1999 Lexus RX300 from North America - Comments

My 2000 RX300 Lexus lost it's transmission at 82000 miles at a replacement cost of $4,343.86 plus $291.91 car rental fee. The Sun gear, Ring gear and 4 planet gears on that one stage have extensive tooth fracture. Failures of this type can generally be attributed to one or more of the following causes: 1. Poor design analysis resulting in improper gear selection resulting in tooth overload and tooth fracture. 2. Improper alignment at assembly resulting in non-equal load distribution leading to fatigue fracture of the teeth. 3. Foreign material, getting into the planetary gearing from either contamination at assembly or breakdown of other components within the transmission. In any case, the responsibility for any of these occurrences is directly the responsibility of the manufacturer. LEXUS should: Replace/repair all units manufactured under these design requirements, Redesign the unit to reflect greater integrity, Notify all RX300 owners of the potential problems as they present a definite safety hazard to all motorists. Because of the SAFETY HAZARD they present LEXUS MUST BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. I'm in the process of attempting to have this done by our Calif state officials.

Well add another to your list of RX300 (year 2000) transmission failures. Prior to taking my car to the dealer for a regular scheduled service, my car was driving perfectly fine and always had. Two days after picking up the vehicle from the dealer it started to behave strangely; jerked back when put into reverse, jerked while driving. I took it back to the dealer that week only to be told that nothing was wrong with it, although they did note that the transmission was a bit "whiny". So I picked the car up and drove it home. Less than a week later it went into neutral while travelling 60 mph in the middle lane of a busy freeway... no fun for me or my 12 year old daughter. I had it towed to the dealer, who after looking at it called me and said, would you believe, "nothing is wrong with the vehicle"!! Well, needless to say I went ballistic and asked him to have his mechanic take a closer look at the car. Low and behold after examining the vehicle the next day they were able to determine that there was an internal transmission failure and it would cost $4700 to repair! And this is 2 weeks after I spent $900 on the scheduled service. I have followed the manufacturer's recommended service schedule since purchase and thought for sure the car would last me at least 150,000 to 200,000 miles, as my previous cars did (Mercedes and Volvo). I have had no other issues or concerns with this vehicle. The mileage on my vehicle at time of failure was 137,000 (not nearly as bad as some of the other folks below) and of course the dealer nor the manufacturer would do anything. Apparently they feel I got my $42,000 worth out of the car. I don't know about you all, but I would think if one spends $42K + on a car, it should last a bit longer than that, assuming normal driving conditions. Is there something wrong with the design of the 1999 and 2000 RX 300s transmissions? I'm sure Lexus is keenly aware of the problem, but unlikely will admit to a design or manufacturer flaw.

Lexus seriously needs to step up and address this problem. Many people, including me, have to put $5,000.00 into a car that was $40,000+ when I bought new. I had mine go out at 63,000 and just told Lexus to replace the Transmission and I would pay them, but automatically trade it in. I bought a LS430 and love the car. I have no complaints about this car. The LS series has always been great to me. I bought my first LS400, a 93, in 95. In 97 I saw the coach edition LS400 at the dealer when I had the car in for service and bought it. I didn't think I would be buying a car so soon, but I couldn't resist. In 1999 I saw that Lexus had an SUV coming out. I waited until mid 1999 to get one. I kept the LS400 and still have it. It only has 36,000 miles. I have faith in Lexus, but this is one problem they need to address. Lexus is by far better than any Mercedes. The wife has her S500 in every month for some little annoyance. I tell her to get a Lexus, but she won't drive anything, but Mercedes. I will always drive Lexus.

Add another failed Lexus Transmission to your list. Four days after I bought my used 2001 Lexus RX300 the transmission went out at 98K miles. I would never have imagined a quality vehicle like this to have that happen this soon. We paid around 3500.00 to completely rebuilt the transmission and in the words of the mechanic "it was a total mess" the planetary gears and all had to be replaced. I have read countless stories of the same thing happening with Lexus. Sure hope you guys get somewhere with them.

I have just purchased a Lexus RX300/2000...It had a "new" transmission at 110000 KM. I wonder:was it the identical type of tranny that it replaced. Is there anything an owner can do to protect this happening to a 2nd transmission. The car has 121000KM on it now. Is there an additive/Justice Bros. product that might help. How about the Type4 Snthetic fluid that Lexus uses?/ Sincerely/Gene/.British Columbia.

