2002 Lexus RX300
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.
- Complaints
- 88
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2002
None on file
44% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 88 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 221 |
| 2000 | 216 |
| 2001 | 169 |
| 2002 | 88 |
| 2003 | 25 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
44% · 39 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.
Show complaint excerpts
I drive a 2002 Lexus RX300. I was smelling a burning odor from below my car and called up to have it checked by the Lexus service. They said they couldn't see me for a week and made an appointment to take the car in for check up.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-30
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, 2018-03-07
Vehicle would roll backward when stopping on a hill . Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-23
Vehicle speed control
17% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.
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, 2017-11-20
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, 2014-05-14
While going slow the car accelerates suddenly, already this happened twice and both times I hit the wall.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-07
Engine and engine cooling
14% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing exhaust system and cooling system.
Air bags
11% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
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, 2012-08-22
Both driver and passenger air bags failed to deploy upon front impact with a tree.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-08
Electrical system
6% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Lexus RX300 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 39 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 15 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 12 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 08E020000 · Visibility
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
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, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Lexus RX300 have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.