LEXUS RX300 · model year

2002 LEXUS RX300

106 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002LEXUSRX300 carries 106 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 1 fire, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 RX300 is power train:automatic transmission with 18 filings, followed by power train (17) and vehicle speed control (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2002 RX300. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

106
Complaints
22
Crashes
1
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

106 filings

Crashes Reported

22 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION18
POWER TRAIN17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10
AIR BAGS7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
TIRES:SIDEWALL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY2
WHEELS2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1

Recalls (5)

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

06E02600023/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

08E02000006/03/2008

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

POLYMER PROCESS DEVELOPMENT IS RECALLING 931 UNITS OF BACK GLASS, P/NO. FB20415ZPY, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1999-2004 LEXUS RX300 VEHICLES. THE GLASS FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE AUTOMOTIVE GLAZING MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, GLAZING MATERIALS

Recent Complaints

20181031POWER TRAIN

SUDDENLY MY GEARS BEGAN SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, PARK, REVERSE AND INTO !ST AND 2ND GEAR WITHOUT LOCKING INTO ANY OF THEM. NO MATTER WHAT THE SHIFTER MOVES FREELY. MY CAR ONLY MOVES FORWARD NO MATTER WHICH GEAR IT'S IN, INCLUDING REVERSE. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT STILL KEEPS MOVING FORWARD. IN ORDER TO PARK AND STOP, I HAVE TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE (UNKNOWN) IT JUST SUDDENLY HAPPENED ON A TOLL ROAD AT THE PAY STATION. ALSO, MY INTERNAL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN I OPEN ANY DOOR, INCLUDING THE TRUNK LIGHTS. MY RADIO DOES NOT CHANGE STATIONS AND KNOB DOES NOTHING, RECEPTION IS POOR & COMES AND GOES. I CANNOT GET ANY AM STATIONS.

Mileage: 142,128

20181031UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUDDENLY MY GEARS BEGAN SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, PARK, REVERSE AND INTO !ST AND 2ND GEAR WITHOUT LOCKING INTO ANY OF THEM. NO MATTER WHAT THE SHIFTER MOVES FREELY. MY CAR ONLY MOVES FORWARD NO MATTER WHICH GEAR IT'S IN, INCLUDING REVERSE. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT STILL KEEPS MOVING FORWARD. IN ORDER TO PARK AND STOP, I HAVE TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE (UNKNOWN) IT JUST SUDDENLY HAPPENED ON A TOLL ROAD AT THE PAY STATION. ALSO, MY INTERNAL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN I OPEN ANY DOOR, INCLUDING THE TRUNK LIGHTS. MY RADIO DOES NOT CHANGE STATIONS AND KNOB DOES NOTHING, RECEPTION IS POOR & COMES AND GOES. I CANNOT GET ANY AM STATIONS.

Mileage: 142,128

20181031EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SUDDENLY MY GEARS BEGAN SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, PARK, REVERSE AND INTO !ST AND 2ND GEAR WITHOUT LOCKING INTO ANY OF THEM. NO MATTER WHAT THE SHIFTER MOVES FREELY. MY CAR ONLY MOVES FORWARD NO MATTER WHICH GEAR IT'S IN, INCLUDING REVERSE. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT STILL KEEPS MOVING FORWARD. IN ORDER TO PARK AND STOP, I HAVE TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE (UNKNOWN) IT JUST SUDDENLY HAPPENED ON A TOLL ROAD AT THE PAY STATION. ALSO, MY INTERNAL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN I OPEN ANY DOOR, INCLUDING THE TRUNK LIGHTS. MY RADIO DOES NOT CHANGE STATIONS AND KNOB DOES NOTHING, RECEPTION IS POOR & COMES AND GOES. I CANNOT GET ANY AM STATIONS.

