2002 Lexus RX300 from North America - Comments

Hi.

I am very worried now after reading all these comments. I bought my brand new RX 300 Lexus with zero mileage in 2002 and have been driving it ever since. I just recently encountered a problem with it at 77,000 miles. It started to leak some oil and when I took it in for the dealer to check it out, they told me it was my rear main engine gasket and that it will cost $1.300 to fix. Apparently, it is a labor intensive job. I have heard this problem as well as the transmission are major flaws/issues with RX 300 and 330 Lexus models. It was suggested to me to just trade the car in for something else b/c the headaches are coming.

My question to all of you is as follows:

Has anyone encountered this problem with the rear engine gasket and if so did he/she fix it? After fixing it did you have problems again?

Do you recommend just trading it in?

P.s. Like almost everyone of you, I always get it services at the dealer and take really good care of it.

As a used car dealer dealing in mainly high line cars, I can honestly say The Lexus brand cars are tops! Period. I'm a bit surpised by all of the tranny problems some of you have encountered. For the rear main seal issues, there are a number of remedies that you can try. First, you can pay the dealer a gob of cash to replace what amounts to a $25 seal, or you can use a seal conditioner in the oil which will usually stop all but the worst seal leaks. It's a good idea anyway as all cars start to leak through the seals after around 75k miles or so, if even ever so lightly. Shop your local parts store, they cost about $10 a bottle!

Typical used car dealer short term fix!

I'm trying to visalize dumping Motor Honey (or some variant) into a 5yr. old Lexus... I'd trade it in on a less oppulent car- Lexus/MB/Audi, etc. all overpriced, overstuffed, too expensive to buy, register, maintain! Perhaps a nice Honda Accord or a Jeep Liberty would be a nice way to go.

"First, you can pay the dealer a gob of cash to replace what amounts to a $25 seal, or you can use a seal conditioner in the oil which will usually stop all but the worst seal leaks. It's a good idea anyway as all cars start to leak through the seals after around 75k miles or so, if even ever so lightly. Shop your local parts store, they cost about $10 a bottle!"

EXCELLENT advice!! THANK YOU!! As a mechanic I try to stress the importance of these kinds of maintenance/preventative maintenance fixes, but for some reason it almost seems people WANT to pay more for such things. It boggles my mind that people will pay hundreds of dollars to have injectors cleaned (or replaced) when adding a $5 can of cleaner to the fuel tank once every 5,000 miles will keep the injectors clean for the life of the car. I do this RELIGIOUSLY with all 4 of our vehicles.

I also endorse your advice in adding seal-softener compound to ANY car at 60,000 or so miles even if the seals are NOT leaking. The compound softens the seals so that future leaks (costing THOUSANDS TO FIX) are avoided.

It doesn't matter if you drive an Aveo or a BMW these things apply and can save thousands of dollars. I keep trying to educate people on this, but it is like herding cats!!

"Do you recommend just trading it in?"

As a mechanic, YES, I'd recommend trading it. If the seal softener mentioned by one of the (very correct) commenters won't solve the problem, you are looking at thousands to repair it, and my friend had this same problem, paid over $3000 to have it repaired and the repair lasted exactly ONE WEEK. THEN they sold the car (at a HUGE loss).

I'd look into getting a new 2010 Ford Fusion unless it is beneath your dignity. These are some of the best built cars on the planet, with a reliability rating that beats both Camry and Accord. Since the car you are driving IS a Camry you will find the Fusion an incredible car at almost half the new-car price of the car you own. We've been the ego-mobile route (BMW and Mercedes). I found it far more sensible to buy a new Mustang AND a Fusion, take a two week Mediterranean cruise and pocket about 10 grand in change.

I've owned a new Jeep Liberty and my wife owns a now 10 year-old Lexus RX300 - Trust me, the Lexus is the way to go.

Unless you go off-road, of course.