Most common 2000 Lexus RX300 problems
Share of the 216 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 →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2000 Lexus RX300:
Engine seizure
What 2000 Lexus RX300 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 138 →
My transmission failed 5 yrs ago was not told why. They replaced it but I had to pay for labor. They put in new parts except for remanufactured casing. Now December 2015 with only 24,000 miles on it since I am retired, failed to go in reverse or go into second gear. Have noticed online alot of people are having problems with transmissions of Lexus vehicles. Now I am told by Lexus speacialist [phone]) they only want to pay for half of parts and was told it just failed we don't know why and they refuse to investigate again unless I want to pay for labor. It seems from online complaints that they are making owners pay for diagnostics and or replacements & labor. I have never felt more unsafe in a car when my vehicle wouldn't shift into gear while driving on a road with 55mph speed limit while I could only drive 10 miles an hour. …
At approximately 150,000 my Lexus rx 300 seized after pulling into a parking lot. I tried to restart the car and it would not move/turnover. Obviously, had to have it towed and the entire transmission needed to be replaced. I purchased a rebuilt transmission to the tune of about $4,000. There are numerous reports of this model of Lexus repeatedly having the transmission fail. I'm wondering why the NHTSA does not issue a recall at this point - at least investigate this issue., so those who own these vehicles can recoup some of the cost for the failures of this transmission.
Engine & cooling all 26 →
While driving, the car jerks and then cuts off. This has happened at least half a dozen times within the last 2 months. Engine light is constantly on, even after servicing the car at local Lexus dealer. When car is parked, I noticed exhaust fume smells heavily with gas.
I purchased a 2000 Toyota SUV. And subsequently had the vehicle go into sudden complete irreperable engine failure while driving on a busy road. It had been a "recall", or service bulletin that the item was a "gel" problem (or sludge) with the oil in the make and model of the car. Although this was a known problem, Lexus of monterey claimed that they'd never seen such a thing and that the vehicle needed $400.00 worth of diagnostics to see what the problem was. On the advice of my usual auto mechanic, I contacted Lexus and reported a possible "gel" problem. Lexus immediately sent someone out to check the vehicle and pronounced it the manufacturers' problem that had been sent out as a notice to owners of the automobiles. They paid for a new engine, and also advised us that all incedintal would be covered. …
Speed control & acceleration
I experienced and had an accident due to the revving engine issue with Toyota/Lexus. I have a 2000 (used) Lexus SUV and was pulling into a parking space in the lot of a business when the accident happened. I did not have my foot on the gas as I was allowing the car to "creep" into position but had it hovering and/or touching the brake pedal. All of a sudden the engine revved and starting speeding forward, again without my foot on the gas pedal. It happened suddenly and quickly and I immediately hit a sign at the front of the parking space. This set off the air bags, jamming me back in the seat and pulling the seat back. I could not longer reach the pedals but I was stunned by the seat belt explosion. The car went over the sign (flattened it), over a low cement barricade, and into the side of the business. …
While driving, the car jerks and then cuts off. This has happened at least half a dozen times within the last 2 months. Engine light is constantly on, even after servicing the car at local Lexus dealer. When car is parked, I noticed exhaust fume smells heavily with gas.
2000 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 2000 Lexus RX300 a good car?
Based on 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 RX300 rates use caution: 1.6× 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 2000 Lexus RX300?
The transmission & drivetrain — 138 complaints, 64% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (26) and speed control & acceleration (14).
How many recalls does the 2000 Lexus RX300 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2000 Lexus RX300. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 2000 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.