- The problem
- 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 conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2002 Lexus RX300 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 105 complaints about the 2002 Lexus RX300 with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (43) and the acceleration & cruise control (16). Those complaints describe 21 crashes, 1 fire and 16 injuries. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in May 2009 for the headlights. For comparison, the 2001 has 176 and the 2003 has 30.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical RX300 year, for its age
#105 most complained-about 2002 vehicle
- Complaints
- 105
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 21
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 16
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2002 Lexus RX300 problems
Share of all 105 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2002 Lexus RX300 recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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 conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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 automotive glazing material requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 205, Glazing materials.
- The risk
- The purpose of this standard is to reduce injuries resulting from impact to glazing surfaces.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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 not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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 side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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105 complaints about the 2002 Lexus RX300
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.
I want to raise concern about the safety issue and health issues relating to the new LED headlights on cars now. In the morning and evenings, I regularly encounter these extremely bright headlights. It's a big distraction and my driving visual field is impacted by these lights. I would like to see this addressed and resolved! Please advise. Sincerely, [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2002 Lexus RX300. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light flashed on the instrument panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
The system component that malfunctioned was the Fuel Tank Overfill Check Valve, also referred to the Rollover Valve located in the top of the gas tank. The valve is suppose to prevent any fuel purging or fuel leaking during a rollover accident. Unfortunately, the valve can malfunction during normal refueling without the owner being aware. For a few years, I have been smelling fuel fumes during and after refueling. I would sometimes discover a pool of raw fuel under the gas tank and charcoal canister...
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during/after refueling and up to 12 miles later. The vehicle started hesitating, missing and actually stalling after refueling. Three professional mechanics couldn't solve the problem. In an attempt to eliminate this safety issue, I replaced the gas tank, gas filler tube, fuel vapor purge valve and charcoal canister. I finally discovered a tube from the malfunctioning Overfill Valve was sending raw fuel directly to the charcoal canister, filling the charcoal canister and ultimately overflowing onto the ground outside of the vehicle. I decided to cut a hole in the vehicle floor under the rear seat and replace the Fuel Tank Overfill Check Valve. The design of the replacement valve was different from the original and incorporated a float type check valve rather than just the simple diaphragm in the original. Maybe Toyota/Lexus quietly redesigned the valve, but all owners should be aware of the redesign and the vehicles should be recalled. Thousands of these vehicles are still on the road because people love them. These vehicles and the valves are aging and failing. Dangerous fire potential certainly exist. One previous owner did have this problem, I believe, and his vehicle burned to the ground. It's an extreme safety issue not just because of the hesitating/stalling in traffic after refueling, but mostly because of the raw fuel leaking from the charcoal canister under the vehicle right in the immediate vicinity of the hot exhaust and the gas tank.
4 new tyres were installed by Firestone but driver side wore out despite balancing rotation, alignment performed during install. TyrePlus sister concern replaced with new tyre and prorated as the tyre was at fault. Same tyre blew out on the road. The tread, side all etc damaged the wire harness and car went out of control causing damage to suspension and fuel tank. Fuel began to leak. Car is toatled due to several other damages. TyrePlus does not want to take ownership. However they have all records of up to date...
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maintenance. They referred me to Bridgestone wherein I need to submit 2 estimates. Tyre purchase dates maintenence etc. I have secured the tread and parts of the tyre which blew out and they want me to submit that. I am hesitatnt to submit it as they may tamper with the proof I have to fix it.
Transmission wouldnt shift all of the sudden on the high way no prior mechanical issues was t boned and broke my leg abs and trac off lights mechanic says total transmission failure 121000 miles and this is the second owner of this vehicle
Vehicles retractable antenna stopped retracting and antenna motor continues to run trying to pull the telescoping antenna back down. Vehicle was stationary, engine had been shut down and keys removed, but antenna motor kept running.
Suddenly my gears began shifting into neutral, park, reverse and into !St and 2nd gear without locking into any of them. No matter what the shifter moves freely. My car only moves forward no matter which gear it's in, including reverse. I put it into park and it still keeps moving forward. In order to park and stop, I have to use my emergency brake and turn the car off. I do not know the cause (unknown) it just suddenly happened on a toll road at the pay station. Also, my internal lights do not come on when I open any door, including the trunk lights. My radio does not change stations and knob does nothing, reception is poor & comes and goes. I cannot get any am stations.
