MYRModel Year Report

1999 Lexus RX300

○ Not enough data
1999 Lexus RX300
BUILT 2026-10-10

Not enough comparison years on file yet 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
221
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

60% of complaints

Complaints per year

1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 221 complaints 1999 221 2000: 216 complaints 2000 2001: 169 complaints 2001 2002: 88 complaints 2002 2003: 25 complaints 2003
1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 221 complaints 1999 221 2000: 216 complaints 2000 2001: 169 complaints 2001 2002: 88 complaints 2002 2003: 25 complaints 2003
1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 221 complaints 1999 221 2000: 216 complaints 2000 2001: 169 complaints 2001 2002: 88 complaints 2002 2003: 25 complaints 2003

1999: 221 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19970
19983
1999221
2000216
2001169
200288
200325

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

60% · 132 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

CRASHFIREINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Air bags

7% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Injuries to chest, abdomen, knees, wrist due to air bags non deployment in collision. Obvious front impact damage to vehicle impact estimated @ 40 MPH. No air bag deployment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-09

Consumer was hit by a vehicle on driver's side that was going at approximately 40-50 MPH, causing vehicle to roll over , front and side air bags did not deploy. No warning of defect.manifacturer has been notified .

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-06-01

Driving on highway at 30 MPH, accident occurred, involving impact on driver's left front wheel to the portion of back rear door. Air bags failed to deploy. Dealer states impact was not enough to trigger air bags.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-08-20

Service brakes

6% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

This week I got a flat tire, a screw in tire. One tire shop wouldn't repair it, so I parked the car a few days after they put the full-size spare on it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-06

Vehicle speed control

5% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Lexus RX300. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the rpms suddenly increased and the vehicle accelerated to speeds above 85 MPH. During the incident, flames were seen coming from the exhaust.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-26

Also filed under Engine

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Lexus RX300. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was engaged slightly toprepare for a turn when the vehicle failed to reduce speed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-03

Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration while backing into the car port, the accelerator pedal stuck ,causing the vehicle to crash through a wall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-30

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1999-02-16Exterior lighting99V011000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The headlights and taillights may not automatically illuminate in low ambient light when the headlight switch is placed in the "Auto" Position.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a modified body electronic control unit.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1999-02-16Service brakes, hydraulic99V012000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the optional traction control system. Due to improper design of the rear brake tube distribution, if one of the dual brake lines fails when…

    Remedy: Dealers will install modified brake tubes.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2002-04-30Defect petitionClosed 2002-06-20 Engine seizure
  4. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2008-04-18Visibility08E020000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Lexus RX300 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 132 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V011000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 99V012000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E020000 · Visibility
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1999 Lexus RX300 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 1999 Lexus RX300?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 60% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Lexus RX300 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.