1999 Lexus RX300 from North America - Comments

Join a forum like clublexus.com to get some real advice. The opinions here are too biased.

I just purchased a 99 RX300 with 68K on the odo. I'll post back here if/when there are problems.

Change your transmission fluid at least every 30K and you'll be fine.

As to the last comment... yes they're biased, but, if they're true, Lexus does indeed have a problem. We've been driving a '99 RX300 for 9 years. 3 years ago we made a choice - either build a new home or buy a couple of new cars. Went with the home and have no regrets. That being said, the transmission went out with 135K miles on it. Same symptoms as all of the above - wouldn't move when put in reverse (2 times), heavy slipping, and finally-would hardly move at all. Pulled off I75 in Bradenton and coasted into a Tuffy muffler shop - he recommended Aamco, took a $40 cab ride home, they came and got it the next morning, and now, almost 2 weeks later, they are waiting on the infamous "planetary gear" which is being rebuilt somewhere in Pennsylvania. If and when we get it back this Tues or Wed, bill is supposed to be $5,200.00 with a lifetime warranty. Hard pill to swallow, but first and only problem we've had with the car. Stay tuned - will update if anything changes.

Have a 1999 RX300 that I purchased new in 1998. Just turned 153,000 miles. Just noticed some slippage in tranny. Toyota Service Mgr, a friend, told me to bring in and they will do a flush. Something about a screen gets clogged and will cause tranny to slip. Otherwise, it has been an excellent vehicle.

We purchased a 2005 RX in 2005. Reading these comments gets depressing. First negative thing, other than cost, I have heard.

Second owner in 2001 of a 2000 RX300 and transmission reverse gear failed April 2008. Paid the $1,740 labor while Lexus paid the hardware bill. Noted during first month of rebuilt tranny that shifting was problematic, stiff and delayed. Began hearing a high pitched whining noise 10 months and 6,000 miles into the rebuilt tranny, and had the dealer document our tranny concerns prior to the expiration of the one-year warranty end of April 2009.

Whining noise became louder, particularly when cold. Vehicle began slipping its clutch at cruise, 50 mph on the parkway and suddenly the rpms go to 4,000, hang there a bit and then trend back down to 3,000 and eventually 2,300 normal. Rather than risk getting marooned in the 60 miles of no cell coverage on the trip to the dealer, had the vehicle trucked on flatbed 126 miles, where my cost over the GE club 100 mile limit is $130.

We are waiting to hear from the dealer and hope that with the documentation on our file, Lexus will honor the one year warranty. I don't expect resolution to be easy or quick in this issue, insofar as so much expense is on the table.

Well, looks like I'm another victim of the Lexus tranny problem.

We started to hear the high pitched whining noise everyone complains about hearing, 2 weeks ago. The trans started to slip and the check engine came on. We got it to our local shop (barely) and left it overnight. We got a call the next morning stating they couldn't move it even in neutral! We let it warm up and was able to get it down the street to our house. We had to push it with another car to keep it moving.

We just paid the thing off 1 month ago and do not have any money for the repair as I have been out of work due to a medical condition. I guess we have no choice but to trash the car or let it sit in our driveway. Lexus needs to fix this problem. We'll never buy a Lexus OR Toyota ever again!

I have a 2001 RX300 that I have been driving for more than 8 years with 163K miles. For the most part of it, I am happy with it. However, at 150K, I experienced some problems with VSC and check engine light coming on. When I took it to the Lexus dealer for check, I was told that the car needed a new transmission. It took the Lexus dealer 5 days to get the new transmission in the car... The VSC and check engine light issue was resolved... The car was OK after the new transmission work.

Now I got another issue with this car...

I sent the car in for some mileage services and some brake work on Monday, 11/02/2009, and on Tuesday (11/3/2009) when I was driving back home from work, the VSC and check engine light came back again. I took my car back to the Lexus dealer who did the mileage work on Monday for checking. Guess what, the service consultant called and said the car has a sensor problem and asks me to pay $1,395 to have it repaired/replaced. It does not sound right? Does it?

Anyone knows what is going on here?

Thanks!

Second owner of a 1999 RX 300. First owner replaced transmission. I bought at 97k miles. I replaced transmission a second time at 107k (about 1 month after the 1 year warranty expired). Dealer paid part, I paid $650 for 1/2 the labor. Now at 161k, about 2.5 years later, it feels like its happening again. Dealer won't pay anything this time. Beware.