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Vehicle safety record

2001 Lexus RX Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2001 Lexus RX with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (14) and the wheels & tires (4). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2000 has 29.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical RX year, for its age

#165 most complained-about 2001 vehicle

Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 2001 Lexus RX problems

Share of all 19 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2001 Lexus RX

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Lexus RX. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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19 complaints about the 2001 Lexus RX

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

AirbagsDriver assistanceCrash1 injury

on [[redacted]] traveling NB on [[redacted]] during a green light to make a left turn WB on [[redacted]] the defendant ran a red light and broadsided my 2001 RX300 Lexus and was cited. The airbags did not go off, and my head hit the windshield. The defendant was cited. I filed a claim with Toyota , case no [[redacted]] who inspected the totaled car at the yard tow. They stated they were unable to read the black box. They declined. There were side airbags and front air bags which should have deployed and did not....

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NOTE: Picture of inside of car, the car seat moved all the way to the drivers door - no airbags deployed INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Air bags · Lane departure · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11584489
Wheels & tires

225 / 70 R 16 A tire shop inspected my tires and said that all 4 of my belts are separating and indicated to me a convex shape that peaks in the center of the steel belt. These tires were purchased new some years ago when they were balanced, struts replaced, and full alignment, yet at speeds 55+ the car made a vibration that no shop was able to identify. Yesterday I hit a nail in the center of the tread, but it punctured in a very uncharacteristic way. This prompted me to take it to a tire shop where they said...

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"I've not ever seen something like this before where the belts are separating on all tires like this." I drive ~12K miles per year in residential areas and have kept my tires at 31psi. Out of curiosity, I looked online for recalls and found this same tire (but in different sizes) having recalls for this exact reason. Might it be possibly that my size too should be included in the recall but was somehow overlooked due to being a less popular size?

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 11556845
Wheels & tires

vehicle parked, came out next morning, tire had 5" split on sidewall, completely deflated original purchase date 12/11/21 tires have 5320 miles on them from new tire sidewall failed 5/15/2023 tire size 225 70R 16 mastercraft courser HSX tires available for inspection upon request

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 11522860
Transmission & drivetrainWheels & tires

I bought a car from a private party/dealer only to find out that repairs needed are more than cars worth, then I checked car fax to find out that mileage had been turned back a lot.. This person lists 3-4 cars for sale a week and I can't find any one that wants to help. I know I am stuck with car unfortunately it was for my handicapped son that started college recently and used all his savings for car. I found that this person goes under several names and only location I have is where I bought the car. His home...

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address is unknown at this time. Attempts have been made to contact him where I bought the car but every thing failed and person is still selling cars today. I forgot I was suppose to buy a 2003 but turned out a 2001, if you could direct me to somebody in il. That can help I would appreciate it. Every one tells me to find a lawyer but all my searching came up zero plus no home address and no help from local law. Been 2 months of digging and searching. Please help *tr

Filed Incident Power train · Wheels · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11297334
Other & unknown

I bought a car from what I believe to be a private party but not sure because having trouble narrowing down his correct name. He is very secretive. After the purchase I found that the odometer had been changed and my only recourse is to sue him. It is a long story but short version is I got scammed and now stuck with a car that will take more money to fix than it's worth.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11288875
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise control

The transmission was rebuilt on 11/15/13 at 242,600 miles and has gone out again at 250,379. Many others on the internet have had similar problems with their rx300 transmissions. My brother also has an rx300 and his transmission failed too. The planetary gears are often the problem. There should be a recall by lexus to deal with this defective design. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10663511
Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission failed at a low milage, and the repair cost is more than a car. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10532983
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

I was just getting off the highway and my car stopped moving. My transmission totally went out with no warning. If this would have happened moments sooner I could have been in a terrible accident as I was going 60 mph. I tried to contact lexus, but they will not admit to this problem or help repair it or recall it. They say that it isn't a know issue but it is and several people have tried to get help with it and lexus will say no. Be careful, it will happen with no warning. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10511088
Transmission & drivetrain

In 2001 complainant bought new rx 300. In accordance with scheduled maintenance all work has been done. No evidence of a possible transmission problem until saturday while merging on interstate vehicle would not shift/accelerator beyond 30 mpg. Immediately exit highway drove home. Parked vehicle for couple hours drove to store through city streets then on the way home vehicle would not go beyond 20 mph. Exited off main street. Made the turn then vehicle completely stopped moving. It is obviously a...

