Lexus RX 300: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
498 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Lexus RX 300, model years 2000 to 2003. 2 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2000 (transmission); 2001 (transmission). Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 RX 300 | 216 | transmission | 5 | |
| 2001 RX 300 | 169 | transmission | 5 | |
| 2002 RX 300FEW REPORTS | 88 | — | 5 | |
| 2003 RX 300FEW REPORTS | 25 | — | 3 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Lexus models
Lexus ES · Lexus ES 300 · Lexus ES 330 · Lexus ES 350 · Lexus GS 300 · Lexus GS 350 · Lexus GX · Lexus GX 470 · Lexus IS · Lexus IS 250 · Lexus IS 350 · Lexus LS · Lexus LS 430 · Lexus LS 460 · Lexus NX · Lexus RX · Lexus RX 330 · Lexus RX 350 · Lexus RX Hybrid. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 20002001