1999 Lexus RX300 review from North America

I am fed up with Lexus! I purchased my 99 RX300 just under 2 years ago. With in 2 months, 2 back brake lights had blown. That cost $100. Then, less than a year after I purchased the car, the engine started ticking! I took it to Lexus, and they told me to change the timing belt. That was $1000.

8 days after that, my engine and transmission blew up, and left me on the side of the road 280 miles from home. After 6 weeks of calling the dealership, Lexus covered a new engine and transmission, so I felt pretty good.

When I picked the car up, there was vibration, and my car would not stay in the road. I turned around and took the car back. They took care of that, and I was back on my way.

3 weeks after the engine incident, I had an exhaust leak. I took it to the dealership, and again, spent $1000.

3 months after that, time for a new exhaust manifold. $750.

OK, so now I am fed up. 4 weeks to the day after I picked my car up, I noticed a weird grinding noise in the front end. Went back to the dealership, and needed new struts and shocks. $1500.

I have had constant problems with electrical problems, and POOR SERVICE!

I just spent $2200 getting bulbs replaced in the front and rear part of the vehicle, as well as tire rotation and oil change. The day I picked my car up, it blew a fog light! So, I went back to the dealership. They covered the cost. Apparently, when they pull the bumpers off to change the lights, they don’t check for any other blown bulbs except for the ones you told them that needed changed! COME ON NOW! Ford always checked my bulbs! 6 days after I picked up my car, my check engine light comes on!! AAHHHHHHHHH!!

Time to replace the knock sensor! That’s another $1000. I had that done, and have had my car back for 3 weeks now.

Last night, by car started shifting funny!! When I give it gas, it either takes a minute to catch or it revs up to the point where it sounds like it is going to blow up and then shifts gears when it should be accelerating!!

I have had it! I would never EVER buy another Lexus. The service department is horrible, and they do not stand behind their products. I have had Fords, Honda's and Acura's, and never had a problem... even with the ford!

The Lexus RX300 and RX330 is the best looking car on the road, but the poorest built! If you are planning on buying a Lexus, you can look forward to electrical problems, Transmission problems, Problems with LEXUS and their service staff, problems with the front end that can be diagnosed, $75 per hour labor rate, gas surcharge on all loaner vehicles, and a possible engine blow out (IT HAPPENED TO ME. My car has never missed an oil change, and I only take my car to the dealership. At first, I thought I bought a lemon. After talking too many Lexus owners, and doing online research, I have found that these problems seem to be pretty standard.

My car has brand new EVERYTHING (engine, transmission, front end, lighting, nock censor, exhaust, exhaust manifolds, tires, timing belts, serpentine belt, muffler, EVERYTHING, and everything keeps going wrong).

Good bye Lexus!! I am going with Acura. I have owned Acura’s and Hondas in the past, and never had any problems! I will say this, LEXUS has the best looking cars on the road... Too bad they are built with the same quality as a Daewoo!! DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU PURCHASE! I have always supported LEXUS, and am very disappointed in them!! I hope you found this helpful! I wish someone would have given me a heads up.

Beautiful car, poor quality!