2000 Lexus RX300 base from North America - Comments

1. Intermittent flickering of the dashboard lighting and tailights. Dealer ran a $100 computer diagnostic and failed to determine the problem. $100 fee was waived as a result. The free loaner RX300 they gave me for the day had the exact same problem, so I assume everyone else has the same issue, but I do not see anyone posting about it. I went to a car electronics shop instead and they diagnosed a faulty voltage regulator in the alternator. I haven't resolved the issue yet, because the only solution is to replace the alternator, which is the same design and potentially could mean the same problem again. I wonder if this is the cause of bulb failures everyone comments about here.

2. OEM Bridgestone Duelers wore out prematurely. Absolutely horrible tires... poor wear, low grip, useless in the winter. Dealer exchanged them with Michelin X-Terrains and the difference is like night and day.

3. Right front door speaker cuts out intermittently, usually if someone slams the door hard. As usual, it works fine when I bring it into the dealer to have it checked, and then it cuts out again after I leave. Still unresolved.

4. I have a clunk in the steering if I am turning the wheel full opposite lock while not moving. I haven't been to the dealer yet. I thought it might be the steering rack, but someone else thinks it's the brake pads being loose in their carriers? Still unresolved.

We bought this car used in 2005 from Jim Pattison Lexus Northshore in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. It had been traded in as an ex-lease for a new rx330 by the previous owner 2 days before, and I had to fight off 3 other parties to get at it first. It had full service history and no accidents aside from a few parking lot dings and dents. Aside from what I've mentioned it's been trouble-free, especially in comparsion to the 2001 ML320 my friend bought which has had endless problems.

I thought I had done sufficient research on the RX300 before buying, but only found out about engine sludge and transmission problems after we purchased our car. There are so many posts online about these issues I actually went to my dealer's service department with printouts in hand to ask. They told me they themselves have not had an RX300 come in with a failure related to these issues, but would not deny the problems existed. I also noticed that in their own service schedule (not the one in the owner's manual), it calls for full transmission fluid flushes every 24k kms.

Other non-reliability related issues...

Sometimes I absolutely hate the radio/HVAC controls. Whenever I have a blonde moment I either freeze/bake myself or lose all my station presets.

Turning circle... it's huge! What is up with that?

Power is a little down... I wasn't expected v8 power anyway, but when you pack all the gear and family into it there is some sufferage in performance.

Mileage... I can't do better than 20mpg. I know it's not a little Tercel, but sometimes it really shows, especially with the small gas tank (which they made larger in 2001)... at least it runs on regular unleaded and not premium.

Otherwise we're happy with the RX! The flat floor in the back means I really can have 3 people in the back seat. It handles well for what it is, which is not surprising since it's more car than truck. We never go off-road so that dosen't matter. Brakes are strong, and the ride is nice and quiet. We've had no rattles other than the sunroof shade on occasion when it's open. I know many others here seem to be plagued with issues... are we just lucky?

Regarding your speaker issue, if possible, remove the speaker yourself and check if the wire is securely connected to the speaker. That is probably the only problem.

I thought so as well, but there were no wiring issues. I ended up getting another speaker from a wrecker and so far it's working.

I also have the same intermittent flickering of the dashboard lighting for tailights. My parents also own the 2000 RX300 and they have the same problem. After seeing your post, I now believe this is a defect by Lexus.

I loved my RX300, it has been the best vehicle. I have been impressed with the dealers service. I did have the key problem and was able to fix it with the dealer fix kit, at a reasonable price. Basically all I had to do was brakes and tires with this vehicle. I bought this car used at 43,000 miles, and sold it at 125,000 miles and was sad to sell it, it was a great car for me. I have bought another Lexus SUV used.

I purchased a 2000 RX 300 with 42K miles and I loved it. I maintained it religiously, never drove the vehicle hard and changed the transmission fluid when asked to do so by the dealer. At about 93,000 the tranny started giving me problems. When I took it in they said I had major sludge/metal slivers in the tranny. I was told it would be 5-8k to replace. After reading several comments on Lexusownersclub. com I was convinced that I should dump this "perfect" vehicle. Lexus was not helpful and said they knew of no problems. I read that the problems with the transmissions was due to a design flaw. The transmission fluid was designed to cool by running parallel to the engine coolant in a separate system. NOT a very good way to keep a hot running AWD tranny cool. Toyota improved the design and installed a separate cooling system. From that point, they have had no problems with the RX300/Highlanders...