2003 Lexus RX300: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Lexus RX300: 0 recalls, 25 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
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Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
3 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (7): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (2).
- Speed control / throttle (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (3): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
The 2003 Lexus RX300 has 25 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 6 RX300 model years for complaints (well below the 120 average). Complaints peaked in 2009 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 70,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (88 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 | 21 | 18 | 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 2003 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 2003 Lexus RX300 have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 2003 Lexus RX300, but 3 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 2003 Lexus RX300 problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (7), speed control / throttle (5), visibility (wipers, glass) (3).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Lexus RX300 get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 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.