1999 Lexus RX300 from North America - Comments

1999 Lexus RX300, Original Owner... I wasn't happy when the transmission broke down about 180 miles away from my home. It costs me $5K, plus one week of rental car and 360 miles round trip to pick up my car after the repair. (This happened at 125K). A year later, I was having a overdrive problem (not able to shift to overdrive). It cost me $1,000 to replace O2 sensors which resolved the problem. Now, (another year later) Overdrive problem came up again. There goes another $1,000. Can't believe this. This is the first automatic transmission auto and the first Toyota product I ever owned, yet I spent the most money on this car. I'm going back to Manual transmission vehicle and I will not buy any Toyotas.

'99 RX FWD original owner over 125K miles; very satisfied with a very reliable vehicle; pricey services, but typically a good experience with quick paperwork, courteous help, ready loaner cars; Tough car, too... got rear-ended 6 years ago and totaled the car who hit me and who I got launched into, but I drove away. O2 sensors went out, D light has been out for a while, passenger door auto-lock doesn't work anymore, and the OEM tires stink, but, do all the schedule maintenance, replace the bulbs that go out here and there, brake jobs, etc. and she treats me just right. True that cold weather is tough on her and she does need some warming up to get out of 1st & 2nd gear. She drives a lot better with low insurance and no car payments though. I heartily recommend the RX!

Chalk up another dead 2000 RX 300 Trans!! I read about this transmission issue, before we bought our 2000 RX300 with 135K about six months ago. I ran it by many people I trusted in the car business and all replied with roughly "it's solid as a rock" Don't Worry. A lifelong friend and design engineer at Nummi asked around for me and came back with the party line. I even made my #1 mechanic guy look at the trans before we bought it and he told me "solid". Then on Thursday the wife says tranny acted weird today. On Friday it blew and left her without the ability to move on the Freeway. Took it back to my mechanic, and he said it looks like a grenade went off in there. Even at his cost this thing is $3000 or more to replace.

I'm not sure why, but Lexus/Toyota and others are holding the party line on this, and refuse to admit any kind of mistake on this U140F trans. I've done a ton of research, and truly believe this is a major problem and you are on your own. Sadly since no one ever takes this overweight piglet off road, no one offers a remedy as there is no market for it.

Best remedy I have heard is to put on a after market Trans Cooler, and religiously flush ($100) your trans every 15K or less, and do a full service ($350) (filter and flush/fill) every 30K. Also everyone says "get the updated version" to avoid the problem. Yet no one can tell you what was updated and fixed. Even the best trans guys don't claim to know whats wrong with them as they are so blown up when they get them, they can't tell what failed.

So Buyer beware!!! And if you read all this information on this topic and choose to accept the old "it's a Lexus /Toyota, 200K for sure" Party Line, you will be sadly disappointed with an RX 300.

To those like me who don't believe anything they read, check out clublexus. com and Lexusownersclub. com They sadly have heaps of info on this topic and for me the numbers speak for themselves!!!

Hope this helps one of you hold on to you 5 Grand.

I'm the original owner of a '99 RX300 with low miles (57k). I've had no problems so far except years ago when the check engine light came on due to an O2 sensor. Dealer quoted me about $450 to replace it, but a mechanic friend said to first try squirting it with air to clean it and that worked with no problems since. Yesterday, however, wouldn't start, despite new battery and trying to jump it. Went to non Lexus shop where they replaced the starter for $400. That seems like a premature failure at this mileage and I'm now pretty concerned about what to expect soon given the experiences related at this site.

Purchased a '99 RX300 with 39K miles and at 81k had no oil press. Lexus dealer 100 miles away said oil gel problem, will replace engine at no charge. We were pleased with dealer response.

At 78K miles $30 contacts in starter failed, but labor ran cost to over $300. At 83K miles the transmission started to act up, hesitation on acceleration and jerky shifts.

Overhaul of transmission at private shop was $2200 but noises caused us to change all motor mounts, cost about $1000. Car now in regular service, but shifts are very jerky, far from smooth.

As it was when we got it. Now looking for an alternate brand replacement vehicle, no more Lexus. We do not trust this vehicle to now make a round trip.

I bought a 525 BMW wagon as a backup, and am now looking at a BMW X3 as a replacement for the Lexus. Lexus is not admitting to the real problem.

Uh, I'd do a little more research on the BMW X3 if I were you.

