1999 Lexus RX300 from North America - Comments

My 2000 Lexus RX300 is starting to demonstrate signs of transmission problems, i.e. revs up before shifting into gear, especially when the motor is old. With over 100,000 miles on it, I feel like it could leave me stranded. Any suggestions?

I bought a certified used Lexus RX300 (2000) in late 2003. Learned within a year that the transmission fluid was "burned". Took car to dealership and dealer reimbursed the expense to have my transmission fluid "flushed". I asked them to check for problems with transmission since fluid burned for a reason! The answer I got... the problem would be internal and unless I wanted to pay the labor to tear the tranny down.. they would "wait and see".

Well, sure enough within the next 10 months the transmission seized one evening (82K miles)! premature problems!!

Lexus replaced my transmission (under warranty) with a REBUILT unit!! I was furious. Lexus advised they have the right to place rebuilt parts in the car.

Wow!! Not what I expected... nor what I paid for in a Lexus warranty!!

Its now a year later and the transmission is leaking at the rear main seal. Lexus only warranties the REBUILT part for 12 mo/12k miles... and I am 103 over the warranty!!

Just my luck!!

Its true... this car is too heavy for the transmission (and engine) in MY opinion!

Same happened to us - 99 rx300 97000 miles. So far the dealer has been very responsive, sent us a loaner car and towed the damaged car at no charge. The dealer is in contact with the factory, waiting to see what they are going to do. Keeping fingers crossed!

I just purchased my 1999 RX300 at 84,000 miles. The car looks absolutely mint. I have been noticing that when I let off the gas at speed, the transmission does not free-wheel at all; i.e. it reacts like a manual transmission. Out of curiosity, surfing, I stumbled onto this website. Brother, I am so glad these owners have been so gracious as to share their frustrations and experiences on line. I'm trading. It seems anything less than a 4,000 loss is a plus. It's back to Nissan Pathfinder for me.

The transmission on my 99 RX300 does the same, but its been that way since new. It slows down when letting off the gas rather than coasting like its in neutral. Mine only has 35k so I'm not worried about a failure just yet. Will probably sell at 50K. The car sits at my second home in Lake Arrowhead.

The transmission on my 1999 RX300 with 110k miles just went out. I have all of the maintenance records and Lexus did the 90k service work. It's at the Lexus dealer so I waiting to find out the bad news.

I have a 99 with 70K miles on it and so far the car has been relatively trouble free. However I did have some typical RX300 problems:

-the D light is burnt out- no big deal

-Both rear suspension mounts were replaced around 40K miles

-the AC went out recently.

I change the oil religously with Mobil 1 every 7K miles or so. I have changed all the fluid every 2-3 years. I'm not planning to change the transmission fluid every year in the hopes of avoiding transmission failure. I know every car has some problems regardless of the price range- look at Mercedes Benz S class. I guess Lexus/Toyota has created a higher expectation and when something goes wrong. The consumer is much more disappointed.

My transmission has not failed -- knock on wood, but I am having similar problems like some people here.

The car slows down (sometimes jerks back) when I let off the gas pedal rather than coast. That occurs during any weather condition.

As far as winter goes, the car's transmission will not shift at all during the first 2-5 minutes of drive. It feels like I'm driving in the same gear while the RPM gauge reaches 4000-5000 RPM. Which is why I need to drive at a slow speed during that initial drive. Someone here had said that some mechanic had told them that was normal? Are they serious??? I have two other cars and none of them have problems like that.

My car is a 2000 model with 60K miles. My extended warranty expires this month. Not sure if I should sell or get something looked at by the mechanics at the dealership?

Hamilton200@yahoo.com.

Just wanted to add to my comment above...

I had just returned from the dealership where I had left my car overnight for an inspection of the transmission. Apparently the mechanics ran a diagnostic test and found absolutely nothing wrong with the transmission. I was assured that everything was OK with the transmission.

I was told, however, that the transmission fluid was a little dark. This is not a Lexus dealership, btw. They suggested that I do a complete transmission fluid flush/exchange for about $200. They said that they needed to order special transmission fluid for this car, which is why this is so costly.

If I decide to go with this service, should I do this at a non-Lexus dealership or should I have a Lexus mechanic do this? And does $200 sound right?

Hamilton200@yahoo.com.

Wow. Add another to the list. I stumbled across this website today - thanks to those who have shared their experiences good and bad.

