The 2003 Lexus RX300 has 3 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (7 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints25filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
2003 Lexus RX300 in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Visibility › Glass, side/rear
NHTSA recall 08E020000 · Mar 6, 2008 · 931 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE INJURIES RESULTING FROM IMPACT TO GLAZING SURFACES.
Fix: POLYMER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLYMER TOLL-FREE AT 800-510-9879.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E049000 · May 24, 2006 · 27,176 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006 · 61,944 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2003 Lexus RX 300 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
RX 300
18mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
RX 300 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission; Axle assembly
7
1
0
2
97,963 mi
Vehicle speed control
5
3
0
1
38,000 mi
Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices; Windshield
3
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Ignition › Switch
3
1
0
0
68,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine
3
0
0
0
—
Air bags
3
0
0
0
—
Equipment
2
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
2
0
0
0
—
Suspension Rear
1
0
0
1
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 6, 2022 · 106,000 milesEngine The contact owns a 2003 Lexus RX300. The contact stated that the HVAC system was inoperable. Additionally, the VSC and check engine warning lights were illuminated while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed at an AutoZone with a catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
Aug 16, 2017Air bags AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN CAR IS RUNNING AND WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED OUT THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD INFLATE AT ANY TIME. DON'T HAVE THE MONEY IN BUDGET TO HAVE DONE RIGHT NOW.
Oct 26, 2016 · 320,000 milesService brakes I OWN A 2003 LEXUS RX300. AFTER I HAD CAME FROM A COMPLETED STOP WHILE DEPRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO LOCK WITH THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE AV PUMP FAILED OR THAT IT MAYBE SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURERS WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320,000.
Mar 27, 2014 · 113,000 milesAir bags AIR BAG "PROBLEM" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS ON, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. *TR
Jan 26, 2015 · 180,000 milesAir bags TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIRBAG FAILURE WAS DUE TO WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Nov 1, 2014 · 156,500 milesVehicle speed control HAD CAR IN DRIVEWAY UNUSED FOR MONTH OR TWO. CAR SEEMED TO BE IDLING AT HIGHER THAN USUAL SPEED AFTER STARTING (@2300 RPM). VEHICLE JERKED A BIT AT EACH STOP SIGN AS IF PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. TOOK VEHICLE ON ROAD AT 35 TO 40 MPH, TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING AT A MODEST PACE TO ABOVE 50. GLANCED AT FLOORMAT (NOT TOUCHING ACCELERATOR), PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE REVVED TO HIGH RPM THAN CAME BACK TO NORMAL. PUT BACK IN GEAR AND DROVE SHORT DISTANCE HOME. *TR
Jul 1, 2010 · 68,000 milesElectrical system I CALLED MY LOCAL LEXUS THREE TIMES PRIOR TO JUNE, 2012 REGARDING LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. I HAD A RECURRING ISSUE WHERE THE CHECK ENGINE AND VSC WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. EACH TIME THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT TOLD ME THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF WHEN I REFUELED. THREE TIMES THE LIGHTS DID GO OFF (AFTER SEVERAL DAYS), BUT ONCE I HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER RESET THEM. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN THE DEALER TELLING ME I NEEDED THE AIR FUEL AND AIR FLOW SENSORS REPLACED, A REPAIR WHICH COST OVER $750.00. AS AN ASIDE, EVERY TIME I CALLED TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE LIGHTS BEING ILLUMINATED MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND NO REPAIRS WERE SUGGESTED. AFTER THE WARRANTY…
May 17, 2011 · 138,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission DURING NORMAL DRIVING, WITH NO SIGNS OF FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD LOSE POWER WHEN PRESSED ON GAS, IT ACTED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL---ENGINE REVS UP, BUT CAR DOES NOT MOVE. THEN WHEN SWITCHED TO SECOND GEAR OR L, TRANSMISSION STILL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP, IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE PLANETARY GEAR BROKE. SEARCHED ONLINE LEXUS FORUM, FOUND OUT VERY MANY PEOPLE REPORTED THE SAME FAILURE IN TRANSMISSION. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
