2002 Lexus Rx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Tires (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Rx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (28)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0022-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0021-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lexus vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film withi
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0020-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0024-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · L-SB-0022-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 28 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-30 · Unknown Or Other“ i want to raise concern about the safety issue and health issues relating to the new led headlights on cars now. in the morning and evenings, i regularly encounter these extremely bright headlights. it's a big distraction and my driving visual field is impacted by these lights. i would like to see this addressed and resolved! please advise. since…”
2024-09-06 · Air Bags · 190,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx300. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light flashed on the instrument panel. neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 190,000.…”
2021-11-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the system component that malfunctioned was the fuel tank overfill check valve, also referred to the rollover valve located in the top of the gas tank. the valve is suppose to prevent any fuel purging or fuel leaking during a rollover accident. unfortunately, the valve can malfunction during normal refueling without the owner being aware. for a…”
2021-09-01 · Tires“4 new tyres were installed by firestone but driver side wore out despite balancing rotation, alignment performed during install. tyreplus sister concern replaced with new tyre and prorated as the tyre was at fault. same tyre blew out on the road. the tread, side all etc damaged the wire harness and car went out of control causing damage to suspensi…”
2021-07-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“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…”
2020-02-05 · Unknown Or Other · 115,860 mi“vehicles retractable antenna stopped retracting and antenna motor continues to run trying to pull the telescoping antenna back down. vehicle was stationary, engine had been shut down and keys removed, but antenna motor kept running.…”
2016-06-03 · Engine · 166,000 mi“check engine light kept coming on. took to dealership and they said they repaired problems. was accelerating from stop light on busy city street, highway frontage road and engine died in middle of intersection causing no power or steering and had to come/coast to final stop with no power or steering capabilities. engine died and would not restart. …”
2012-07-15 · Power Train · 115,950 mi“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…”
2011-02-08 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 60,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx. the contact stated that the transmission gears would become stuck. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised that the transmission would need replacing. the vehicle was not under recall. the manufacturer was contacted who stated that they would contact the dealer for more information on th…”
2007-09-20 · Air Bags:side/Window · 40,000 mi · 💥 crash“a car crashed into side door of passenger and side air did not inflate in my 2002 lexus rx 300. my car was then in a roll over and no other air bags deployed including the driver side air bag. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.