Reliability & cost of ownership
Lexus RX300 Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Lexus RX300? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Lexus RX300 problems by model year
25 recall entries across 5 model years and 722 owner complaints across 6 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining model year — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 RX300 | 3 | 25 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2002 RX300 | 5 | 88 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2001 RX300 | 5 | 169 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2000 RX300 | 5 | 216 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1999 RX300 | 7 | 221 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1998 RX300 | Not confirmed | 3 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Lexus RX300, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- power train435 complaints
- engine and engine cooling71 complaints
- vehicle speed control65 complaints
- air bags36 complaints
- electrical system27 complaints
- service brakes, hydraulic20 complaints
- seat belts16 complaints
- engine16 complaints