LexusRX3001999Overview/lexus/rx300/1999/base/

1999 Lexus RX300

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 RX300.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Lexus RX300, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and requiring 5 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 oil, delivered EPA fuel economy of 17 city, 22 highway, and 19 combined mpg. This model year, however, recorded the highest number of owner complaints (224) in the 1998–2003 generation, with the powertrain being the most cited trouble area, and it also accumulated seven recalls. As a result, the 1999 RX300 stands as the least reliable year of that model's history.

Model year20032002200120001999

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/22/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. 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.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-70SR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1
Engine air filter1780103010
Fuel filter2330074330 alt 2321746090
Spark plug9008091180
Front wiper blades8522212750 alt 8521236030
Serpentine belt9936631040 alt 9008091212
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter871394802083

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 22 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.8 Pints
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt
Transfer Case FluidGL-5 · 80W-90
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.8 Pints

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts243 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.70-.94 Diamond ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance6,800-11,700 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.21-1.43 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression145-218. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-75 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs / 34 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
116 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9016 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
110MM Bolts14 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 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 1999 Lexus RX300 marks a dramatic inflection point in the 1998–2003 federal record, with complaints surging to 224 from just 6 in 1998, while recalls jumped to 7 and technical service bulletins spiked to 120—levels that remain the highest across the entire six-year run. Although 2000 stays nearly as active with 216 complaints and 5 recalls, the broader arc shows a steady downward trajectory afterward, with complaints falling to 176 in 2001, 105 in 2002, and just 30 in 2003, confirming 1999 as the peak of the federal record across this model span. Power Train complaints dominate the 1999 docket at 114 filings—more than half the year’s total—while the data also records 18 crash-related and 10 fire-related complaints without specifying root causes. Because this year carries the heaviest combination of recalls, complaints, and manufacturer service guidance in the series, it presents the greatest statistical risk within the 1998–2003 window. Buyers prioritizing reliability should consider a 2001–2003 example instead; if a 1999 is the only option, a thorough pre-purchase inspection and verification that all seven recalls are complete is essential.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
120
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
224
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 10 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 224 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train114
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Air Bags12
Vehicle Speed Control8
Tires7
Seat Belts6
Electrical System5
Exterior Lighting4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

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… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

08E020000Visibility:Glass, Side/RearReported 06/03/2008

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… Remedy: POLYMER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLYMER TOLL-FREE AT 800-510-9879.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 120 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Safety Recall 222022-04-13EquipmentLexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
Lexus PRO19-02 -2022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
Lexus Safety Re2020-05-01EquipmentSafety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
L-SB-0179-17 Obs2020-04-06EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 06, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see…
L-SB-0008-202020-04-06EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service…

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 RX300. 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

How much oil does the 1999 RX300 take?

5 qt of ABOVE 0 F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 100 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 RX300 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RX300 get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.