Most common 2001 Lexus RX problems
Share of the 19 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus RX complaints by model year
Best RX years: 2012, 2013, 2014. Years to avoid: 2023, 2024, 2021, 2022, 2025. Compare all years →
What 2001 Lexus RX owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
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. …
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.
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 "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. …
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
2001 Lexus RX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Lexus RX a good car?
Based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 RX rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the RX at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Lexus RX?
The transmission & drivetrain — 14 complaints, 74% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the wheels & tires (4) and engine & cooling (1).
How many recalls does the 2001 Lexus RX have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Lexus RX. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus RX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2024, 2021, 2022 and 2025. See the full Lexus RX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Lexus RX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 101,000 miles; 6% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.