Please file your complaints here about your transmission problems with Lexus. If enough of us complain, they may force Lexus to recall or at least address the problem of their transmissions.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Add yet another one. I purchased my 2000 Lexus RX 300 just last February with 82K miles on it. A one-owner vehicle and I had expected to be reliable at that mileage. Figured I'd get at least another 50K on it for sure. It is a Lexus after all.

It stranded me today with two small children in it on a busy street. In the shop presently and expected repair costs will be over $3k. I can't believe this poor level of quality.

Add another failed transmission. I purchased my 1999 Lexus Rx 300 with just over 30k miles on it. Just over 40K miles, while I was cruising in the middle of an interstate the transmission gave up on me. At first I heard a popping noise, then the car jerked and suddenly de-accelerated with a lot of grinding noise, luckily I was able to pullover safely. Had to be towed (for free thanks to AAA Club) about 90 miles to a dealership, and lucky for me the transmission was replaced under warranty and was given a loaner for a week.

2000 Lexus RX300 AWD... transmission is gone.. tab for a rebuilt transmission is $3500.00 (2500 for the transmission + 1000 for labor). Would we be able to gather enough people with the same problem to make a case against Toyota? How many more RX300 owners out there might have the same problem?

Wow this is unbelievable.. and to think I was just continuing my painful search for a transmission for my 1999 Lexus RX300. I can't believe this has been an ongoing problem and Lexus has done nothing... Hmmm.

My little SUV has about 90k miles on it, but I was very surprised a few weeks ago when it died to a stop on a dark road!

My vehicle was bought used and had a history of a major front end accident. There was extensive damage to the motor mount, sub- frame, transmission wire harness, and holes had to be drilled to re-attach things.. I didn't know this vehicle had 15k worth of repair damage, but it was done by a certified Lexus...

I'm now asking Lexus could this have caused my transmission to go out? By the way they quoted my 4600 for a repair and Lexus Corp. has not returned my call!

Any suggestion/ comments out there? I'm really in a bad situation. Thanks!

P.S You may email me @ able24cu@aol.com with any helpful comments...I'm interested in highlighting this transmission problem. I wish I'd been warned!

1999 RX300 Lexus Truck - I brought it at 75000 miles for $12,000 from a school teacher. I have 144,000 miles on the car and have really never had any problems. However I decided I am going to trade it in for an upgrade. It's a great truck.

Another one bites the dust... 2000 RX 300, car was running fine, took it to the dealer for a general service.. Drove less than 1/2 mile from the dealership and it quit... Dealer somehow drove the car back... called me 2 days later saying the transmission needs replacing.. Car had been running smoothly... no transmissions issues before... 140,000 miles.

Hello everyone. I am about to buy a 2002 Lexus RX300 and would appreciate any advice you may have. I have been told by a retired mechanic that if everyone drove a Lexus, he would have been out of a job, and he said they are great cars and maintenance free. So on his honest advice, I'm going to consider buying this car in the next week or so, unless anyone should post a note saying otherwise.

Is it possible to get a extended warranty, and also will the dealer give me a loaner car, even if I am buying a used car?

Thanks for any advice.

I am trying to decide what to do at this rock and hard place with my 2000 Lexus RX. I love this car, however since warranty ended, I've had a series of high priced problems. Sensors mostly and a check engine light that always seems to be linked to a costly not less than 1K problem. It has been on and off for about three years now. Finally, I had a checkup done when my car started to infrequently jerk or delay reverse when put in gear. A 124 buck checkup assured me nothing was wrong with the transmission. That was last month and just yesterday, I got stranded in the rain and early morning traffic due to failure to accelerate. After towing to the dealership, I was later met with the news that the transmission's clutch was falling apart internally and needed to be replaced. 5700 is the quote and the car has 157000 miles. Disappointed, as I'd been told that following your scheduled maintenance would garner about 200+ miles on a Lexus. I'm faced with having to buy another car today or cough up the exorbitant amount of cash for the repair. Based on your comments, I guess I will cut my losses. Man, I loved that car!