LexusRX3002002Overview/lexus/rx300/2002/base/

2002 Lexus RX300

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 RX300.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Lexus RX300 is a unibody SUV that pairs a 5-quart oil capacity (requiring 10W-30 or 5W-30 API viscosity) with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA ratings of 17 city/21 highway/18 combined mpg. Within the model’s 1998–2003 complaint history, the 2002 year logged 105 owner complaints—far fewer than the 1999 peak of 224—though its top issue area remains the powertrain, and it carries five recalls. For researchers, this places the 2002 as a middle-of-the-run example that avoids the worst of the early-generation troubles while still warranting attention to its known weak points.

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 economy17/21/18 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 filter233000A020 alt 2321746090
Spark plug9008091180
Front wiper blades8521236030 alt 8522212750
Serpentine belt9008091212 alt 9936631040
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 / 21 / 18 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
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 Compression142-213 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-75 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.014 in

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 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · 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)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
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.

Federal data shows this generation peaked in 1999 with 224 complaints and seven recalls, after which filings trended steadily downward through 2003. By 2002, complaints had fallen to 105 from 176 the prior year, though recalls held steady at five and one federal investigation was opened after a one-year pause in 2001. The 2002 model’s most reported complaint areas were Power Train with 36 filings, Vehicle Speed Control with 11, and Air Bags and Engine & Engine Cooling tied at 8 each, while the data recorded 21 crash-related complaints and one fire complaint without specifying root cause. Against 2003, which saw complaints drop further to 30 and recalls fall to three, 2002 sits in a transitional midpoint where metrics are improving but have not yet bottomed out. Given its declining complaint trajectory yet higher overall filings and a steady recall count compared with the subsequent year, a 2003 example offers a cleaner federal record, though 2002 remains a viable purchase if thoroughly inspected.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
74
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
105
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 105 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train36
Vehicle Speed Control11
Air Bags8
Engine & Engine Cooling8
Unknown Or Other4
Exterior Lighting4
Tires3
Electrical System3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 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 74 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0020-242024-04-19StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…
L-SB-0021-242024-04-19StructureLexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect…
L-SB-0022-242024-04-19StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
L-SB-0024-242024-04-19StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
L-SB-0020-242024-04-19StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…

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 2002 RX300 take?

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

Does the 2002 RX300 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 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 / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.