I purchased a 2001 RX300 from the original owner in May 2007. 2 weeks later on my annual golf trip up to the Carolinas, the transmission went out at $82K!! This blew my mind. The car has been lady-driven by the previous owner, no towing, and 2WD. My 95 Camry V6 SE and 2001 Lexus GS430 have been solid as rock. Anyway... I was very lucky on 2 accounts: (1) I was near a dealer (Lexus of Greenville) and (2) the car was still under an extended warranty (6 year/100,000 mile). Phew. The Lexus dealer service was great - they towed the car on a flat bed, gave me a 2007 RX350 loaner (nice) so I could continue my trip, and replaced the transmission (approx $3800). No cost to me and my main dealer in Orlando (Lexus of Orlando) helped coordinate the warranty info since I had just purchased the car.

The repaired transmission seemed fine on the way back, but I am now leery of future problems when the warranty runs out in Dec 2007. I have noticed the idle is rough (perhaps an engine mount?) and will be taking the car into the dealer next week.

What I don't understand: Why isn't this problem showing up on Consumer Reports data?

Just wanted to add another data point to this thread.

If I do sell, I will go with a 4Runner and the V8 powertain.. not quite as luxurious or smooth riding, but that powertrain is very proven (used since 1998 in LX470, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, etc. and proven to be very reliable.)

PS My model is a 2001. Did anyone ever confirm the transmission design was changed after '99/'00???

My advice would be to not fall for these scams where quickie lube places tell you that you need to get your transmission fluid flushed. Take it to the dealer and have them look at it, and do the work if necessary.

Also, look in your owner's manual for the maintenance schedule, and compare it to the miles on your car. These "transmission flushes" are useless because they don't change the filter. If you let the "non dealer" place do it, mark my words, your next stop will be AAMCO where you will really get taken for a ride for a transmission rebuild.

I am in shock reading this page! I have a 2001 RX300 with 103,00 miles. I was on my way to Georgia from Texas and my car completely died on I-20 in Vicksburg. We were almost rear ended - my 3 year old son and my 60 year old mother were with me. My car was towed to the only dealership in the entire state and they promptly told me it was the transmission with a replacement cost of $4600. We did have the extended warranty that went out 3,000 miles prior to the breakdown. The worst part of this is that now I am stuck with the car for as long as it will go. After investing $5000 in it I am surely no going to get rid of it for a few years at least.

Here is the kicker... my husband had taken my car to the oil and lube place TWO days before we left for on our trip to make sure everything was good. They flushed the transmission fluid. Do you guys think that it maybe had something to do with the transmission failing? Everything was perfect with the car until I stopped and got gas in Vicksburg. As soon as I got on I-20 it started acting up.

Any advice on how to get any money back? Do you think that since we got the last service at a non Lexus place I cannot get at least my labor money back?

Also, has anyone confirmed whether the transmission were supposedly fixed by the year 2001?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

MandyL97@aol.com.

I have a 99 RX300 and man I can't believe the issues I have had. My D light is also out. I have had to replace a sensor ($600) and now I was just told I have to replace the A/C Clutch at $1054 (part only cost $200 at most parts places). It is always something with this car. and the dealership is loving the fact they can charge an arm and a leg to fix all this stuff. It amazes me that a $23 part (Drive Belt) can end up costing me $300 at the dealership. How can this car be such a lemon when most Toyota's are so great?

(this is just some of the work that has been needed in the last 5 months)

OK, I am glad that I ran into this page. I am very very hesitant to buy a Lexus now. I am wondering why no other site has posted these kinds of warnings, or why Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com rate this car so highly?

WOW! I thought I was in this Lexus Nightmare by myself. I have the 2001 rx300 that I purchased brand new with 7 miles on it.

For the first 4 1/2

years I have to say that this car has given me great rides short and long. But starting a year ago I have continued to put thousands of $$ into this car. It has been to all it's service appointments including the major oil leak $3000 also timing change $2200 and now the tran is shot! $5000 with labor and CT high tax. It is currently sitting at the lexus dealer while I decide if it's worth fixing or should I just trade it in. Oh by the way lexus offered me $3000 for a trade in towards a 2008! I didn't no whether to laugh or cry when he gave me that ridiculious quote. my car has 156000k. Personally I wouldn't recommend ANYONE to buy a used RX300 and if you buy new DON'T keep it passed the warranty. you may not have problems now... trust me you will and when you do you will be shelling out BIG cash! GOOD LUCK!