30th Jun 2007, 00:42
I HAD a 99 RX300 (actually two of them) and loved the first one so much that when the lease was up and 80k + miles on it- I purchased another. Bad mistake. I complained to the dealer that it seemed to stall and made weird noises. They said it was the gas, maybe the brakes and they could never duplicate the problem. Needless to say the trans went. Fortunately I still had an extended warranty and saved $4,600 but have found this to be common for that vehicle. Great car, but...
1st Aug 2007, 16:51
I just happened to browse this site and am surprised to see so many of you have similar problems. I have a 1999 RX300 that has 125,000 miles on it. Its transmission does not go to higher gear on the freeway thus having a revolution around 4000 constantly at 60 mph speed. I think this is an indication of a transmission going to die soon. I will take this to a private Transmission shop and not lexus, because as I read the comments, they seem to be making money out of this failure.. Others, Please post names of shops that are reliable to get the repairs done for less.
No other complaints for this ever beautiful car.
25th Aug 2007, 14:30
I have had multiple problems with 99 RX300 - Air sensor, Oxygen sensor, Knock-out sensor, electrical system - the track off and engine is illuminated all the time. Recently started having transmission problem - the gear doesn't shift with increase in speed. I am told it will cost $3000 to replace with a re-built transmission.
2nd Sep 2007, 15:22
I bought my 99 RX 300 new in May of 1998. I thought this was the best car ever made. No troubles at all until 105,000 miles. When I turned the key I got nothing, I turned it again and sometimes again and it would start. This happened for about a week. Yesterday on my way home it seemed to go out of gear then jump back in until finally it would not move. The transmission shop says $3500 to fix. Called Lexus and they want 3500 for a new transmission. Said they do not work on them just put in a new one. After reading all these comments I think I will go with a 330.
2nd Sep 2007, 16:56
Funny, if this were a GM product you would be saying that GM should be sued for this and I will never purchase another GM product again, but because it is a Lexus you just grin and bear and buy basically the same vehicle again. By the way, I drive GM products and have never had to replace a transmission. I guess the Japanese car manufacturers are superior if you like your car to drain your wallet.
10th Oct 2007, 16:18
My 2000 RX300 AWD transmission just went out at 69,000 miles. The Lexus dealer wants $4000 plus to fix. Lexus has refused to step up and correct what must be a flaw in their vehicle. I'm not sure what to do at this time.
4th Dec 2007, 23:00
I have 99 Lexus Rx300 and only 45000 mils. Yesterday I find some oil leak to floor. I took the car to local dealer and find out it is rear main seal oil leak. it will cost about $2000 to fix it. I think it is big problem for the Lexus and I am planing to file law suit for this. Please join us for this.
6th Dec 2007, 23:56
Not worth filing a law suit over this. It's a waste of time and money. Many people have tried suing over the transmission failure with no results. I would pay to get it fixed and sell the car. I had a 99 RX300 but sold it before it had any problems. Have a GS430 now with 80K and haven't had any expenses. I trust Lexus. I just think the RX300 was bad at first.
7th Dec 2007, 14:27
My wife's 1999 Lexus RX 300 experienced many of the same issues as posted here. Bottom line, the transmission went out around 72k miles. Got the oxygen sensor line, got the change fluid line, but after doing a lot of research, partly through this site, we established the transmission needed to be replaced. Luckily for us, my wife works for a Toyota company, and after we got some help from the GM there, and the local Lexus rep, Lexus did cover the entire cost. This all happened in June/July 2007, and since then, the car is back to running like a champ. But, with that said, we probably will not keep it for much more than another year or two.
18th Dec 2007, 15:48
I just bought a 1999 RX300 and it makes a whining sound on the transmission side of the engine on cold starts. The sound diminish as the SUV warms up, and goes away completely when warm. This morning, it didn't shift into higher gear when I first started driving. I backed off the throttle and then before I knew it, it was normal again. Does this sound like the tranny problem you other RX300 owners are experiencing just before failure?
4th Feb 2008, 16:09
Transmission just failed on an 02 RX300 with 96K. I don't think this really should be happening with any car with this mileage let alone a Lexus. Very disappointed Lexus hasn't stepped up to the plate by now. Taking it to the dealer tonight to have it looked at and fixed.
5th Feb 2008, 18:57
Was looking at a Lexus RX300 today to buy, but now I don't think I will. No wonder they are for sale everywhere!
16th Feb 2008, 12:09
I start to accelerate and the rpm's go up and so does my speed, then I let off the gas and then it shifts into the next gear. Does this sound like a transmission problem???
28th Feb 2008, 16:31
I purchased 2001 RX300 June 2006 with 83,000, and the car went dead on me 2/25/2008 while going up a hill and the middle of traffic as I was attempting to get over to the side of the road. I called the tow truck and it was going to take an hour and a half to come, so I called my sister who was on her way to work "who drives a ES300 where the check engine light comes on" to bump me all the way home. Lexus just replaced the motor at their expense in Sept. of 07 due to a recall in "oilgelsettlement". Sure hope that they recall the transmission and replace it. Wish me luck!
7th May 2008, 23:13
I have a 2002 Lexus RX300 that I bought October 2006. November 2006 my transmission went out. I had it rebuilt for a little over $3000. I continued to have problem with it have a hard shift in the first gears. They flashed the computer and it worked for a couple of months. My battery on the car kept dying and when I finally replaced the battery July 2007 and they flashed it one more time, I thought my problems were over. It is now May 2008 my transmission started to act up again. I took it to the transmission place thinking it needed to be flashed. They say their obligation has ended. I took it to Toyota and they say it's the transmission. Yesterday I went to take it home till I decided what to do, Toyota wants $4200 to replace with a rebuilt transmission, and I couldn't get my car to go in reverse out of the dealers parking space. I tried putting it into neutral to push it back and it wouldn't budge. The dealer is looking into a couple of other possibilities.
I can't afford another transmission especially after only 20,000 miles. I know that it only has a 1 year warranty but am I crazy to expect a rebuilt transmission to last more than 20,000 miles. I'm going back to the transmission shop tomorrow to let them know it's the transmission again. Wish me luck I'm going to ask to pay for the parts and see if they'll not charge me for labor. I too am disappoint that a high end car is not dependable.
5th Jun 2007, 23:22
I have a 2000 RX300 with 65k miles on it. Recently it makes high-pitch noise when engine is cold. I took to the dealer and was told the transmission went. The repare cost is $6k. I was shocked by the news and then even more shocked to see all the comments by Rx300 owners. It isn't what I'd expect from a Lexus car. Just wonder if there is any recourse against the car maker. Any info and advise is appreciated.