1999 Lexus RX300: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1999 Lexus RX300: 2 recalls, 221 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 5 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #99V011000 · 1999 · 23,441 vehicles
What's wrong: The headlights and taillights May not automatically illuminate in low ambient light when the headlight switch is placed in the "auto" position.
Why it matters: Vehicles following behind May not see the vehicle since no headlights and taillights would be illuminated, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a modified body electronic control unit.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #99V012000 · 1999 · 6,503 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install modified brake tubes.
5 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Equipment recall #08E020000 · 2008 · 931 vehicles
What's wrong: Fb20415zpy, sold as replacement equipment for use on 1999-2004 Lexus rx300 vehicles. The glass fails to conform to the automotive glazing material requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 205, glazing materials.
Why it matters: The purpose of this standard is to reduce injuries resulting from impact to glazing surfaces.
The fix: Polymer will notify owners and replace the affected glass free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2008.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 10 mention a fire, 16 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (129): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (41), stalls / loses power (12), noise or vibration (11).
- Engine & cooling (24): the most common themes are warning light on (5), noise or vibration (4), stalls / loses power (3).
- Airbags (14): the most common themes are fails to deploy (6).
- Speed control / throttle (11): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (3).
The 1999 Lexus RX300 has 221 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 6 RX300 model years for complaints (1.8× the average RX300 year). Complaints peaked in 2009 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 103,835 miles. Neighboring years: 1998 (3 complaints, 0 recalls), 2000 (216 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1999 Lexus RX300.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1999 Lexus RX300 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1999 Lexus RX300, plus 5 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1999 Lexus RX300 problems?
Owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (129), engine & cooling (24), airbags (14).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Lexus RX300 get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1999 Lexus RX300 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.