Our 1999 rx300 has only 70,000 miles and the transmission failed while my wife was driving on a very busy street. The failure was very dangerous because she was in the midst of traffic when she could not maneuver her car safely to the curb. She was able after sitting in traffic for awhile to restart the car and move the car over to the curb. She called for a tow truck which towed the car to our mechanic's shop. The cost for a rebuilt transmission will cost us $5000. After search the internet, we have found that many many !999 rx300 owners have had the same problem and with many dangerous situations of being without power to move safely off freeways and highways. T there ought to be a manufacturer's recall on this car and a charge to toyota america to develop a fix for the problem before someone is killed because of this problem with the transmission. Has there been any media investigations into this? Lexus being the flagship for toyota, you would think that toyota would take care of this problem without having their arms twisted.
1999 Lexus RX300 transmission complaints
Page 5 of 5: complaints 101 to 129 of 129, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Have a lexus rx 300 1999 model with 4x4 drive. The car ran ok for 80,000 miles or so. Our current mileage is around 81,000. The car was being driven on an expressway when it got really slow (15 MPH) and then stopped on its own. I barely avoided a major accident. Anyways, I took the car to a repair shop and they tell me the transmission needs to be replaced and will cost me 4800 to do so. Please help. Apparently this is a very common problem for rx 300 1999-2000 models. The google search online brings up tons of blogs mentioning the same problem. Here is a copy of one of the blogs posted on http://www.carsurvey.org/viewmorecomments_review_54694_2.html many lexus cars are equipped with a defective transmission that fails prematurely. Lexus admits this, but will not back up their product when the event occurs out of warranty (7/70) - unless the vehicle was purchased and serviced exclusively at a lexus dealership. Since the manufacture is responsible for the replacement costs (not the dealer), the practice of replacing only dealer-serviced cars appears arrogant and discriminatory. If repair records can be provided showing that transmission service was done according to the dealer service intervals - and by a certified garage - then the manufacturer should back up their product regardless. In our particular case, we have a babied 1999 rx300 that started making odd noises while in the warranty period, and then failed completely (post-warranty). The dealer has declined our request for a redesigned replacement transmission free of charge. We have submitted a claim through the lexus customercare number (1.800.448.1505), but understand that the manufacturer simply follows the recommendation of the dealer in question. In other words, we're at the mercy of the dealer and their discriminatory policy. We're still awaiting the manufacturer judgment, but hold out very little hope.
Hi, I am owner of lexus rx300 awd. The rx300 transmission broken down at 115k miles. I was on highway going 60 MPH without any warning the transmission broken. I did some research and found out that rx300 has a very high rate failure on transmission.
I own a 99 rx300 awd. Purchased the car from a dealership corporation that also owned lexus of serramonte in sf bay area at 68k miles. The vehicle apparently had all services done on time as my dealer noted and was serviced at their facility since the vehicle left their dealer lot. So the car was locally owned and repaired. At 74k my transmission started to act up where I found the car to be bellow 20% of its temperature the car will either not shift into 4th or over drive. My dealer told me to replace the transmission fluid but that only worsened the problem where if the engine is bellow that temperature it will start jumping when going from 1st to 2nd, and takes a while to shift between gears. The dealer tells me that this is normal operation of any car at 90k miles. Now my biggest problem is that my car stalls if it''s at it normal temperature after starting it up, it will die, unless I keep the pedal depressed for fuel to flow into the engine after the starter disables. I owned plenty of cars well over 20 and never had any of my vehicles ever had a similar problem except one car that has been totaled twice in its entire life. This is not a normal vehicle behavior nor appropriate dealer response when trying to keep a great customer relationship. This creates a lot of distrust and feeling that you're having your leg pulled. This is an issue that needs to be addressed by the vehicle manufacturer and turned into a recall, as I am finding out that 90% of 99-2000 lexus rx300's out there have the exact same problem.
My 1999 lexus rx 300 transmission failed caused by a faulty design in the front planetary assembly. I have followed up online and there are 1000's of postings of the exact same thing happening to this model. The cost is $5000 to repair. With such a high failure rate (based upon the information I have gathered) I am confused as to why a recall has not been issued.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 75 MPH, the vehicle began to coast to a stop without warning. The vehicle was pulled over, allowed to cool down, then proceeded 100 miles. This cycle recurred until arriving at the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop which determined the planet pinion gear failed. The vehicle was being towed to the dealership to have to transmission replaced.
First failure happened during a left turn at a busy multi-lane intersection. Transmission dropped out of gear instead of shifting leaving me powerless at a very vulnerable time. The vehicle had sufficient momentum that I managed to drift up and over an adjacent curb. I was at the mercy of alert drivers in the intersection at the time. A lexus rebuilt transmission was installed by a toyota mechanic. After 12 months and many attempts at getting the engine light to remain extinguished I was advised today by lexus of calgary that the second transmission is now failing. The first transmission and now this one are failing to shift when required most, recently while attempting to accelerate during a lane change. It is dangerous to not have power when you need it most.
