2003 Lexus Rx300 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (5) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (5) · Air Bags (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Rx300 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 (54)
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.
Equipment 2022-04-13 · Safety Recall 22 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lexus safety recall and service campaign - technician certification requirements 4.13.2022
Wheels 2022-01-12 · Lexus PRO19-02 - · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pol: this consolidated tire warranty guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by lexus. this information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. customers can find this information o
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant 2020-08-05 · L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. this bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty
Power Train:manual Transmission:lubricant 2020-08-05 · L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. this bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired accordingly and will be covered under warranty
Steering 2020-06-23 · L-SB-0174-08 Obs · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: obsolete notice june 23, 2020: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see l-sb-0023-20.
Wheels 2020-06-23 · L-SB-0023-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: supersession notice the information contained in this bulletin supersedes service bulletin nos. st004-01, su001-08, and l-sb-0174-08. the aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before
Showing the 6 most recent of 54 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-03-07 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System · 106,000 mi“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 a…”
2017-11-04 · Air 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.…”
2016-12-15 · Service Brakes · 320,000 mi“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…”
2015-02-17 · Air Bags · 113,000 mi“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…”
2015-01-26 · Air Bags · 180,000 mi“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 mileag…”
2014-11-03 · Vehicle Speed Control · 156,500 mi“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 …”
2012-08-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 68,000 mi“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), bu…”
2011-05-20 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 138,000 mi“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. …”
2011-05-15 · Vehicle Speed Control · 117,000 mi“the vehicle suddenly lost transmission on the road and was rolling freely. the gears does not work anymore and the vehicle rolls as if its in neutral. when search the internet i looked at lot of the customers complaining about exact same thing, about this vehicle having transmission issues especially for rx300. no wonder toyota has this many recal…”
2010-02-25 · Vehicle Speed Control · 14,070 mi · 💥 crash“tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus rx300. while driving 10 mph out of the parking lot the vehicle accelerated and he lost control. as he swerved the vehicle he hit three small trees, a wooden fence, and a brick wall before the vehicle stopped. the ambulance and police department came because he was trapped in the vehicle. he was taken to the hospita…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.