Mileage: 142,128

20181016AIR BAGS

LEXUS HAS NOT ASSEMBLED/SECURED THE AIRBAG WIRING PROPER UNDERNEATH OF SEAT AND PROMPTS THE B1140 RIGHT-HAND SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY B1141 LEFT-HAND SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY CODES IN 2002 RX300 MODELS. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE AND CAN BE DEADLY FOR THESE CARS CONSIDERING THE AIRBAGS WANT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE LOSE AND NOT PROPERLY SECURED WIRING. DEALER ASKS $1800 TO GET THIS CORRECTED WHERE AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NEEDS A RECALL FOR BOTH (LEFT/RIGHT) SEATS AIRBAG WIRING/ECM CIRCUITS.

Mileage: 110,000

20181016SEATS

LEXUS HAS NOT ASSEMBLED/SECURED THE AIRBAG WIRING PROPER UNDERNEATH OF SEAT AND PROMPTS THE B1140 RIGHT-HAND SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY B1141 LEFT-HAND SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY CODES IN 2002 RX300 MODELS. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE AND CAN BE DEADLY FOR THESE CARS CONSIDERING THE AIRBAGS WANT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE LOSE AND NOT PROPERLY SECURED WIRING. DEALER ASKS $1800 TO GET THIS CORRECTED WHERE AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NEEDS A RECALL FOR BOTH (LEFT/RIGHT) SEATS AIRBAG WIRING/ECM CIRCUITS.

Mileage: 110,000

20180508ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WINDOWS AND SUNROOF OPENED ON THEIR OWN!!! THE DOORS WERE LOCKED AND NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR. CAR WAS PARKED AND LEFT OVERNIGHT LOCKED AND EMPTY.

Mileage: 92,000

20180307POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK TILL I HEARD GRINDING NOISE THEN I REALIZED CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE ANY MORE THEN IT TOWED AWAY TO MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE TRANSMISSION.

Mileage: 165,000

20180307SERVICE BRAKES

AT 6:30 PM GOING 45 MPH TO MALL AND THE ROAD WAS WET APPLY BRAKE AND THEN CAR START SPINNING WHILE ABS MAKING LOTS OF SOUND.

Mileage: 164,700

20180102ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I HAVE FOR YEARS EXPERIENCED A CHALLENGE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. I HAVE TRIED FOR YEARS TO GET THESE LIGHTS TO REMAIN OFF, BUT WITH EVERY REPAIR, IT COMES BACK ON. I BASICALLY RIDE WITH THESE LIGHTS ON ALMOST ALWAYS FOR YEARS. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I FOUND A WEEK OR TWO AGO, A LETTER FROM LEXUS CONCERNING THIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND I WONDER CAN I STILL HAVE MY VEHICLE CHECKED OUT FOR THIS ABNORMALITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

Mileage: 87,000

20171120CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I ENTERED PARKING LOT AND PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE BARELY GOING. I WAS ALMOST ALL THE WAY INTO SPOT WHEN MY CAR LUNGED UP WITH EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS. I WENT INTO SMALL TREE, DROVE OVER ANOTHER CAR, CAR FLIPPED ON SIDE, THEN FLIPPED OVER ON ROOF AND INTO ANOTHER PARKED CAR. ENGINE OVERTOOK THE BRAKES. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER WITH CAR EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED BY LEXUS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OR FELT THIS CAR LIKE THIS BEFORE.

Mileage: 197,500

20170727ENGINE

ENGINE KNOCKS ON ACCELERATION, BURNS OIL BAD, HARD TO START, TRANSMMISION WILL NOT AUTO SHIFT INTO HIGH RANGE ON FREEWAY, CAR LURCHES WHEN GETTING UP TO FREEWAY SPEED

Mileage: 65,000

20170727FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ENGINE KNOCKS ON ACCELERATION, BURNS OIL BAD, HARD TO START, TRANSMMISION WILL NOT AUTO SHIFT INTO HIGH RANGE ON FREEWAY, CAR LURCHES WHEN GETTING UP TO FREEWAY SPEED

Mileage: 65,000

20170727POWER TRAIN

ENGINE KNOCKS ON ACCELERATION, BURNS OIL BAD, HARD TO START, TRANSMMISION WILL NOT AUTO SHIFT INTO HIGH RANGE ON FREEWAY, CAR LURCHES WHEN GETTING UP TO FREEWAY SPEED

