Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Lexus RX300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Traveling 60 MPH on merit pky connecticut, the fluid leaked out of a blown gasket in the transfer box to the rear wheel drive. The rear wheels locked up and car skidded 150 ft and spun. A miracle no cars or barriers were hit. Mother suffered nerve damage from being twisted. Had car towed directly to dealer. The dealer - Lexus of englewood nj, made an attempt to pay off lease and lease a new car but did not follow through with their offer. They treated us horribly!!! They gave us no information on what happened to the truck and through a mired of lies and nasty phone calls from them, we have decided to buy a Mercedes ml350. I will never drive a Lexus again and am currently proceeding with litigation against Lexus and Lexus of englewood nj. I've searched the internet for similar problems but found none. …
My 2000 Lexus RX300 had an unexplained sudden unintended acceleration where the vehicle almost killed me and my son. I was driving residential backroads by my house, accelerated slightly to get up a hill and that's when it took off. The brake pedal was unresponsive, the emergency break was unresponsive, I pulled the floor mat out for good measure, nothing worked, it kept accelerating at a high rate until I finally slammed it through gears to "park" to get it to a stop. I had it towed to the Lexus dealership, where the tow truck driver even told me when it started the car to get it up on the truck, after being turned off for over 12 hours, it was still red lining the engine, and even lurched forward but because the car was in park, it didn't crash into the back of the tow truck. Lexus investigated the car and did absolutely nothing. They wouldn't tell me why it happened. …
The past two weeks prior to taking the car to my local Toyota dealership because there is no Lexus dealership in ocala , fl ..... I would smell something burning like rubber against a hot exhaust or engine. Every now and then I would stop the car and check and I might see a whiff of light smoke but then nothing. No engine lights , no spotting on the garage floor. So I took the car in for an oil change early and asked that they check the car over. 3 hours later I was taken into the garage bay and shown oil dripping from the underside of the engine and told my seals were blown and the whole engine would need to be torn down to get to them. While repairing it turned out the water pump was leaking but the timing belt changed at 60,000 miles was okay. The following evening I was presented with a $1500 bill most for labor. …
Resolving oil sludge repair problem on used rx 300 with third party Lexus dealer--car broke down on 1200 mile road trip. Lexus paid for rental car for return trip. Repair is under warranty. My problem is the dealer we purchased the car from must have known this problem existed with these vehicles and had ample evidence of lack of oil changes in the repair history, yet did not pull the valve cover off this vehicle to determine if oil sludge problem existed. Isn't that standard practice for all used car inspections? Am told by third party Lexus dealer therer is a maintenance procedure that requires this sludge inspection on all v-6 Toyota engines, yet dealer we purchased car from says this is not required.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Lexus RX300. The contact stated that the only gear that would engage was drive. Although the contact could shift into any gear, the gears would not engage. The contact also mentioned that approximately four pistons misfired and the 02 sensor was defective. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that the transmission needed to be rebuild and the o2 sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not repaired. The failure mileage was 127,000 and the current mileage was 128,700.
9/2009 - engine failed. Vehicle initially performed normally, but engine seized during interstate driving. Professional inspection determined cause of failure was sludge build up. Vehicle out of initial warranty. Extension based upon consumer complaints expired 4/2009. New engine installed at my expense. 12/2009 - transmission failed. Vehicle initially performed normally, but suddenly began to lurch when placed into gear after gasoline fill up. Professional inspection determined transmission failure. New transmission installed at my expense.
After approximately 62,000 engine light illuminated. The oxygen sensor was replaced by my local repair shop. After the engine light came back on, and I reattempted to use my local shop 3 times I brought it to the dealer. The problem is the mass airflow sensor/meter. This seems very premature for this type of part to fail. For a auto comapny that professes quality I was disappointed for this problem to arise. I am past warranty and am petitioning Lexus to pay for some of the repair.
Purchased used rx-300 (yr 2000) in 2003 and the transmission died suddenly as I was coming back home at 87,000 miles. The dealer fixed it for free, a week later the car would not start and had to be towed back to the Lexus dealer in silver spring and another transmission was put in the car. Today the same thing happened, engine light went on and the transmission has to be replaced and it will cost thousands of dollars. The mileage is 127,000, not sure if it's worth getting it fixed.
NHTSA investigations
Engine seizure
Engine complaints in other RX300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Lexus RX300?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Lexus RX300, 12% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Lexus RX300 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Lexus RX300. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Lexus RX300 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.