2003 Lexus RX 300 from North America

Summary:

Comfortable ride, but Honda are more reliable

Faults:

At 30,000 miles the turn indicator began chirping only when signaling to the right.

A strange clicking whining noise groans from the vicinity of the glove box around 80,000 miles.

Timing belt was replaced at 90,000.

The control that regulates air flow ceased to function and had to be replaced.

Around 98,000 miles the door driver's side door stopped responding to the remote lock/unlock feature on the key.

Front driver's seat squeaks.

General Comments:

From a comfort standpoint, it's roomy and rangy, and it rides like a car, not a truck.

Lots of leg room for back seat passengers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd June, 2009

14th Jun 2009, 21:11

I really doubt that a Honda is more reliable than the RX.

Sure the RX has had some problems, but the overall product is second to none, as far as I'm concerned.

Check out the later model Honda reviews on this site, not all are that reliable.

2003 Lexus RX 300 3.0L from North America

Summary:

I look forward to driving it every day (just like I did with my Vigor)

Faults:

Faulty brake pads - manufacturer recall - new ones installed at no charge.

02 sensor fried - under warranty - new one installed at no charge.

Marker light bulb burned out - new one installed at no charge.

Paint is just starting to come off of one of the rims.

General Comments:

I've only owned the RX for about two weeks, and so far I am loving it. I bought it used, but it was in pristine condition (except for a few tiny scratches here and there). The vehicle is very tight with no squeaks or rattles.

I never worried about gas mileage in my other vehicles, and I won't concern myself with mileage in this one either.

This is a definite change from my 93 Acura Vigor (which I really loved), but the time was right to make the change.

I hope to have the RX for a number of years to come. I shall report on the vehicle as time goes by, so stay tuned.

Jim.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th April, 2009

27th May 2009, 22:13

What can I say - I've driven my Lexus now for about a month or so... took it out to the mountains on a ski trip and back... averaged about 28 mpg at a steady 125 kph... not bad... great ride... solid, tight, quiet and awesome in the snow. I love this vehicle.

19th Sep 2011, 19:45

The RX is awesome. No troubles. No squeaks. Great in the snow - doesn't matter how deep the snow, it just goes! A wonderful, all season vehicle. So far so good. I have 170 Km on the vehicle now, and I know it will last me for a very long time. A great, luxurious, smaller SUV. I love it.

Jim.

2003 Lexus RX 300 gas from North America

Summary:

For the money, I would go elsewhere

Faults:

VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) & service indicator lights comes on in the dash regularly.

General Comments:

The car rides nicely.

The engine is adequate for the car.

The controls are easy to handle and operate.

The leather seats are not as comfortable as in other luxury cars.

But these sensors problem in this car has just started to give me and the Lexus technician a run for the money. No one seems to know what causes these indicator lights to come on. I have had to take this to the dealer 4 times for this problem in the last 1.5 months and still the lights comes back on in 100 to 150 miles of driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st December, 2006

2nd Jun 2007, 16:38

Check your brake fluid level/s then top it off above the max line. Drive a few miles and see if the VSC turns off.

If not replace brake pads with Lexus only factory part/s then rotors if necessary. Good luck.

8th Sep 2007, 10:29

I've had an '01 Highlander (identical drive-train) for six months, and have regularly had the VSC/engine check lights come on, then go off. There was no discernible difference in performance. Recently, the brake warning light also came on. I noticed the brake fluid level was at the Min. line; topped it off, and have driven several thousand miles since with no recurrence of the warning lights. I suspect brake pad wear (original pads, 64K miles; 75% worn) gradually put more fluid into the system. It seems to be sensitive to the brake fluid levels. I certainly hope it's as simple as that.