Most common 1999 Lexus RX300 problems
Share of the 221 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus RX300 complaints by model year
Best RX300 years: 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 2000, 1999. Compare all years →
1999 Lexus RX300 recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The headlights and taillights May not automatically illuminate in low ambient light when the headlight switch is placed in the "auto" position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a modified body electronic control unit.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Differential proportional valve
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the optional traction control system. Due to improper design of the rear brake tube distribution, if one of the dual brake lines fails when the driver applies the brake, the vehicle will feel unstable compared to vehicles with proper rear brake tube distribution.
Remedy: Dealers will install modified brake tubes.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Lexus RX300:
Engine seizure
What 1999 Lexus RX300 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 129 →
On 06/16/16 I pulled into driveway engage emergency brakes place vehicle in park and got off. Immediately I realized vehicle was rolling forward I attempted to start to brake and got nothing. I noticed that vehicle was in reverse I attempted to place in park and got nothing lever was free sliding not engaging any gears. I immediately got online to attempt to troubleshoot issue and ran into a handful of blogs relating to an issue in gear shifter cable with a plastic retaining clip which Lexus uses on cable. I had no indication or any sort of warning of this issue before it occurred it just happen out of the blue and it could have been worse if I was actually on the road when this happened. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Lexus RX300. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH uphill there was a burning smell and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated the transmission failed. The dealer stated there were no recalls and the repair cost would be $5000. The manufacturer advised the contact that a representative would return the call. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Engine & cooling all 28 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Lexus RX300. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the rpms suddenly increased and the vehicle accelerated to speeds above 85 MPH. During the incident, flames were seen coming from the exhaust. The contact sustained a neck injury, which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who indicated that the flames created a hole in the catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (o'brien Lexus in bellevue wa) were notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 179,825.
On January 17th, 2016, I took my '99 Lexus RX300 to church, parked the car, and joined the Sunday service. An hour after parking the vehicle (during which time it was not running or in use), I was told that there was smoke coming from it and went outside. Within minutes, the front end was bursting in flames. The fire destroyed the entire front portion of the car, including the engine, transmission, tires, and dashboard. I don't know what could have been the cause; it was seemingly random.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Lexus RX300. While driving 45 MPH in inclement weather, the contact crashed into the rear of a stopped vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head and left knee injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then towed to her residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000. The vehicle was destroyed.
Injuries to chest, abdomen, knees, wrist due to air bags non deployment in collision. Obvious front impact damage to vehicle impact estimated @ 40 MPH. No air bag deployment. Other vehicle involved pulled into oncoming traffic with no chance of avoidance. My seat belt locked and caused severe bruising to my sternum, abdomen, knees. I bought this premium priced vehicle based in part on the safety features that did not perform. I could have been killed. Vehicle I was driving as owner is 1999 Lexus rx 300 equipped with front and side SRS.
1999 Lexus RX300 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Lexus RX300 a good car?
Based on 221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 RX300 rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the RX300 at the same age. It is one of the RX300 years we suggest avoiding. 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 1999 Lexus RX300?
The transmission & drivetrain — 129 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (28) and air bags (14).
How many recalls does the 1999 Lexus RX300 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1999 Lexus RX300, the most recent from January 20, 1999 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus RX300?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000 and 1999. See the full Lexus RX300 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Lexus RX300 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 104,000 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.