VehicleVerdict

2002 Lexus Rx300 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2002 Lexus Rx300 sits mid-pack among Rx300 years: 106 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 106, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 39 reports (37% of the total).

106

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Rx300 years?

Rx300 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted268 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 268 complaints2000: 247 complaints2001: 189 complaints2002: 106 complaints2003: 33 complaints
Rx300 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rx300 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Lexus Rx300 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3937%
Speed Control1514%
Engine1312%
Airbags109%
Electrical System77%
Other44%
Brakes44%
Tires & Wheels44%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Fuel System22%
Seat Belts22%
Lighting11%
Body & Structure11%
Seats11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2002 Lexus Rx300 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E020000Visibility & WipersMarch 6, 2008 · 931 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE INJURIES RESULTING FROM IMPACT TO GLAZING SURFACES.

Remedy

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON EARLY MODEL LEXUS RX300 FROM 1997 TO 2003. I OWN A 2002 RX300 AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES. IT HAPPENED WITH NO NOTICE CAUSING MY ENGINE TO SLOW ON THE ROAD AND THEN WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I SEEM TO BE A LUCKY ONE AS I READ THOUSANDS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 15, 2011 · crash

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 10, 2017 · crash

“WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN MY OFFICE PARKING LOT, I HAD AN UNATTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR LUNGED OVER THE CURB, UP A SLIGHT INCLINE, HIT A SMALL TREE WHICH KNOCKED DOWN THE PERIMETER FENCE. I CALLED THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE ME AN 800 NUMBER TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 11, 2011 · crash

“THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION OF 25 MPH, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE UPPER HARNESS OF THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD THE CONSUMER IN PLACE. THE CONSUMERS CHEST HIT UP AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 14, 2005 · crash

“HAVE GONE THROUGH 4 BATTERIES -- 3 WITHIN 3 MONTHS. FLETCHER JONES DEALERSHIP IN LAS VEGAS, NV KEEPS INSISTING NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE (LEXUS RX300-2002) + SIMPLY REPLACES THE DEAD BATTERY. LEXUS REGIONAL SERVICE NEVER SEEMS ABLE TO REACH THE DEALERSHIP. NO ONE HAS ANY IDEA OR EXPLANATION WHY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 26, 2005

2002 Lexus Rx300 — common questions

Is the 2002 Lexus Rx300 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Rx300: 106 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 Rx300 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (39 complaints), speed control (15 complaints), engine (13 complaints).

Does the 2002 Lexus Rx300 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Lexus Rx300. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus Rx300 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rx300 years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001. The cleanest record among Rx300 years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.