1999 Lexus RX300: engine failure

7 of the 221 complaints about the 1999 Lexus RX300 describe engine failure.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 6 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

2003
1
2002
5
2001
5
2000
8
1999
7

What owners say

Filed Jan 9, 2015 · Transmission · 300,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into drive or reverse. While attempting to make a turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the hood of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 300,000.

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 8, 2005 · Locks · MI

1999 lexus rx 300 developed a problem with the tailgate door latch.*mr the rear hatch handle seized and it didn't operate with the remote key entry or power locks. The consumer had to manually close the hatch to prevent it from accidentally opening while driving, which did happen twice.

Filed Feb 28, 2005 · Engine · 116,367 miles · WI

Our vehicle's oil consumption began to increase at approximately 90k miles. It would take at least a quart of oil every 700 miles or so. The check engine light also illuminated around 100k miles. Finally brought it to our lexus dealership and told that we needed a new engine block and top end overhaul. The reason given was "oil sludge" due to lack of proper service. The service dept quoted us 8,000 dollars to do the repairs. Unfortunately we did not have the money so we are going to try and find a new engine on our own.

Filed Apr 8, 2002 · Engine · MI

Engine failed due to sludge. Took to arbitration did not win. Vehicle out of service for last 10 months. Lexus dealer and customer service contacted over 50 times. Even with new policy engine still has not been repaired. Lexus and dealer have treated me like a villian. Piad for vehicle that is unuseable.

Filed Jan 28, 2002 · Engine · AL

Engine sludge, resulting in engine replacement.

Filed Oct 3, 2001 · Engine · FL

Engine design fault in the cooling channels to the cylinder head of the vehicle were made too small resulting in excessives engine operating temperatures causing frying of the engine oil turning it to sludge, the sludge clogs the engine ports eventually causing engine failure. Nlm