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1999 Lexus RX300 brakes problems

11 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 114,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
11
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
114,000
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Foundation components: disc: pads
    1
  • Foundation components: disc: caliper
    1
  • Foundation components: disc
    1
  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring
    1
  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Lexus RX300 brakes problems in other years

19992000200120022003

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valveReported January 20, 1999 · 6,503 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This condition can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install modified brake tubes.

Recall number 99V012000 · Recall details

What 1999 Lexus RX300 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 22, 2022 · Brakes · 249,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 1999 Lexus RX300. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes failed and could not be depressed to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the side of the road and stopped by shifting into neutral. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where it was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 99V012000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 249,000.

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · WA

1999 lexus rx 300. Consumer writes in regards to brake failure and acceleration issues while driving vehicle at 60mph. *ld

Filed Nov 6, 2017 · Brakes · 177,512 miles · IL

This week I got a flat tire, a screw in tire. One tire shop wouldn't repair it, so I parked the car a few days after they put the full-size spare on it. Then I drove it 20 miles with the spare, and it started activating the ABS when I brake at gentle/normal speeds. So I had the flat tire repaired and thought the problem would go away. There is no change with the fixed tired put back on/balanced. The car activates ABS every time I brake pretty much now. I do have awd, but this should not happen. I just bought this vehicle 3 months ago used & had it thoroughly inspected prior to purchasing it. This is a safety issue!

Filed Mar 5, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 228,000 miles · VA

My check engine light came on. I had the oil changed for the second time within 30 days because I thought it was an oil problem. The light went off as I was leaving the place. A couple days later the light would come on when I made turns, blink, then go back off. A few days later, it came back on steady, and the car started to jerk while I was driving on the interstate. It would jerk, then slowly increase speed. Last saturday, I applied brakes, and the car rolled another few feet. Had to swerve left to keep from rear ending a vehicle. Today, upon slowing down to enter my driveway, it did it again, and I nearly hit a brick column at the beginning of the driveway. It doesn't jerk frequently, but it seems to do it more often when I am on cruise control. I love my SUV and am always bragging about what a reliable car it is. I can't afford to replace it, retired and on disability.

Filed May 20, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · 145,000 miles · WI

My 1999 -- lexus rx300 has about 140k miles on it. The car is now parked so I don't kill myself or my family while driving. A couple months ago, my car just started jerking as if it was going to cut off and my check engine light came on. I work off a major highway and I was really scared. My car speed would be 50-55mph but the rpms would be as high as 6. I have never experienced anything like that before. I went to the car repair shop - I had some mis-fires and they were fixed for $150, no problem. The car repair recommended I get my front brakes done because my miles per gallon had slipped to 15 in the city. A couple weeks later, I got my front brakes done, no problems until one evening, I was driving home when my check engine light came on again...this time I was at the stop light and my car started idling/jerking like I needed to give it some gas or it was going to die. My check engine light is now blinking on my dash board. My husband took my car to a transmission shop and the lexus dealership they say 2-coil ignitions have failed. And that my spark plugs need to be replaced. I also have some other transmission problems but in order to get the check engine light to stop blinking I have to fix, the coil ignition problem which cost between $515 to $775. Then they can run more test to see there is any more problems. My car is parked for now. There should be some sort of recall since this is a common problem with all '99 lexus rx300. This is crazy.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · MN

While driving the ABS started activating when the brakes were applied and once the car speed was less than 20-25 MPH or so. This now happens every time the brakes are applied and as soon as the speed drops below 20-25mph. The local lexus service department diagnosed the problem as a "cracked activator" which could be replaced for $1200.00 parts and $800.00 labor. Are there other complaints regarding this issue?

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Brakes · 114,000 miles · PA

Abs engages every time brakes are applied, increasing stopping distance, and causing a potential hazard.

Filed Feb 28, 2008 · Brakes, Transmission · 51,915 miles · MD · crash

The wheels of a 1999 rx300 locked up at highway speed causing the vehicle to spin 220 degrees and crash into a drainage ditch. Transfer case was replaced by dealer/insurance co. Abs sensors are rusting at the wheels and require repair after only 23 months/27k miles since the last ABS sensor overhaul. Lexus has the transfer case.

Filed Aug 14, 2007 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · FL · fire

Automobile was a perfectly functioning 1999 certified pre-owned lexus rx300 under a bumper to bumper 'new car warranty'. Auto was consistently serviced by lexus of palm beach. The automobile was consumed by 20 ft. Flames in about 15 minutes while parked in our driveway shortly after midnight. The garage was about 6 ft. Away and caught fire. Fortunately a neighbors dog awoke them and the firemen arrived to put the final car flames out and stop the fire on the garage. We slept through the entire incident and were awoken by a fireman. The exact cause is still a mystery. The arson investigator ruled out arson, the responding fire chief ruled out weather related causes. Both the arson and the insurance investigators determined the ignition point at the rear left tire. Both concluded that possibly an over heated brake was to blame. I and the legal department at toyota motor sales agree that this explanation is impossible since the car had not been driven in two days and it rained heavily during those two days. I have encouraged them to do their own investigation. To date no response. Three months have elapsed and lexus has shown no interest in this matter. I am especially concerned for the safety of small children when flames can erupt so unexpectedly and consume a car so quickly. On our street of 34 houses there are at least 10 other lexus owners. One has confided that he parks his car further from the garage now as a result of what he witnessed. He also is the father of an 18 month old son who would be buckled into a car seat just above that ignition point.

Filed Apr 16, 2004 · Brakes · 59,790 miles · OH

1999 lexus rx300. Five days after discs, calipers, pads replaced, the right front caliper fell off while I was driving on interstate 80 at 65 MPH. The car began to violently shake and veer to the right. I was able to safely get the car off the road. The lexus dealer confirmed that the caliper fell off and was wedged between the rim of the wheel and the disc. The bolts were missing. The service manager did not know if the bolts broke from a manufacturing defect or a service defect.

Questions about the 1999 Lexus RX300 brakes

Does the 1999 Lexus RX300 have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Lexus RX300, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1999 Lexus RX300 brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 114,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Lexus RX300 brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 99V012000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Lexus RX300 have bad brakes?

The Lexus RX300 model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (11 complaints) and 2000 (11 complaints).

Other 1999 Lexus RX300 problems

Transmission 129Engine 28Airbags 14Acceleration 11Seat belts 10Electrical 8Tires 7Lights 6Suspension 6Visibility 5Body 4Driver assistance 3Fuel system 3Steering 3Locks 2Wheels 2Seats 1

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