Even though having all major service performed by the lexus dealer, plus having the transmission fluid and filter changed twice, the transmission failed and needs replacing at a high cost. I am aware of hundreds of others who have had similar problems with the rx300.
When starting my 1999 lexus rx 300 after work, I noticed a "whining" sound coming from the engine. My commute home is about 15 miles. I noticed when driving that it would "jerk" when trying to change gears. It made me think back to a couple of months back when I was in a parking space and put the car into reverse and started to ease out of the parking space when it felt like someone has hit me or I had hit something. I got out, but nothing? I then got back into the car and started to leave and the car would go into reverse, but when applying the gas the car would not move. I tried again and the car finally "caught" into gear and made a terrible sound. I noticed in the weeks leading up to the day of failure that the car would have a hard time changing into second gear. It would "wind out" before catching. Now, the day of the failure, I was leaving work and I noticed a "whining" sound in the engine and in my commute home it got worse. The car started jumping back and forth and the rpms were randomly jumping. Even while coasting down a hill the rmps would jump and accelerate and slow down the car making it jerk. At times it would act as if it was in neutral and I was traveling at 45 miles per hour. When this would happen, the rmps wouldn't move? My car has approximately 78k miles on it. I immediately told my husband, we called lexus and took it straight to them. I had to get a rental car. I got a call the next day to tell me that the pump failed and the transmission fluid was black and the transmission was gone. It's going to cost $4,600.00 to repair. There are many other cases exactly like mine. This should be a recall!
The car was working perfectly. One day while stopped at a red light the transmission blew, and I could not move. Had to pay $4000+ out of pocket, the warranty just expired 2 months before and lexus would not stand by their product. The car had approximately 80,000 miles. After doing research, it turns out hundreds of people on the internet experience the same problem in the rx300 1999 and 2000 awd. How can lexus not be held responsible for a recall. They refuse to acknowledge any fault, but I find it hard to believe when so many people experience the same problem.
Lexus 1999 rx 300 awd transmission failed - marked drop of acceleration power on freeway. Since original purchase of new vehicle, it has received regular service maintenance through the dealership. Last service included a flush of the transmission. Problem experienced at 74,000 miles. Dealership advised that lexus no longer offers a transmission rebuild and that I needed to take it to a transmission repair shop (found out later that's not entirely true). Transmission has been rebuilt including solenoids, planetaries, torque converter, sun gear) at cost of over $4,200. I've since discovered that several '99 rx300 owners have experienced transmission failure or issues at relatively low odometer mileages, and lexus customer service has acknowledged this as well.
My 99 lexus rx300 had a transmission failure @ 82000 miles. After being serviced properly on a regular basis by authorized repair specialists.
My 1999 lexus rx 300 transmission failed while I was traveling at 70 MPH down the highway. The dealer agrees my service record was in "tiptop" shape and yet I lost all gears with 66,000 miles on the car. Searching the internet reveals that there are many instances of this same problem. Of course, my warranty just expired 4 months ago. Lexus offered to split the $5000 replacement cost in half. It seems to me they should cover 100% of the cost.
The manifold system on my 1999 lexus rx300 had to be replaced at only 68,320 miles which cost well over $1,000. Usually the manifold system on a car is not replaced. Lexus should be repsonsible for this problem. Please look into this problem for us. I also had the jellying problems with the engine. Yes, I do all the required only changes and etc.
At 68k miles, I took to independent garage in january & march 2004 with problem of vehicle hesitating to shift from 2nd to 3rd. Garage could not duplicate problem and changed transmission fluid. I let vehicle warm up 2 minutes to avoid the shifting problem. In september & october with 72k miles, I took to dealer with additional problem of failing to engage the reverse gear and shuddering in forward gear. Dealer could not duplicate and changed the transmission fluid. In november 2004, the transmission dropped completely out of gear while driving on the street. This time dealer found metal shavings in the transmission fluid and said I needed $4250 to replace with a remanufactured transmission warranted for only 12 months. Lexus should have paid to replace their defective transmission instead of hiding their head in the sand.
Jan 2004-vehicle was taken to an independent garage to determine cause of gear failure between 2nd and 3rd. Failure could not be determined. Mar 2004-vehicle was taken in again to independent garage to determine cause of gear failure between 2nd and 3rd. Failure could not be determined. Septembe r 2004-vehicle was towed to dealer after gear failure in reverse and shudder in forward. Failure could not be determined.*ak nov2004--vehicle was again towed to dealer after shudder while in drive and then gear failure in reverse and forward. Diagnosis need complete transmission assembly.
