2003 Lexus RX300 Problems, complaints & recalls

I bought this vehicle from a private person and it look like it has odometer fraud. The odometer mark 85.555 miles but it really has around 185.555 miles or more not sure yet.

The contact owns a 2003 Lexus RX300. The contact stated that the HVAC system was inoperable. Additionally, the VSC and check engine warning lights were illuminated while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed at an AutoZone with a catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

As I was driving the car started to speed up uncontrollably and would not slow down even with the brakes applied. I had to put it into neutral to apply the brakes but we went from 45 - 85mph in a matter of seconds while driving in 45mph zone in the inner city. When I turned the car back on while in park the accelerator was still stuck up to 100mph + so it was not drivable. We found out later from the mechanic that the throttle was sticky and stuck in the open position.

My son was involved in a head-on crash resulting in both vehicles being totaled. The driver of the other vehicle received minor injuries from his air bag. My son however punched his head through the windshield resulting in significant injury to his head and face. Both airbags deployed, and he was wearing his seat belt. It is my belief that the seat belt did not lock correctly upon impact

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.

I own a 2003 lexus rx300. After I had came from a completed stop while depressed on the accelerator pedal, the brakes began to lock with the abs brake light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated the av pump failed or that it maybe something with the electronic control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturers were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 320,000.

Air bag "problem" warning light came on intermittently. Dealer stated that if the light was on, the air bags would not deploy in a crash. *Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus 300. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the airbag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the airbag failure was due to water. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 180,000.

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. Took vehicle on road at 35 to 40 mph, took foot off gas and vehicle kept accelerating at a modest pace to above 50. Glanced at floormat (not touching accelerator), put car in neutral. Engine revved to high rpm than came back to normal. Put back in gear and drove short distance home. *Tr

Six months ago, the drivers side seat belt warning light came on. Two weeks ago, the drivers side air bag warning light came on. This appears to be a wide spread issue with these lexus rx 300's evidenced by the numerous complaints logged on the web. My car was garage kept for the majority of it's life. This issue should not be happening and should be repaired by lexus at no cost to the consumer. *Tr

I called my local lexus three times prior to june, 2012 regarding lights suddenly illuminating on the dashboard. I had a recurring issue where the check engine and vsc warning lights would illuminate. Each time the customer service agent told me that the lights would go off when I refueled. Three times the lights did go off (after several days), but once I had to have the dealer reset them. The most recent occurrence resulted in the dealer telling me I needed the air fuel and air flow sensors replaced, a repair...

During normal driving, with no signs of failure, the vehicle suddenly would lose power when pressed on gas, it acted as if it were in neutral---engine revs up, but car does not move. Then when switched to second gear or l, transmission still would not engage. Had it towed to a local transmission shop, it turned out to be the planetary gear broke. Searched online lexus forum, found out very many people reported the same failure in transmission. *Tr

The vehicle suddenly lost transmission on the road and was rolling freely. The gears does not work anymore and the vehicle rolls as if its in neutral. When search the internet I looked at lot of the customers complaining about exact same thing, about this vehicle having transmission issues especially for rx300. No wonder toyota has this many recalls and surprised that their premium brand has the same issues with safety. I am glad that this did not happen on a highway

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus rx300. While driving 10 mph out of the parking lot the vehicle accelerated and he lost control. As he swerved the vehicle he hit three small trees, a wooden fence, and a brick wall before the vehicle stopped. The ambulance and police department came because he was trapped in the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital for injures to his lower back. The vehicle was destroyed. There is a police report if needed. The insurance company was notified. The dealer nor manufacturer have not been called. The failure mileage was 14,070. Updated 05/10/10 *bf the vehicle was declared a loss. Updated 05/17/10.*Jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus rx300. While driving into a driveway at speeds of under 8 mph, she heard a loud revving noise and the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle crashed into the garage door and pushed two other vehicles in the driveway through a cement wall and through her home. Neither the manufacturer nor dealer were contacted. The repairs were covered through her insurance company. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus rx300. While driving into a driveway at speeds of fewer than 8 mph, she heard a loud revving noise and the vehicle accelerated without intent. The vehicle crashed into the garage door and pushed the two vehicles into the driveway through a cement wall and into her home. There were no injuries. Neither the manufacturer nor dealer was contacted. The repairs were covered through her insurance company. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.

The transmissions in lexus rx300 models are unsafe. The transmission in my rx300 had to be replaced at 70,000 miles and again at 120,000 miles. Lexus is not standing behind their product. There have been numerous complaints about the transmission in the rx300 model. Lexus will not acknowledge this defect. Also, I was misled at the dealership the first time they replaced the transmission. I was assured that the transmission was not "refurbished", when, indeed, it is not a new transmission. The definition of...

I have a 2003 lexus rx300 with 134,000 miles. The transmission failed on 2/20/09. After a couple of days of a slight whine, three lights came on the dashboard. I took it in to my local repair shop. They ran a computer diagnosis and it came back with transmission failure. I purchased the vehicle while still under warranty at 48,000 miles in 2006. I have had the transmission serviced twice at the recommended intervals. It was due for a 3rd service. Internet blogs report that transmission failure is a chronic...

My wife drove the vehicle to work. She parked, turned the engine off, and removed the key while the shifter was in the neutral position. Thinking that it was in "park", she exited the vehicle and began to walk away. The vehicle rolled backward and pinned her right let in between its rear bumper and the bumper of another vehicle. *Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 lexus rx300. While driving 65 mph, the engine shut off without warning and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The transmission was determined to be the cause of the failure and was replaced at the cost of $3,922.40. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact did not establish a relationship with the dealer; therefore, they would not assist. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was 78,926 and current mileage is 79,000. Updated 3/9/09 *cn the vehicle would not shift into reverse. Updated 03/10/09. *Jb

2003 Lexus rx300 vehicle stalled. Replace idle air control valve twice**cw** the consumer also referenced a toyota highlander that had the same stalling issue. *Jb

This complaint is almost identical to others I have found and is very serious. Purchased 2003 lexus rx300 from a toyota dealership; approximately 57000 miles now, about 56000 at purchase. Car checked by dealership, ok. No hard driving. After first distance trip (st. Louis to kc) check oil light and check engine light came on. Towed to lexus dealer who knew right where to look. Found gelled sludge all through and said it was misuse. Complete lie. Said engine must be replaced. No help so far from lexus. Expect to see if this is hidden defect in engine, since I have found numerous other complaints on the internet that read almost exactly the same.

While traveling out to denver from omaha, received low oil pressure light on my 2003 lexus rx300. Pulled over immediately, had car towed to lexus dealership. They immediately knew what to look for and say..The car has been misused, (no oil changes) and oil gelling was result. Within minutes they said the engine was shot and would require new engine. They showed me the sludge which was only found on one cylinder head, by the oil return line. Quantity was about one handful and as stated, only near the return line,...

Consumer experienced a problem with the front windshield cracking for no known reason while parked in the garage overnight. Consumer replaced the front windshield, within one week. The front windshield developed another crack while parked in the garage overnight.*Ak

Consumer was able to remove key from the ignition with vehicle not being in the park gear. As a result vehicle rolled and crashed into a tree.*Ak