1999 Lexus RX300 from North America - Comments

Have a 99 rx. 95,000 miles. So far have had transmition replaced 3 times. Oxygen sensor replaced, 4 wheel drive differential system completely replaced, windshield washer pump replaced, leak in air conditioner fixed, heated seat coils replaced in both seats, cd-disc changer replaced. Thank god these events all occured durring extended warranty I bought. Based on everyone elses experiences with this car, I'm going to the Acura dealership next time I'm in the market. Unfortunately for Lexus, they just didn't meet my expectations for being ranked #1 in quality. I didn't have to pay for any of these replacements, but I don't think this car can be considered dependable after all that I have gone through with it.

Many Lexus cars are equipped with a defective transmission that fails prematurely. Lexus admits this, but will not back up their product when the event occurs out of warranty (7/70) - unless the vehicle was purchased and serviced exclusively at a Lexus dealership. Since the manufacture is responsible for the replacement costs (not the dealer), the practice of replacing only dealer-serviced cars appears arrogant and discriminatory. If repair records can be provided showing that transmission service was done according to the dealer service intervals - and by a certified garage - then the manufacturer should back up their product regardless.

In our particular case, we have a babied 1999 RX300 that started making odd noises while in the warranty period, and then failed completely (post-warranty). The dealer has declined our request for a redesigned replacement transmission free of charge. We have submitted a claim through the Lexus CustomerCare number (1.800.448.1505), but understand that the manufacturer simply follows the recommendation of the dealer in question. In other words, we're at the mercy of the dealer and their discriminatory policy. We're still awaiting the manufacturer judgement, but hold out very little hope.

Bottom line: Given that Lexus has acknowledged the elephant in the room, a correctly serviced Lexus transmission should be replaced by the manufacturer at no cost to the consumer. Lexus should back up their product - but don't due to their process. See http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_54694.html for more horror stories. This is a systemic problem with the tranny design and deserves a Recall Notice, or at least a Technical Service Bulletin.

Lexus needs to recall this transmission or pay half or all of the repair cost, just as long as you have records to prove service at any shop not just Lexus. I luckily had all my services done at Beverly Hills Lexus with records to prove. Lexus first told me the bill was going to be close to $5000 but when I showed them my records they offered to pay half. My transmission lasted 103,000 miles which is better than some peoples that go out at 60,000 miles. I loved the car, but after it was finished I traded it on a RX330 which I love even more. So far there have been no problems with the new RX. Hopefully Lexus fixed the problem.

I've been told that the RX line was updated with a new transmission in the 2001 model year. In other words, this flakey tranny was only around for 2 years.

If Lexus improved the transmission for the 2001 rx300 and admits that there were problems with the 1999 and 2000 transmissions, then they should take responsibility for the problem and help the customers with repair bills.

So called Lexus "quality" is selling their overpriced cars, and they should do what they need to protect their name. From what I have experienced with my transmission going out at 82000 (planetary gear fragmenting), like all the others I have been reading about, I feel like I have been scammed by a mister Hainey outfit rather than a supposed quality car company.

I know that I will never buy another Lexus and I will do all I can to let others now how crappy Lexus cars are. It may not amount to anything, but if enough people get the word out, Lexus may eventually pay for their lousy transmissions and lack of response to the problem.

Follow-up:

Thankfully, Lexus has agreed to pay for half of our replacement transmission ($4K). Apparently, there's a script of rules and procedures that Lexus has given to their Customer Care organization. (BTW, based on my own experience, this organization is probably an outsourced group of young low-paid kids.)

First of all, they are NOT ALLOWED to admit that there is a problem with the transmission. Ask about it... and there will be only silence on the line.

If the vehicle has been exclusively serviced at a Lexus dealership (very expensive to do this), they will pay 100% of the replacement transmission. Apparently, where the car was purchased is much less relevant.

If you own - or have in the past, owned - multiple Lexus', you get extra "points" towards reimbursement.

If the replacement is to occur at a Lexus dealership, they give you some points.

If they deny your claim intially, keep asking for their supervisor's name and phone number. Simply tell them that you aren't going away until you get satisfaction. You'll have to go up to the third level to get someone over the age of 22.

Also, I found that different Lexus dealers charge different amounts for this replacement. Strange... but true. We saved $1K by driving another 10 miles.

I've been told that the replacement tranny with all of the updates (corrections) will fix the problem. Let's hope that's true.

Overall, we're very pleased with our 1999 RX300 and we're keeping it for the long haul. Anyone who has ever owned a vehicle designed by our Detroit engineers (with mail order engineering degrees) can certainly appreciate the level of quality we have with our Lexus'.

The level of Quality that engineered defective transmissions?

Please, if this was an American car you wouldn't stop bashing it.

It took me 2 weeks to get Lexus to pay for half my replacement transmission. It took a lot of phone calls and working with 3 dealerships to get to the point where they said they would pay half the total bill. Once I showed them my records they payed the whole bill. Lexus isn't going to go into their computer to look for your records, even though they are in their computer no matter what Lexus dealership your car was serviced at. You need to do all the work and when you do it will pay off. Stop complaining and do some work and most likely it will pay off. My car now has 35,000 miles on the new transmission and is fine. Some of the transmissions are faulty and others were not taken care of properly. Lexus explained everything to me in the end. I will be buying a newer certified Lexus in the next 6 months.

Domestically-designed cars deserve all the bashing we can dish out. I grew up thinking that the monthly trip to the service garage was just an accepted part of car ownership. Then I discovered Toyota and Lexus. Built here, but designed there. BIG difference.

2000 Lexus RX300. I stumbled on this website today and imagine my surprise to see how many others had transmission problems with their vehicle with low mileage. My transmission went out at 72,000. I was shocked that the new one cost $4,000 and I never abused my vehicle. Lexus did take care of everything except $1200. Having seen the postings, I agree that Lexus should have a recall. My daughter has the same vehicle and she too lost her transmission about 78,000 miles. Having said all that, Lexus (hands down) has the best service departments that I've ever dealt with... from New York, Cleveland to southern Cal. But having paid $40K for a vehicle to have the transmission fail at such low mileage is still an issue for me.

Lexus service is the best! I cannot agree with you more. They will bend over backwards for their customer.

"The level of Quality that engineered defective transmissions?

Please, if this was an American car you wouldn't stop bashing it."

Well of course. If I paid that much money for a defective car, I'd say anything and everything that justifies its value in my crazy, warped mind.

I have a 1999 rx300 that has almost 80k miles and it has never given me any problems to speak of. Recently I foolishly drove it thru a heavy downpour and 2 miles of flooded highway (over a foot of water) and the a/c went out.

Luckily I made it home and the next day, the car started up fine and the a/c was working again. I had the oil changed and transmission fluid checked and the car ran fine since. However after reading all the comments about transmission failure, I am wondering if it's time to trade in my good ole Lexus for the rx330.

I have a 2001 Lexus RX300 and it's got about 94K miles on it. Till yesterday everything was fine with the vehicle. It stopped all of a sudden and I had to tow it to the mechanic and guess what! Transmission Gone. He said it will cost me in the range of $5-$6K to fix it. Does it usually cost so much to fix it? Can anybody give me suggestions to see if I can call Lexus directly so that they can pay for this/ at-least part of it? If yes, please give me some numbers to call.

Is the mechanic you took it to a Lexus dealer? If it is they usually charge between $4000-$5000. If you have all records to prove your service is up to date they will usually pay all except labor. If you go to an independent transmission shop it will run you around $2000.