LexusRC3002020Overview/lexus/rc300/2020/base/

2020 Lexus RC300

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 RC300.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2020 Lexus RC300 is the model-year iteration of Lexus's RC300 line, delivered with an 8-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. That transmission and efficiency pairing gives researchers a clear picture of how this model-year variant was configured for everyday use. In reliability terms, the 2020 RC300 is a relatively quiet data point: it generated just one owner complaint, with air bags cited as the top concern, and was subject to two recalls. That low complaint volume suggests this model year sits among the more settled entries in the RC300's history, making it a useful benchmark for researchers tracking the model's dependability over time.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/30/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified
Tire size235/45R18, 235/40R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0; Optional: 9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter1780131170
Fuel filter7702453100
Spark plug9091901276 alt 9091901263
Battery2880038100
Front wiper blades8521253100 alt 8522224150
Serpentine belt9091602733 alt 90916A2026
Thermostat9091603156 alt 9091603154
Cabin air filter8713930100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 30 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts72.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.36 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.37-2.88 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.36 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°30 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miFloor Mat (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Intercooler (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Intercooler (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2020 Lexus RC300 dominate in one area — the air bags, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
142
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 142 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0021-252026-03-10EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now…
L-SB-0021-252026-02-27EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now…
L-SB-0057-22 Rev22026-02-02Electrical SystemOBSOLETE NOTICE February 2, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0004-26.
L-SB-0004-262026-01-23Electrical SystemSome 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation…
L-SB-0030-24 Rev22025-12-15StructureSome 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RC300. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 RC300 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RC300 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.