Mileage: 65,000

20170726POWER TRAIN

TAKATA RECALL, LEXUS TRANSMISSION IS MESSING UP NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. THERE IS A BUNCH OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION MESSING UP AND NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT COULD FAIL AT ANY GIVEN TIME. SO PLEASE I ASK YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND AT LEAST TRY TO HELP THANK YOU

20170123UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE, REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL/CREEP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WHEN THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IS LEFT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN THE SUV IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. I STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THE SUV IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IS LEFT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AS THE SUV WOULD ROLL/CREEP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND RESULTING IN BODILY HARM. TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE I NOW MAKE SURE THAT THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IS LEFT IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN WHEN I SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS IF MY FAMILY MEMBERS DRIVE THE SUV AND DO NOT PUT THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION AND HAVE THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED DOWN THE VEHICLE WILL/CREEP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS IF THE SHIFT LOCK SELECTOR LEVER IS LEFT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LEXUS DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLE

Mileage: 92,500

20160829UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY LEXUS HEADLIGHT LENSES BECOME SCRATCHED WHICH DIMINISHES DISTANCE ILLUMINATED AND BRIGHTNESS OF ILLUMINATION. OBJECTS ON THE ROAD ARE NOT VISIBLE AS QUICKLY OR AS CLEARLY AS THEY ARE WITH CLEAR (UNSCRATCHED) LENSES. THESE DEFECTIVE PLASTIC LENSES THAT ARE SCRATCHED UP BY PARTICLES OF THE ROAD MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PEOPLE, ANIMALS, OBJECTS AND VEHICLES BEING HIT AT NIGHT. THE DEALERS TELL ME TO HAVE TO LENSES BUFFED AND PAY FOR THAT MYSELF. WHEN THE SCRATCHES ARE FIRST BUFFED OUT, I HAVE IMPROVED SAFETY AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE ILLUMINATION IS BRIGHTER AND VISIBILITY DISTANCE IS GREATER. THE COST OF REPLACING THE HEADLIGHTS IS $851 EACH FOR MY VEHICLE. THE REPLACEMENT HAS THE SAME DEFECT AS MY EXISTING HEADLIGHT. MY VEHICLE IS 14 YEARS OLD, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY MY CAR COMPANY TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT IN ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THERE IS A SERIOUS NEED TO RETURN TO GLASS HEADLIGHTS SINCE THEY DON'T SCRATCH AND LAST, IN MOST CASES, THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I

20160225ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

DRIVING TO SCHOOL DIE SHIFT ....SHOP SAYS AUTO TRANSMISSION DEAD ...COST $3500....GOOD MAINTAINED SERVICES.....ALSO CRAZY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM....MUST RECALL AUTO TRANSMISSIONS

Mileage: 27

20160225ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING TO SCHOOL DIE SHIFT ....SHOP SAYS AUTO TRANSMISSION DEAD ...COST $3500....GOOD MAINTAINED SERVICES.....ALSO CRAZY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM....MUST RECALL AUTO TRANSMISSIONS

Mileage: 27

20160225POWER TRAIN

DRIVING TO SCHOOL DIE SHIFT ....SHOP SAYS AUTO TRANSMISSION DEAD ...COST $3500....GOOD MAINTAINED SERVICES.....ALSO CRAZY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM....MUST RECALL AUTO TRANSMISSIONS

Mileage: 27

20160222POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO WORK AND LAGS AT FIRST AND SECOND GEAR.

Mileage: 111,400

Compare 2002LEXUSRX300 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 LEXUS RX300 have?
The 2002 LEXUS RX300 has 106 NHTSA complaints, 22 crashes, 1 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 LEXUS RX300?
Yes, the 2002 LEXUS RX300 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LEXUS RX300?
The most-complained component for the 2002 LEXUS RX300 is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 18 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2002 LEXUS RX300 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.