2001 Lexus RX

Routine

Owners filed 19 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission9
000
Tires3
000
Power Train3
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)1
000
Engine1
000
Air Bags1
101

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 22, 2024CO

On [XXX] traveling NB on [XXX] during a green light to make a left turn WB on [XXX] 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 [XXX] 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. 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)

Tires
Filed Nov 26, 2023CA

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 "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?

Tires
Filed May 19, 2023ID

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

Power Train
Filed Jan 6, 2020102,000 milesIL

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 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

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 13, 2019102,000 milesIL

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.

Power Train
Filed Dec 11, 2014250,379 milesWA

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

Power Train
Filed Jul 31, 2013112,497 milesNY

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT A LOW MILAGE, AND THE REPAIR COST IS MORE THAN A CAR. *TR

Engine
Filed May 8, 2013140,000 milesWI

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 2, 2007130,000 milesLA

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 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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 11, 200789,000 milesCA

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 25, 2007130,588 milesGA

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 22, 2007101,000 milesCA

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

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Apr 18, 200767,000 milesNJ

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 16, 200779,000 milesTX

LEXUS RX 300 TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 27, 200668,000 milesNY

I HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2001 LEXUS RX 300 VIN [XXX] 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)

Tires
Filed Dec 14, 2006110 milesDC

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 26, 200684,000 milesSC

2001 LEXUS RX-300 TRANSMISSION FAILED JUST BEFORE 84,000 MILES, DISABLING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. WARRANTY DID NOT COVER REPAIR. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 5, 200666,000 milesCO

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 11, 200686,520 milesOH

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

19 of 19 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20267200Routine
202518400Routine
202455400Routine
202361300Routine
202228010Routine
202169100Routine
202046100Routine
201934100Routine
201825000Routine
201747000Routine
201628000Routine
201520010Routine
201411001Fatalities reported
201319010Routine
201212000Routine
201129020Routine
201076000Routine
200934000Routine
200870020Routine
200758010Routine
200632120Routine
200527110Routine
200440110Routine
20034000Routine
200212000Routine
2001 — this page19000Routine
200029000Routine
199935000Routine

Compare every RX year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.