Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1999 Lexus RX300. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗TOYOTA/AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL
- Summary
- 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.
TOYOTA/BRAKE LINE
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (221)
221 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 221 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 129 | 58.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 24 | 10.9% |
| Air bags | 14 | 6.3% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 10 | 4.5% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 3.6% |
| Tires | 7 | 3.2% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 2.7% |
| Suspension | 6 | 2.7% |
How 1999 compares with other RX300 years
Best and worst RX300 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 3 | 0 |
| 1999 | 221 | 2 |
| 2000 | 216 | 0 |
| 2001 | 169 | 0 |
| 2002 | 88 | 0 |
| 2003 | 25 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 468 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Station Wagons
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1999 RX300 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1999 Lexus RX300 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1999 Lexus RX300 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 99V011000 (lighting), 99V012000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1999 Lexus RX300 problems?
Owners filed 221 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (129), Engine and engine cooling (24), Air bags (14) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1999 Lexus RX300 get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 17 city, 22 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1999 RX300 compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2003 Lexus RX300 model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 1999 the most (221). The 1999 drew 221. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.