It's like this. We bought a 1998 RX300 brand new hoping for the reliability and safety of a Lexus. At 70K the first trans went out. At 110K the ECM for the trans went out. This week at 135K the truck is in the shop for a $4,506.83 trans. The book on the truck is $10,000.00. Be very careful if looking to purchase this model. On a positive note my 98 ES300 (knock on wood) has been very dependable.

2002 Lexus RX300 - transmission died at 129K miles when I was 100 miles from home. Getting it repaired was a $5000 nightmare because Lexus/Toyota would not help me out at all. Naturally, they said it was my fault, though they performed 95% of the service on it before that day. I bought this because I had a '99 Camry before it and it was the best car ever. Same engine in both vehicles. But, I am so furious about this. My P.O.S VW Jetta built in mexico gave me fewer problems and that is pretty sad. This is surely the crappiest vehicle Toyota motors EVER produced. Sad. very sad.

99 RX 300 in shop- 125,000 miles.

Dealership can't replicate the "shifting issues"... vehicle sometimes won't go into reverse and has sporadic problems shifting between 1st and 2nd gear... very rough/"bucks". Recently while driving 65-70 I accelerated hard and the car "freaked out"...weird noise then ran at very high rpms and wouldn't stop... I pushed the overdrive button and that made things worse (thought I blew tranny)... eventually made it to our dinner... came out and drove home... vehicle was " fine" and Lexus dealer can't find a problem. Not happy with this scenario, but have loved my Vehicle. If transmission dies I will continue up the chain of service reps until I find someone to listen and pay for at least a major portion of the repair!

2002 RX 300 - purchased at 83,000 miles - transmission growl at 103,000 - superb maintenance - in shop now for planetary gear replacement (2,500-3,400) - bought the Lexus based on my 1998 4-runner with 215,000 trouble free miles.

My 1999 Lexus RX 300 also has a D lite which is nonfunctional. Now after doing a break job fronts and backs, the rear lights icon goes off every time I hit the brakes. All the lights work. I don't have to pump the break pedal up. Break fluid level is fine. Any ideas what to look for?

We bought a preowned 99 Lexus RX300 from a Lexus dealer in 2002 with 41k miles.

No major problems until this week when the transmission died at 108k miles. We had to drive it on the shoulder for about 5 miles to get to a safe location. It would drive at a very slow speed and engine was revving. Scary situation. Had it towed to an independent auto transmission shop recommended by our mechanic. Looking at a $5200 bill for a remanufactured transmission. Comes with a 5 years/50k warranty.

Car has been out of warranty since 2005, so no help from Lexus. Am worried after reading all the posts about additional problems after we spend so much. But not in position to buy another car right now. So I guess we keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best!

I think I have another trans to add to the list. I have a 99 RX300. Bought with 20k on it. Now has 147k. Always serviced. Recently had problems shifting into reverse - thought it was the brakes. Had a brake job everything was fine. Now has started to shift very hard btw 1st & 2nd if engine isn't warmed up. Trouble between 2nd & 3rd (also when cold). Sounds like the same transmission problems. Thanks Lexus!

People, people, people.

Any car that you get that has over 70,000 miles on it has to be serviced and maintained more than usual.

I have read many posts, and I am too a Lexus 99 RX owner, and I take all of your comments into consideration, however many of you complain about the transmission dying at 110,000 plus miles this is normal. Why do I say this is normal? Unless you have owned the car out of the box, any car you get can have the potential of problems. It all depends on your driving habits and the use of the vehicle.

As close to a car that an SUV supposedly is, it is not, I know people who accelerate their SUV from zero thinking they drive a Honda Civic, which in turn will minimize the life of the transmissions.

I am not trying to come off as an expert, because I hope nothing happens to my car, but just service your car when you have to, and if problems persist, just trade it in.

Sometimes two people with the exact same car; one my outlast the other, and that's just has to do with previous care, present care and future care, and most importantly, driving habits.

We bought a certified pre-owned 2001 Lexus RX300. The vehicle had 45000 miles when purchased in December 2003. We now have 112000 miles on it. We have added approximately 67000 of our miles to the vehicle. Guess what, the transmission has given out. We are trying to get assistance through the Lexus "Good Will" program. We are hoping they pay for the parts since we feel they wore prematurely. We'll post back letting everyone know what happened.

And to the person posting 110000 miles being a norm for transmission life... we own 2 Hondas and 2 Acuras. I'm happy to say both Hondas have 130,000 + with no transmission issues. I'm sure our Acuras will do the same.