Lexus rx300-have owned car since beginning 1999-never had a problem with car except normal tune ups and new brakes-however, that all changed september 2004. Yes, I've had the car 6 six years but with only 68,000 miles on the car which is considered low mileage use. While traveling to san diego to take my granddaughter back home from my current home at the time in aliso viejo, california my auto while on the I-5 just completely dropped out of gear-I had enough speed going that I was able to get off the freeway and came to a stop at the camp pendleton marine base front gates. The soldiers were able to push my car behind their station gate until aaa could send a truck to tow me and for my son to pick up my granddaughter there. My transmission was completely gone and cost me over $4,000.00 to get it fixed. I was told by the repairman that the planetary gear is what broke but that lexus has had to update the planetary gear for my model and year 4 (four) times. It sounds to me that lexus knows that they had a problem with this main gear and I want to know why there was never a recall to have it fixed. Lexus is rated tops so why would my transmission go out at only 68,000 miles? I had no choice but to have it repaired immediately because I was moving to florida in two weeks and didn't have the time or wheels to take my complaint to the dealer. Is there any recourse since the planetary gear was clearly defective?
After having my transmission replaced by lexus of roseville, california the remanufactured transmission from lexus dropped out of gear during moving traffic, endangering my family with the loss of drive in heavy traffic.
Transmission failure with 1999 rx300. My transmission is shot. We only have 85,000 miles on the car. The dealership is telling me that we should have changed the transmission oil more frequently. However, we were never approached with this recommendation during service visits. The vehicle has always been a little sluggish. We bought the vehicle in ca and two years ago moved to nc. During one of our first service visits, we asked them about the performance. The service staff at the time told us it was inherent to the design. Even worst, we bought the pre-own vehicle in ca. We were told that it was throughly inspected. They even presented a inspection certification certificate. We I presented this certificate to the dealer in nc, they are telling me that it does not match the VIN for my vehicle. Also, they can not track any information of this inspection in their internal network. Now I have a castistrophic failure on a vehicle that I bought for $30,000 with only 85,000 miles!?!? Please help with any recommendations. Thanks.
Catastrophic failure of transmission due to fatigue of internal part resulting in total failure.
There is a shudder of the transmission when shifting from first to second gear at approximately 2000 RPM's. The vehicle is equipped with all-wheel drive. I bought it with 65,570 mi. The dealer replaced drive shaft to rear wheels and front axle(s). The problem remains and is a nuisance regardless of vehicle temperature.
While driving, the gear shift will go into neutral, if bumped. Also I've noticed the car jerking while driving. I've taken it to an authorized dealership, but they never observed the problem and thus was never able to fix it.
I own 1999 lexus rx300, since february of the last year, I had numerous problems with the car's engine (it has sludge), transmission, emission system, and over use of gas per mile. First problem started during the first month of my ownership and since that time the vehicle has spent weeks in auto repair shops. Lexus dealer and others charged me lavish fees but never fixed the problems and lexus dealers even never admitted that serious problems existed.
The right rear wheel axle sheared in two, causing the wheel to fall off. The vehicle became violent, then completely rolled over. None of the airbags deployed. We would like a complete investigation.
Contact person: kevin ezratty service manger, bob baker lexus el cajon,ca 92020 (619) 440 5398 car overheats and stalls when towing a 2500 lb r/v trailer rx300 specs 3500lb. When towing in mountain terrain with ambient temperature around 100 degrees and going up hill, the car temp indicator will approach the red zone and will lose all power and stall. There is no warning or time to pull off the road, traffic mostly trucks makes it very scary and dangerous. The transmission was replaced and the car driven 1000 miles and it happened again, with no place to pull off. I returned the car to dealer, they have no idea if they are looking for a mechanical or electrical problem, ther is no history of any lexus rx300 with this type of failure. Their suggestions are don't drive in the mountains, don't drive in the desert, don't use the air conditioner, don't tow the r/v trailer, don't drive with any wind. They also requested that they be allowed to take my personal property, the r/v trailer and tow it around the mountains and desert and see if they can make it fail again. I asked if anyone in the facility had ever pulled a trailer, the answer was no one, so I declined. (I have $55,000 invested) I purchased this vehicle for the sole purpose of towing this trailer , now they tell me that just because the car is certified to tow 3500 lbs doesn't mean that it can. At this time we are at a stand still, they can't repair the car and I travel a lot and don't feel safe driving it. Without the trailer it seems to be fine, it is equipped with the trailer towing package. The transmission oil temp indicator does not light up, so I think the engine is becoming hot and shutting the car down, see page 208 owners manual. Your help and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.
This car is a severe safety hazard. Headlights dim to daytime running lights at night, transmission lurches between 2nd and 3rd gear and seat belt malfunctions.
Ongoing problem with erratic jerking. Also, front wheel would commence to spin, and tracking light would come on. Vehicle been in dealer shop on four occasions, and problem still reoccurring. Please feel free to provide further details.
There was a power distribution problem in the transfer case which caused the wheels to lock up at 60mph. Dlr is replacing transfer case.
When the temperture is 50 degrees or lower outside vehicle does not perform properly. Owners guide says after 2 minutes vehicle should be ready to operate, but while driving it takes vehicle 3 minutes to shift up to 3rd gear, causing the vehicle to travel at 30 MPH or less. Dealer has been contacted.
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