2000 Lexus RX
Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 35 |
| 2000 | 29 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 40 |
| 2005 | 27 |
| 2006 | 31 |
| 2007 | 58 |
| 2008 | 69 |
| 2009 | 34 |
| 2010 | 75 |
| 2011 | 29 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2021 | 69 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 52 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 29 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
20 of 29 total reports mention: power train.
Show complaint excerpts
2000 LEXUS RX300 WITH 85K MILES -- TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. DEALER HAS SAID IT NEEDS A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE SINCE FOUND MANY, MANY SIMILAR STORIES ON VARIOUS WEB SITES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20060810
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVE GEAR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED. NEITHER THE DRIVE NOR REVERSE GEAR COULD BE ENGAGED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20060727
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI report, 20060517
5 of 29 total reports mention: power train.
Show complaint excerpts
2000 RX300 DO NOT SHIFT INTO THE 3 GEAR WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1 &2 BUT NOT 3. THE ENGINE SPEED IS HIGH AND DOESN'T SHIFT. WE HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE, TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT WITH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200509
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20130129
TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A WHINING SOUND AT CERTAIN SPEEDS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF EARLIER. TOYOTA DEALER CONFIRMED ODD NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION, BUT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO APART FROM REMOVING TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120903
1 of 29 total reports mentions: service brakes.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle stalls when giving it gas then lunges forward all at once â¦.brake light is on
NHTSA ODI report, 20220804
1 of 29 total reports mentions: seat belts.
1 of 29 total reports mentions: exterior lighting.
SAFETY TIMELINE
No recalls on file for this model year.
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2000 Lexus RX — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (1 reports on file for this year).
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2000 Lexus RX reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Lexus RX?
The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 69% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2000 Lexus RX have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.