10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
99,046 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Lexus RX 300 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2002 Lexus RX 300 Owner Comments

problem #19

Jul 232021

RX 300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission wouldnt shift all of the sudden on the high way no prior mechanical issues was t boned and broke my leg abs and trac off lights mechanic says total transmission failure 121000 miles and this is the second owner of this vehicle

- Biloxi, MS, USA

problem #18

Oct 302018

RX 300

  • 142,128 miles
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.

- La Porte, TX, USA

problem #17

Mar 012018

RX 300

  • 165,000 miles
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.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #16

Jul 032011

RX 300

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Commerce Twp, MI, USA

problem #15

Jan 172017

RX 300

  • miles
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

- Weirton, WV, USA

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problem #14

Feb 242016

RX 300

  • 27 miles
Driving to school die shift....shop says auto transmission dead...cost $3500....good maintained services.....also crazy electrical problem....must recall auto transmissions

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #13

Feb 222016

RX 300

  • 111,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission failure, the transmission fails to work and lags at first and second gear.

- Antelope, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 012015

RX 300

  • 198,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Lexus RX300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to jerk and failed to accelerate as the vehicle stability control and traction control off warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the throttle body and E- solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000. The VIN was not available.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #11

Sep 142012

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
Catastrophic transmission failure at 48,000 miles.

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

problem #10

Jul 142012

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 115,950 miles
I was out of town I was driving, nothing was wrong with my Rx at all. It's a 2002 Lexus Rx 300, then all of the sudden I go to take off at the stoplight and it was hesitating to take off. My transmission is now completely gone. No warning at all. If I take my vehicle over 35 mph is jerks. Transmission slips at stop lights, (with no incline). 115000 miles, and the tranny goes out. I do believe it has been replaced before I purchased the car as well. Great job Lexus, not. I thought going with a Lexus I would have a quality vehicle. Man was I wrong.

- Kenton, OH, USA

problem #9

Aug 202011

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 14,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm writing to make you aware of a serious safety issue with my vehicle. It started awhile ago, I heard a whining noise & hesitation, had Lexus check it out. They said & documented in my profile it was my tire treads. I got the best Goodyear tires for that vehicle at the time fortera's. noise rating I believe is 8 out of 10 (10 being quietest). I let it go & had many more oil changes since then & no mention of any fluids needing to be changed. My car has always been dealer serviced wherever I lived. Past 4yrs been @ thompson Lexus,50 swamp road, doylestown, pa 18902. VIN:[xxx]. I change my oil religiously every 8wks or so (my oil is exceptionally clean like a new engine) nothing was ever said about my fluids. None of my paperwork shows recommendations of any fluids nor were there any verbal recommendations about fluid changes.they did recommend a timing belt which I did but they also stated that I should have my water pump done as well even though nothing is/was wrong with it. So, I did what they said. But things got worse. Usually when I am at a stop light/sign &/or making a left turn from a stopped position & im pulling out into intersection, the rpms tend to go up but my vehicle doesn't accelerate/respond with the pressing of the gas pedal. With this ongoing intermittent acceleration response, im scared but I need the car to get family around. I had another oil change & I told them to change transmission fluid. They advised me the whining was the transmission & Lexus dealership did not recommend that the trans oil to be changed & it is a waste of my $100. I got it verbally & in writing on my service receipt. I believe the issue at hand (based on research) is the transmission & directly related to workmanship (poor design) & also the lack of knowledge, of technicians, to check fluids & recommend changing certain fluids at certain times. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Willow Grove, PA, USA

problem #8

Oct 042011

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 133,077 miles
While driving out of the parking space transmission started making very loud noise and then got totally stuck and vehicle could not move. It was incredibly difficult to load and especially unload the car from the flatbed truck. My mechanic evaluated the transmission and it was beyond repair and needed to be replaced. Transmission fluid was totally black. Of note, the manufacturer's sticker on the transmission specifically indicated not to change transmission fluid.

- Barrington, RI, USA

problem #7

Jan 272012

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
Complete failure/breakdown of automatic transmission powertrain. Transmission had to be replaced.

- Oakland, FL, USA

problem #6

Dec 162011

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The transmission totally failed. Vehicle would not move in any gear. Rpms pegged out at 6K. Had the vehicle towed to northtown Lexus in amherst, NY. They agreed that the transmission was totally shot and would cost approximately $5,500 to replace, just for the part. I subsequently had the vehicle towed to Continental transmission in buffalo, NY, where it was rebuilt for $3,100. I understand from posts at the Lexus owners club of usa that RX300 transmissions are prone to failure as they were not designed for the added stresses imposed by and SUV.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #5

Nov 102011

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 107,085 miles
Transmission failed without prior warning while driving at 25 mph. Fortunately, was close to home and able to make it back to my driveway. Had car towed into shop and they advised me of a total "transmission failure". all services performed on the vehicle, no unusual or harsh driving condition on vehicle.

- Alamo, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 072011

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 169,000 miles
When I was driving three light turned on at the same time. The check engine light, vsc and trac off light. I went to a mechanic and he stated there is something wrong with the solenoid. Took it to the mechanic to check the oil pan and the stolenois is getting clogged because the transmission is shot.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 022011

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 133,000 miles
Transmission has failed. Transmission failed on the highway with a max speed of 70 mph. Fortunately there were no injuries. I ended up calling a tow truck to tow me to a transmission shop where it sit. I am now reading about the many who has suffered and is suffering transmission failure. Why isn't the government acting on forcing Lexus to recall and fix this issue? this is not an isolated problem. First and last Lexus.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #2

Jul 252010

RX 300 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
2002 Lexus RX300 85000 miles the steel lines running to the transmission oil cooler started to leak. Upon inspection they were found to be rusted through. The line must be in a bad place and receive road spray.

- Vermilion, OH, USA

problem #1

May 182009

RX 300

  • 150,000 miles
2002 Lexus RX300 transmission failure. The tranny failed at only 150,000 miles. The replacement was $4200. No transmission should fail that soon, and nothing short of a bentley should cost that much for a rebuilt.

- Sammamish, WA, USA

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