Is the 2001 Lexus RX 300 a bad year?
169 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 123.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2001 Lexus RX 300 were filed between 97k and 133k miles. You're at 113,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 RX 300 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 113,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 123 (73%) | 97k–133k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 20 (12%) | 60k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 15 (9%) | 68k–130k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 113,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 169 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2001 Lexus RX300 at 113k mi. Suddenly the gears are slipping or loose in reverse or drive when starting from stop - takes a second to click into gear and move the suv- random in nature and occurrence.
First, the car would not shift into reverse. Then, after attempting several times, the car violently jerked me into reverse and I almost crashed.
Vehicle has 133,890 miles on it, vehicle has been serviced every 5000 miles, according to the vehicle history and owners manual.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 113,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Lexus RX 300: 5
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
The glass fails to conform to the automotive glazing material requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 205, glazing materials. The purpose of this standard is to reduce injuries resulting from impact to glazing surfaces.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Lexus: 25
Repair instructions Lexus sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Lexus RX 300. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components
The procedure in this bulletin is a general guideline on how to properly diagnose the air conditioning system after a component failure
Neighbouring years
2000 RX 300: 216 complaints, consider selling · 2002 RX 300: 88 complaints, keep it.
Every Lexus RX 300 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · All RX 300 years side by side
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.
Questions
Is the 2001 Lexus RX 300 a bad year?
169 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 123. At 113,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2001 Lexus RX 300 were filed between 97k and 133k miles. You're at 113,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lexus RX 300?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (123), speed control (20), engine (15), air bags (8), brakes (5). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 97k–133k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Lexus RX 300 have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 08E020000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E049000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.