2003 Lexus RX300

○ Not enough data

2003 Lexus RX300
RENDERED 2026-08-02T14:05:05.885Z

Only 25 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 25 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2003: 25 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1997	0
1998	3
1999	221
2000	216
2001	169
2002	88
2003	25

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 25 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

5 of 25 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

HAD CAR IN DRIVEWAY UNUSED FOR MONTH OR TWO. CAR SEEMED TO BE IDLING AT HIGHER THAN USUAL SPEED AFTER STARTING (@2300 RPM). VEHICLE JERKED A BIT AT EACH STOP SIGN AS IF PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141103

POWER TRAIN

5 of 25 total reports mention: power train.

CRASH INJURY

AIR BAGS

3 of 25 total reports mention: air bags.

Show complaint excerpts

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN CAR IS RUNNING AND WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED OUT THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD INFLATE AT ANY TIME. DON'T HAVE THE MONEY IN BUDGET TO HAVE DONE RIGHT NOW.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171104

EQUIPMENT

2 of 25 total reports mention: equipment.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 25 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Lexus RX300 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (5 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (5 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (3 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.

FAQ

Is the 2003 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 2003 Lexus RX300?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Lexus RX300 have?

3 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.