Lexus has not assembled/secured the airbag wiring proper underneath of seat and prompts the b1140 right-hand side air bag sensor assembly b1141 left-hand side air bag sensor assembly codes in 2002 rx300 models. This is one of the most common problem on this vehicle and can be deadly for these cars considering the airbags want deploy in an accident because of the lose and not properly secured wiring. Dealer asks $1800 to get this corrected where as this is a manufacturing defect. Needs a recall for both (left/right) seats airbag wiring/ecm circuits.
Windows and sunroof opened on their own!!! The doors were locked and no one was in the car. Car was parked and left overnight locked and empty.
At 6:30 pm going 45 mph to mall and the road was wet apply brake and then car start spinning while abs making lots of sound.
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.
I have for years experienced a challenge with the check engine light illuminating. I have tried for years to get these lights to remain off, but with every repair, it comes back on. I basically ride with these lights on almost always for years. I have paid to have it repaired on several occasions. I found a week or two ago, a letter from lexus concerning this check engine light, and I wonder can I still have my vehicle checked out for this abnormality. Thank you for your time.
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. I went into small tree, drove over another car, car flipped on side, then flipped over on roof and into another parked car. Engine overtook the brakes. I am original owner with car extremely well maintained by lexus. I have never heard or felt this car like this before.
Engine knocks on acceleration, burns oil bad, hard to start, transmmision will not auto shift into high range on freeway, car lurches when getting up to freeway speed
Takata recall, lexus transmission is messing up not shifting properly. There is a bunch of complaints about the transmission messing up and no one is doing anything about it. I am scared to drive my car because it could fail at any given time. So please I ask you to look into this problem and at least try to help thank you
When I switch off the engine, remove the ignition key the vehicle will roll/creep forward or backwards when the shift lock selector lever is left in drive or reverse when the suv is parked on an incline. I strongly feel this is a serious safety hazard if the suv is parked on an incline with the shift lock selector lever is left in drive or reverse as the suv would roll/creep forward or backwards and possibly cause an accident and resulting in bodily harm. To be on the safe side I now make sure that the shift lock...
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selector lever is left in the park position and the parking brake pedal is pushed down when I switch off the engine. My main concern is if my family members drive the suv and do not put the shift lock selector lever in the park position and have the parking brake pedal pushed down the vehicle will/creep forward or backwards if the shift lock selector lever is left in drive or reverse. I brought this problem to the attention of the lexus dealer and was told that this problem does not come under a 2002 lexus rx 300 suv recall. The lexus service consultant gave me a quote on 10-10-2017 for $739.89 Plus the cost to re-core a aaa lock and key. This would involve replacing the ignition housing, r&r, part # le45280-33130, description: bracket assy, steeri. I would like your comments on this problem.
My lexus headlight lenses become scratched which diminishes distance illuminated and brightness of illumination. Objects on the road are not visible as quickly or as clearly as they are with clear (unscratched) lenses. These defective plastic lenses that are scratched up by particles of the road may be responsible for people, animals, objects and vehicles being hit at night. The dealers tell me to have to lenses buffed and pay for that myself. When the scratches are first buffed out, I have improved...
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safety at night because the illumination is brighter and visibility distance is greater. The cost of replacing the headlights is $851 each for my vehicle. The replacement has the same defect as my existing headlight. My vehicle is 14 years old, and nothing has been done by my car company to correct this defect in its manufacturing process. There is a serious need to return to glass headlights since they don't scratch and last, in most cases, the life of the vehicle. I have had my headlights buffed several times over the years, but the buffing lasts a shorter amount of time with each buffing. Other car manufacturers with these headlight problems are ford, toyota, hyundai, bmw, honda, acura, and chevy. Plastic lenses are defective parts for front headlights. They need to be banned and glass headlights restored. The car manufacturers are endangering their customers' lives with this part. I feel a recall is in order and that owners of the cars with these defective headlight lenses should receive free buffing and free headlight replacements until the manufacturers correct the problem with a lens that will remain clear. Date entered for "when did this happen?" Is simply the date I took the photos. Problem is ongoing not single incident. Let me know if I did not add the documentation correctly. I will try again.
