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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1998–2003

Lexus RX 300 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 722 owner complaints for the Lexus RX 300, covering model years 1998 to 2003. The 1999 model year drew the most complaints (221), and Power Train is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Lexus RX 300 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 2 recall campaigns on file
  • 722 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 6 model years with data (1998–2003)
  • most complaints: 1999 (221 for that model year)
  • top component: Power Train (435 complaints)
  • latest recall 99V012000 (reported Jan 20, 1999)
  • 72 complaints reporting a crash (10.0%)
  • 13 complaints reporting a fire (1.8%)
  • 42 complaints reporting an injury (5.8%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Lexus RX 300 complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1999 model year has the most complaints: 221 of 722, or 30.6%. Next come 2000 (216) and 2001 (169). The fewest are for 1998, with 3 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Lexus RX 300 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1998–2003Column chart of 722 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 1999 with 221. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1998: 3 complaints319981999: 221 complaints22119992000: 216 complaints21620002001: 169 complaints16920012002: 88 complaints8820022003: 25 complaints252003
Lexus RX 300 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Lexus RX 300 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199831010
19992211810110
2000216160120
200116914270
20028818180
2003255030
All model years7227213420

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Lexus RX 300 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Power Train is the component named most often, in 435 complaints (60.2% of all 722), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (72) and Vehicle Speed Control (66).

Components named most often in Lexus RX 300 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Lexus RX 300 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Power Train43560.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling7210.0%
Vehicle Speed Control669.1%
Air Bags365.0%
Electrical System283.9%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic202.8%
Engine162.2%
Seat Belts162.2%
Visibility162.2%
Suspension152.1%
Exterior Lighting131.8%
Tires131.8%
Equipment111.5%
Structure101.4%
Unknown or Other101.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Lexus RX 300 recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name RX 300, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model year 1999.

  • 2 recall campaigns
Lexus RX 300 recall campaigns covering each model year
1999: 2 campaigns

  1. NHTSA campaign 99V012000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Differential Proportional Valve

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the optional traction control system. Due to improper design of the rear brake tube distribution, if one of the dual brake lines fails when the driver applies the brake, the vehicle will feel unstable compared to vehicles with proper rear brake tube distribution.

    Consequence:
    This condition can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install modified brake tubes.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  2. NHTSA campaign 99V011000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The headlights and taillights may not automatically illuminate in low ambient light when the headlight switch is placed in the "auto" position.

    Consequence:
    Vehicles following behind may not see the vehicle since no headlights and taillights would be illuminated, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install a modified body electronic control unit.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Lexus RX 300 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Lexus RX 300 have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Lexus RX 300, covering model years 1998 to 2003. The most recent, 99V012000, was reported on January 20, 1999 and is filed under “Service brakes, hydraulic”.

Which Lexus RX 300 model year has the most complaints?

The 1999 model year, with 221 of the 722 complaints in NHTSA’s file (30.6%). The next are 2000 (216) and 2001 (169). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Lexus RX 300 complaint?

Power Train is the component named most often: 435 complaints, or 60.2% of all 722. Engine and Engine Cooling (72) and Vehicle Speed Control (66) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Lexus RX 300?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Lexus dealer.

How many Lexus RX 300 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 722 complaints, 72 report a crash, 13 a fire, 42 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Lexus models

8 models · most complaints first

The Lexus models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Lexus VIN decoder with every Lexus model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Lexus ES 350 2007–2023 · 11 recalls · 1,451 complaints
  • Lexus RX 1999–2026 · 10 recalls · 947 complaints
  • Lexus RX 350 2004–2023 · 13 recalls · 838 complaints
  • Lexus IS 250 2006–2016 · 8 recalls · 719 complaints
  • Lexus ES 1996–2025 · 4 recalls · 666 complaints
  • Lexus IS 1999–2026 · 8 recalls · 595 complaints
  • Lexus ES 300 1995–2013 · 4 recalls · 562 complaints
  • Lexus RX 330 2004–2011 · 5 recalls · 526 complaints

All Lexus models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.