Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-137
We have owned our 1999 Lexus RX 300 since new, and have treated it well. Until last year (2006) it gave us no problems. Last year, the engine light came on and the dealer could find nothing wrong, so re-set the sensors and sent us on our way. Several months later, the engine light came on again. This time the dealer cleaned the sensors and sent us away. We were told that the sensors sometimes get dirty and just need cleaning. The light came back on a few days later. We assumed it was just the sensors mis-reading, and continued to drive the car. A month or so later, our oil light came on. Checking the oil level indicated that there was almost no oil in the car, although the car was not leaking oil on the ground, and did not seem to be burning it.
Monitoring the oil for the next while, we discovered that we were using up 1 litre of oil every 700 kilometers). The dealer now indicates that there is a problem with the engine, although they can't be certain what the problem is. We have two options: Replace the valves at a cost of approximately $1700,00 and hope it solves the problem, or replace the engine. Our car has 174,000 kilometres on it, which is not a great deal for a Toyota engine. After reading the comments here, I am hesitant to spend any money on the car, in case the transmission and seals also start to give me problems.
I am also surprised that not many of the comments here have reported problems with the engine, and thought I would add my recent experience to the list.
August 28, 2007 Owner of 2000 RX 300 purchased used at 67000 has been a dream until last year started with 0-2 sensor, and various tail lights, nothing to compare with being stranded on my way to work yesterday morning. Stopped in the yield began to accelerate and the truck jerked violently made some noises and then just stopped. It would not go forwards backwards or roll in neutral. Being a stranded female in morning traffic I did panic, but not as much as reading these entries of a 4000 $ repair. My truck has been towed to the shop awaiting our fate, I will contact the Lexus dealer, but do not have a lot of faith. Thanks Mississippi.
Thinking that my issue might be the battery, and doing the normal “Google” search, I am now horrified to find that there are so many with engine problems! Owner of a 2000 RX300. Love it! She has always been reliable (hoping not to jinx myself) and I am planning to give to my teenage daughter next year when I purchase another Lexus. 126K miles and recently have had some problems starting the car. This problem is sporadic and just seems to stall out. I usually have to try a few more times, rev the engine, and get gas into it (read this problem in another posting). For the past week, every morning after starting her without any issues, my clock and info settings are reset (1:00 am/MPG setting). Does anyone know what these problems are and how to remedy? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Like others, my "D" light has been nonexistent for a while. The only other thing I notice is that it sometimes sounds like there is a squirrel in my glove box scratching around.
I own a 1999 rx300. I took it to the dealer to have them check the transmission at 55000 because it did not seem in sync. They played it off that it is the nature of the beast. I bought it and like most people at 80000 it crapped out. OUTRAGEOUS! I bought this Lexus to get 150000 with no major problems. They flim flamed me and know it. Has any other owners noticed that you did not get an extended warranty offer like they do with the other cars they sell? That’s because they know they have junk transmissions in the rx300. If there are any class action lawyers reading this here is a money maker. I am done with Toyota for ever after this. Burn me once same you / twice not gonna happen!
I too, own a 1999 Lexus, RX 300, pre-owned/certified, w/41,000 miles. In response to September 2007, regarding battery vs. engine problems. I recently experienced the clock reset to 1:00, and key-less entry not working. It was the battery, replaced it, and the engine light came on, apparently the system needs to reset if the battery has been disconnected. If you replace battery, make sure it is the correct size as the original from the factory, otherwise you will experience even more problems. The new battery took care of the problems, and the engine is still good.
Regarding the transmission, I have 93,000 on the same trans, it is slow to shift at start up in cool weather (Southern Cal weather), has always from day one. Love the car, but do not trust it at this mileage. Other reviews I read say that the rebuilt trans. only lasts approx. 40k. I'm already shopping for a car replacement. Lexus should step up to the plate for the bad transmission design.
I just joined the ruined transmission club: 1999 RX 300 (bought new in 1998) now with 110K miles, and with no warning the transmission quit in the middle of the freeway. In the rain.
