MYRModel Year Report

2002 Lexus RX300

○ Not enough data
2002 Lexus RX300
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:59:45.763Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Lexus RX300 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1997: 0 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 221 complaints 1999 2000: 216 complaints 2000 2001: 169 complaints 2001 2002: 88 complaints 2002 2003: 25 complaints 2003
2002: 88 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19970
19983
1999221
2000216
2001169
200288
200325

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 19%

19% of complaints: power train — 17 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK TILL I HEARD GRINDING NOISE THEN I REALIZED CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE ANY MORE THEN IT TOWED AWAY TO MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180307

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14%

14% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I ENTERED PARKING LOT AND PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE BARELY GOING. I WAS ALMOST ALL THE WAY INTO SPOT WHEN MY CAR LUNGED UP WITH EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171120

SUBJECT: SUDDEN ACCELERATION LEXUS 2002--NEAR FATAL CRASH COMMENTS: ON 3.16.2012 AT 8 :30 AM I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. THE CAR WAS STOPPING IN A PARKING SPACE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140514

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LEXUS RX 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120822

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON FRONT IMPACT WITH A TREE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120408

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080418 — visibility

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 AUTOMOTI

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.

Campaign 08E020000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Lexus RX300 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E020000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2002 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 2002 Lexus RX300?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Lexus RX300 have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.