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hazardous and dangerous situation when the vehicle completely stops moving, or does not accelerate while merging. Although no person was injured the potential of injury is great. I took the vehicle to the lexus dealer to hear that it is in fact a transmission problem that needs replacement for 4k. There should be a recall on this defective item or a class action lawsuit filed. *Jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10204640
Transmission & drivetrain

Hesitant shifting was noticed infrequently for a day or two. Then upon startup was unable to shift into reverse until accelerator was depressed very far. At that point transmission jarred into reverse and began backing, then tried to shift back into drive and upon driving forward a loud grinding was heard. Dealer investigated and says it will need full replacement of the transmission for $5500. *Jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10202514
Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission whinning noise at start, and slipping once warmed up. Dealer says the transmission front pump needs replaced, quoted $4247 for lexus remamufactured transmission replacement. *Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10194204
Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission failed, symptoms were that it would not back up. Transmission locked and the car had to be dragged, wheels not turning onto a tow truck flat bed. Car had 90,000 service including change of transmission fluid and check less than 6,000 miles ago. It had also had its 60,000 service and all important services as well. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10193980
Transmission & drivetrain

Parked the car at a parking lot for 5 minutes, came back and the car won't go in reverse, checked fluid level, it was fine.. Car would go forward, but not backwards.. Tried pushing the car while in neutral so I can drive home, all 4 wheels were locked, I thought I don't have enough strength to push so I had 2 more people push with me, but the car won't budge. Even tried pushing the car while running and in neutral as well as not running and in neutral and all other gear selections, but to no avail. Even the tow truck guy had to use soapy water to slide the car up the flat bed. Vehicle has only 68000 miles approximately. *Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10188238
Transmission & drivetrain

LEXUS RX 300 TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL. *JB

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10182798
Transmission & drivetrain

I had a transmission failure on my 2001 lexus rx 300 vin [[redacted]] while driving. The car suddenly went into nuetral and slowed to a stop on the road putting myself and my family in danger. It's my understanding that this is a known issue and that complaints have already been filed. *Js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10177050
Wheels & tires

Contact stated that she was driving on i-495 @ a speed of 60 mph on a sunny day. Her tires blew out on her this was on the right passenger side. The entire tire came off the rim. The car had to be towed to the dealer where a new tire was purchase. The old tire was left at the dealer. She need to know why her tires just blew out her. Will someone call her to find out what can prevent this from happening again.

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10176129
Transmission & drivetrain

2001 Lexus rx-300 transmission failed just before 84,000 miles, disabling vehicle on the highway. Warranty did not cover repair. *Jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10166624
Transmission & drivetrain

Premature transmission failure> replaced transmission feb 06 still not shifting after 3 tries serviced the trans - miracle fix? May 06 dirty fluid reported by another shop. Lexus solution service again within 4,500 miles of the trans replacement. No further action taken. *Jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10156885
Transmission & drivetrain

While driving at a slow speed the lexus lurched forward, and then became inoperable. Transmission failed at 86,000 miles. The car was recently serviced for the transmission maintenance at 80,000 miles. Apparently this is a common early failure, and it should be recalled. *Jb

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10155095

Lexus RX: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20050100-A
20040100-A
200119010Transmission & drivetrainC
200029010Transmission & drivetrainD
199935010Transmission & drivetrainD
All RX years

2001 Lexus RX vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2001 Lexus RX

Does the 2001 Lexus RX have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Lexus RX right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lexus RX?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (14), wheels & tires (4), airbags (1).

How many complaints has the 2001 Lexus RX had?

19 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 11, 2006 and the latest on April 22, 2024. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 2001 Lexus RX a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 49 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Lexus RX year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Lexus RX years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2001 Lexus RX has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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