1999 Lexus RX300 problems
NHTSA has received 268 complaints about the 1999 Lexus RX300, and 43% of them involve transmission. Next are engine (11%) and drivetrain & axles (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 268 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Transmission 43% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 21 and 13
- Injuries and deaths
- 18 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 104,000 miles 170 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 9 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 21 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 38 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 25 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 23 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 24 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 9 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 10 |
What the data shows
Of the 170 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 104,000 miles. For transmission specifically, the median reported mileage is about 105,000 miles (97 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 21 complaints mention a crash; 13 complaints mention a fire; 18 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1999 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the Lexus RX300 with enough data (71 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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 right rear wheel axle sheared in two, causing the wheel to fall off. The vehicle became violent, then completely rolled over. None of the airbags deployed. We would like a complete investigation.
Transmission on my 1999 lexus rx300 started slipping. We took it into a lexus dealer and were told to not do anything until the transmission failed, then bring it in. I asked if we should have it serviced or some maintenance to prevent a failure and they advised that it was not worth it. It failed, then the dealer wants $4,200 to fix it. Research shows that this year and model lexus has transmission problems nationwide and suggests it is a widespread problem.
Accelerator entrapment in aftermarket floor pad of a lexus rx 300 last september. (I don't know what kind of floor pad, I bought it in 1999 and installed it then, it is one of the thick ones that is good a holding snow and water.) I figured out that the floor pad was the problem while the engine was revving to 90 MPH and the brakes would not stop the car. Lexus could find nothing wrong but said nothing to me about this being a problem in toyota products.