I have been happy with the car, and 7 1/2 years is longer than I ever kept a vehicle before. I always planned to drive this one into the ground. I just didn't think it would come quite this soon.
If a re-built will get me another couple years, I'll probably go for it. But from AAMCO, not the dealership, which will cost at least 1/3 as much.
2000 RX300 owner... have the same transmission issues. Dealer told me it will cost $850 for knock sensor replacement. My friend/mechanic checked the transmission fluid (dealer never looked at it, even though I explained my issues) Friend says transmission is shot. NOT HAPPY. Car has 81K on it. Two months after I bought it (pre-owned/certified) rear main seal leaked and Lexus paid for a new small block engine. Now... I see that was a sign of things to come. Thanks for the website info. I'll be visiting this very soon. Lexus should face the music... they have 2 very bad years of production on this vehicle.
My turn. I bought my Lexus RX300 for my mom in 2005 with 55,000 miles on it. Came back from Iraq in 2007 and the transmission went out. At the same time the car dealership sold me the extended warranty plan which expired in 24 months or 24,000 miles. I think they knew the problems the Lexus RX300 was having and capitalized on my lack of automobile knowledge. I will never buy a Lexus again or allow anybody I know buy one.
The RX300 is a very reliable and fantastic vehicle. It's probably the same person writing all of these comments.
No, not the same person writing all the comments. I have a 2000 Lexus RX 300. I bought it with 42K on it with a 4 year extended warranty. Under the warranty, the following were repaired/replaced by the lexus dealer:
O2 sensor
Mass Air inflow sensor
Rear Main Seal
Cam Seal.
Since the warranty has expired (April 2007), I had the knock sensors replaced (was quoted $1100 by the dealer for replacement of ONE sensor), but had both replaced by another mechanic for $875.
Timing belt was replaced when engine was apart for the Rear main seal and cam seal repair, but they never changed the drive belt. The mechanic who fixed my knock sensor said the dealer should have done that when the timing belt was done. He showed me where the belt was cracked. They obviously wanted me to come back in and pay another $400 in labor for replacement of a $50 part that could have been done before.
The heat in my car is now not working.
I had the 2 sensors replaced in the first 3 years, but this year everything else was done. Seems like it's all happening at once and I'm afraid to hold on to the car after reading about all of the transmission problems. It seems OK, but like others it doesn't shift from 1st to 2nd very well when I drive it first thing in the morning.
Not sure what I'm going to do. It's paid off in April and I sure would love to not have a car payment for a while.
"23rd Oct 2007, 00:03
The RX300 is a very reliable and fantastic vehicle. It's probably the same person writing all of these comments."
Sure it's reliable--until it reaches 50,000 miles. Wake up!
Just adding to the stories of premature transmission troubles. My wife bought a 1998 RX300 privately. The first owner kept it immaculate to the 75,000 mile point at which we got it. It's been another 70,000, almost, and the tranny's gone out. There was very short indication that the unit was slipping, according to my wife, and then it quit.
Dealer says they don't repair the units --- simply replace them, to the tune of $5,000...Being late Saturday I haven't had a chance to look for alternatives (available used units from salvage yards, independent shops, etc.)
Obviously, Lexus is doing their best to ignore this matter long enough for the bulk of the older RX's to die off... Sad. We had really felt that we had something of better quality than other vehicles...
BJS bruce@father-and-son.net
2001 rx 300, 78k. tranny just died. there goes $5k.
Just bought a 99 Lexus RX 300. 5 Days ago
The transmission,when cold, has trouble shifting from third
to forth and the fluid does look darker. I should get the tranny fluid flushed and the filter replaced. Will this extend it's life or have I just made a terrible mistake?
It also needs a ton of suspension work.
Please help as I have no where to go.
The Lexus dealer is not the best I've been told.
Please help, in Canada.
Got my 2000 RX300 in 2003. Since then, I never stop having some of the problems mentioned here: engine light, sensors, stereo not working, and yesterday, the transmission failed at 160,000km. It will be a over 4K repair. What can I do?