Check engine light kept coming on. Took to dealership and they said they repaired problems. Was accelerating from stop light on busy city street, highway frontage road and engine died in middle of intersection causing no power or steering and had to come/coast to final stop with no power or steering capabilities. Engine died and would not restart. Car was disabled under highway bridge in busy intersection. Could not get it started. Drivers would turn left from the light and almost rear end me because I was disabled right after the turn. Turned out to be the infamous toyota recall and class action lawsuit of engine sludge. Paid $6000 to repair all car components affected by the lawsuit.
Driving to school die shift ....Shop says auto transmission dead ...Cost $3500....Good maintained services.....Also crazy electrical problem....Must recall auto transmissions
Transmission failure, the transmission fails to work and lags at first and second gear.
The check engine light and asc light came on and now are constantly on
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to jerk and failed to accelerate as the vehicle stability control and traction control off warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the throttle body and e- solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000. The vin was not available.
While driving with client friends to the ritz carlton in rancho mirage for thanksgiving dinner, the car suddenly stalled. The engine was running but when the gas was stepped on there was no response. We managed to pull to the side of the road at which time we heard an explosion and the car was engulfed in flames. We all immediately jumped out of the car fearing that the gas tank would explode. We called 911 and the fire department arrived in time to extinguish the flames before the gas tank could explode. The...
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windshield blew out...The tires exploded and the car is a total loss. The car has been towed to the police impound lot and because of the holiday we have not been able to reach lexus. It seems apparent to us that this is a gas leak issue as the under-carriage of the car was on fire. Considering that lexus has recalled 423,000 cars for a gas leak problem (ours was not on the recall list) it seems obvious that this make and model should also be recalled before someone dies in a fire. This was an extremely frightening and traumatic event and we all feel very fortunate to have survived it with no injuries....Except shattered nerves. *Tr
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. Suddenly, the engine starting revving up and the car suddenly accelerated at such a high speed that the car jumped over the parking barricade and cables, went airborn and crash landed at the opposite end of the garage on the level below. If it had landed 12 inches further, it would have gone over the 6th...
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story of the parking garage. The brakes did not work and prior to this, the car was almost stopped. I have owned this car for 8 years with one previous owner. I always do the recommended routine maintenance. The car was beyond repair and was totaled. *Tr
My wife was driving in freeway (highway 101 in bay area, ca) around 8:00pm. The car was at a speed of ~60 miles/hr. The car started accelerating independently. My wife exited 101 immediately and found that she could not get the car to fully stop even though she applied the brake fully. The car was still idling full throttle after my wife put the car in park. Then my wife shut off the engine. I had the car towed to lexus dealer service. The dealer's advisor told me he has not seen this kind of case before and he has to talk to his manager; unfortunately his manager is not available and he will have his manager call me. *Tr
Lexus RX300: every year compared
All RX300 years2002 Lexus RX300 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Lexus RX300 | 105 | 5 | C | |
| 2002 Lexus ES300 | 185 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Lexus SC430 | 52 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Lexus IS300 | 45 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2002 Lexus LS430 | 42 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2002 Lexus GS300 | 19 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Lexus LX470 | 10 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2002 Lexus GS430 | 3 | 0 | F | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 2002 Lexus RX300
Does the 2002 Lexus RX300 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2002 Lexus RX300: headlights (May 2009); exterior lighting (April 2009); glass, side / rear (March 2008); exterior lighting (May 2006) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lexus RX300?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (43), acceleration & cruise control (16), engine & cooling (14).
How many complaints has the 2002 Lexus RX300 had?
105 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 12, 2001 and the latest on January 30, 2026. Of these, 21 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 16 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2002 Lexus RX300 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 55 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Lexus RX300 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 RX300 years have the most complaints?
1999 (221), 2000 (216), 2001 (176). See every Lexus RX300 year compared.
What should I do if my 2002 Lexus RX300 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