1999 Lexus RX300 engine problems

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 179,825 miles · WA · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the rpms suddenly increased and the vehicle accelerated to speeds above 85 MPH. During the incident, flames were seen coming from the exhaust. The contact sustained a neck injury, which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who indicated that the flames created a hole in the catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (o'brien lexus in bellevue wa) were notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 179,825. *tt

Filed Mar 16, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 230,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start without the diagnostic code reader. If the diagnostic code reader was removed from the vehicle, the vehicle would shut off. The check engine light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who stated that several different failure codes appeared for the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired several times for several codes; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware, but was not familiar with the failure and did not offer a repair. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.

Filed Jan 21, 2016 · Body, Electrical · 144,000 miles · ID · fire

On january 17th, 2016, I took my '99 lexus rx300 to church, parked the car, and joined the sunday service. An hour after parking the vehicle (during which time it was not running or in use), I was told that there was smoke coming from it and went outside. Within minutes, the front end was bursting in flames. The fire destroyed the entire front portion of the car, including the engine, transmission, tires, and dashboard. I don't know what could have been the cause; it was seemingly random.

Filed Mar 5, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 228,000 miles · VA

My check engine light came on. I had the oil changed for the second time within 30 days because I thought it was an oil problem. The light went off as I was leaving the place. A couple days later the light would come on when I made turns, blink, then go back off. A few days later, it came back on steady, and the car started to jerk while I was driving on the interstate. It would jerk, then slowly increase speed. Last saturday, I applied brakes, and the car rolled another few feet. Had to swerve left to keep from rear ending a vehicle. Today, upon slowing down to enter my driveway, it did it again, and I nearly hit a brick column at the beginning of the driveway. It doesn't jerk frequently, but it seems to do it more often when I am on cruise control. I love my SUV and am always bragging about what a reliable car it is. I can't afford to replace it, retired and on disability.

Filed Jan 4, 2011 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

While driving on a 2 lane mountain road the engine on my 1999 lexus rx 300 started knocking loudly and failed. I was able to swing into a pull out and did not get hit. This failure is due to sledge build up. I am a second owner of the vehicle and did not receive notice from toyota about replacing a defective engine . I purchased vehicle in 03 had it in for repairs in 07 the dealership failed to inform me of the lawsuit and correct the engine at that time. Now this incident in 2010. I could have lost my life if I were to have been hit on this mountain road that sits on the cliff at 5,500 feet.

Filed Oct 29, 2010 · Engine · PA

Oil gel.

Filed May 20, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · 145,000 miles · WI

My 1999 -- lexus rx300 has about 140k miles on it. The car is now parked so I don't kill myself or my family while driving. A couple months ago, my car just started jerking as if it was going to cut off and my check engine light came on. I work off a major highway and I was really scared. My car speed would be 50-55mph but the rpms would be as high as 6. I have never experienced anything like that before. I went to the car repair shop - I had some mis-fires and they were fixed for $150, no problem. The car repair recommended I get my front brakes done because my miles per gallon had slipped to 15 in the city. A couple weeks later, I got my front brakes done, no problems until one evening, I was driving home when my check engine light came on again...this time I was at the stop light and my car started idling/jerking like I needed to give it some gas or it was going to die. My check engine light is now blinking on my dash board. My husband took my car to a transmission shop and the lexus dealership they say 2-coil ignitions have failed. And that my spark plugs need to be replaced. I also have some other transmission problems but in order to get the check engine light to stop blinking I have to fix, the coil ignition problem which cost between $515 to $775. Then they can run more test to see there is any more problems. My car is parked for now. There should be some sort of recall since this is a common problem with all '99 lexus rx300. This is crazy.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Engine · 20,000 miles · MI

I want you to know during this time of toyota problems and coverup, that we leased new a 1999 lexus rx300, it was maintained at meade lexus according to plan and my wife was driving on a freeway and the engine suddenly seized and the car quit working. The car had my two infant children in it at the time and she was stuck near the exit ramp with vehicles/trucks/semis bearing down on her. She and the children were scared and nearly collided with at its sudden location to stop. The car was towed to the lexus dealer and discovered sludge had ruined the motor. They would not repair it and towed the vehicle to our garage where it sat as I made payments on it. I took lexus to arbitration with my maintenance receipts and lost as the arbitrator said I may have abused the vehicle after the toyota rep showed a sample of the sludge. The vehicle still sat in the garage and months later lexus admitted fault with the oil passages on the motor and replaced the engine just in time for me to return it off lease. I agree they finally repaired it 5-6 months later, but this failure nearly cost my families life and was ignored by lexus. The dates stated here are approx and here is an informational link I found http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/01/toyota_sludge_settlement.html I would love to testify about the poor treatment and ignoring attitude about my problem.

Filed Jul 18, 2009 · Engine, Transmission · 141,000 miles · SC

I have read as many of the owners of 1999 lexus rx300 SUV , I am not surprised to know that I am now a proud owner of a brand new transmission that failed on my wife while returning from greenville to columbia sc. The transmission was indicating problems by shifting slow as many other complaints that have been filed . When these transmissions start to fail you experience slow shifting when the car has been sitting , even if you let the car warm up first before moving into any gear drive or reverse. When you try to back up in reverse the transmission will not shift into gear, then jumps into gear hard. I have been in the mechanical field for 35 years working for bridgestone/firestone ias a managing partner of retail locations and know this is the signs of transmission problems. This vehicle has been serviced only by lexus only. Also are severe oil sludging problems, have serviced hundreds of these models and every horror story is the same . Oil sludging causes severe engine damage restricting oil flow through out the engine. When is our rights as consumers going to be upheld by our government . I don`t think I want to buy other new transmission from toyota corporation or another toyota product . The cost to repair was $4075.00 and the only transmissions available are thru toyota with apparently with the new design . These problems were corrected in 2002 with the new design, what about us the owners of the defective ones!!!! Chapin s.c.

Filed Mar 17, 2009 · Engine · NC

When I run the air conditioning system, water seeps from under the floor board on the passenger side, sometimes up to 3/4 inch. I have to use a vacuum and or a cup to get it out. It is damaging the body. Please advise.