2002 Lexus Rx300

2002 Lexus RX 300 4-DR. w/SAB

Overall

Not Rated

Front Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

★★★☆☆

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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.

Campaign: 09E012000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

POLYMER PROCESS DEVELOPMENT IS RECALLING 931 UNITS OF BACK GLASS, P/NO. 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.

Campaign: 08E020000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Campaign: 06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

Campaign: 09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Campaign: 06E026000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I want to raise concern about the safety issue and health issues relating to the new LED headlights on cars now. In the morning and evenings, I regularly encounter these extremely bright headlights. It's a big distraction and my driving visual field is impacted by these lights. I would like to see this addressed and resolved! Please advise. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2002 Lexus RX300. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light flashed on the instrument panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The system component that malfunctioned was the Fuel Tank Overfill Check Valve, also referred to the Rollover Valve located in the top of the gas tank. The valve is suppose to prevent any fuel purging or fuel leaking during a rollover accident. Unfortunately, the valve can malfunction during normal refueling without the owner being aware. For a few years, I have been smelling fuel fumes during and after refueling. I would sometimes discover a pool of raw fuel under the gas tank and charcoal canister during/after refueling and up to 12 miles later. The vehicle started hesitating, missing and actually stalling after refueling. Three professional mechanics couldn't solve the problem. In an attempt to eliminate this safety issue, I replaced the gas tank, gas filler tube, fuel vapor purge valve and charcoal canister. I finally discovered a tube from the malfunctioning Overfill Valve was sending raw fuel directly to the charcoal canister, filling the charcoal canister and ultimately overflowing onto the ground outside of the vehicle. I decided to cut a hole in the vehicle floor under the rear seat and replace the Fuel Tank Overfill Check Valve. The design of the replacement valve was different from the original and incorporated a float type check valve rather than just the simple diaphragm in the original. Maybe Toyota/Lexus quietly redesigned the valve, but all owners should be aware of the redesign and the vehicles should be recalled. Thousands of these vehicles are still on the road because people love them. These vehicles and the valves are aging and failing. Dangerous fire potential certainly exist. One previous owner did have this problem, I believe, and his vehicle burned to the ground. It's an extreme safety issue not just because of the hesitating/stalling in traffic after refueling, but mostly because of the raw fuel leaking from the charcoal canister under the vehicle right in the immediate vicinity of the hot exhaust and the gas tank.

TIRES

4 new tyres were installed by Firestone but driver side wore out despite balancing rotation, alignment performed during install. TyrePlus sister concern replaced with new tyre and prorated as the tyre was at fault. Same tyre blew out on the road. The tread, side all etc damaged the wire harness and car went out of control causing damage to suspension and fuel tank. Fuel began to leak. Car is toatled due to several other damages. TyrePlus does not want to take ownership. However they have all records of up to date maintenance. They referred me to Bridgestone wherein I need to submit 2 estimates. Tyre purchase dates maintenence etc. I have secured the tread and parts of the tyre which blew out and they want me to submit that. I am hesitatnt to submit it as they may tamper with the proof I have to fix it.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Transmission wouldnt shift all of the sudden on the high way no prior mechanical issues was t boned and broke my leg abs and trac off lights mechanic says total transmission failure 121000 miles and this is the second owner of this vehicle

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLES RETRACTABLE ANTENNA STOPPED RETRACTING AND ANTENNA MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN TRYING TO PULL THE TELESCOPING ANTENNA BACK DOWN. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, ENGINE HAD BEEN SHUT DOWN AND KEYS REMOVED, BUT ANTENNA MOTOR KEPT RUNNING.

POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUDDENLY MY GEARS BEGAN SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, PARK, REVERSE AND INTO !ST AND 2ND GEAR WITHOUT LOCKING INTO ANY OF THEM. NO MATTER WHAT THE SHIFTER MOVES FREELY. MY CAR ONLY MOVES FORWARD NO MATTER WHICH GEAR IT'S IN, INCLUDING REVERSE. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT STILL KEEPS MOVING FORWARD. IN ORDER TO PARK AND STOP, I HAVE TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE (UNKNOWN) IT JUST SUDDENLY HAPPENED ON A TOLL ROAD AT THE PAY STATION. ALSO, MY INTERNAL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN I OPEN ANY DOOR, INCLUDING THE TRUNK LIGHTS. MY RADIO DOES NOT CHANGE STATIONS AND KNOB DOES NOTHING, RECEPTION IS POOR & COMES AND GOES. I CANNOT GET ANY AM STATIONS.

AIR BAGS,SEATS

LEXUS HAS NOT ASSEMBLED/SECURED THE AIRBAG WIRING PROPER UNDERNEATH OF SEAT AND PROMPTS THE B1140 RIGHT-HAND SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY B1141 LEFT-HAND SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY CODES IN 2002 RX300 MODELS. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE AND CAN BE DEADLY FOR THESE CARS CONSIDERING THE AIRBAGS WANT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE LOSE AND NOT PROPERLY SECURED WIRING. DEALER ASKS $1800 TO GET THIS CORRECTED WHERE AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NEEDS A RECALL FOR BOTH (LEFT/RIGHT) SEATS AIRBAG WIRING/ECM CIRCUITS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WINDOWS AND SUNROOF OPENED ON THEIR OWN!!! THE DOORS WERE LOCKED AND NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR. CAR WAS PARKED AND LEFT OVERNIGHT LOCKED AND EMPTY.

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK TILL I HEARD GRINDING NOISE THEN I REALIZED CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE ANY MORE THEN IT TOWED AWAY TO MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE TRANSMISSION.