1999 Lexus RX300: stuck in gear or won't shift

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 Jul 19, 2011 · Transmission · 142,500 miles · MA

138,000 used vehicle. Upon purchase did timing belt, water pump and all belts. Then had a transmission flush. Went on a 500 mile round trip and upon returning lost overdrive. Made it home then next day a severe lose of power and trans would not shift. After restarting would shift but no overdrive. After investigating found hundreds of similar incidents when you query lexus transmission failure. I can understand losing a transmission but reading all these complainants it is clear that this product is defective.

Filed Jun 8, 2010 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · CA

1999 lexus rx 300 91k miles, owned since new, all service at dealer as required, transmission just went out. Found a website with many complaints, same thing, low miles. Obviously a dealer defect, this is not right! I bought a lexus so it would be reliable. My chevy silverado 1993 is going stronger than this car. Since I bought the car, it did not upshift right. Lexus always said this was not a problem. I notice other people complaining of the same symptom. This failure was sudden other than that. Just in a parking lot & suddenly it would not shift going forward. 1 1/2 years ago my mechanic happened to check my tranny fluid, it was black. He drained & replaced it. I was livid, I had paid for all dealer maintenance. That was at roughly 80k miles. Supposedly this was done at 60k miles by lexus (I'm not sure if they did the work now, or not) there were metal shavings in the fluid. Something appears to be wrong with this design, and looks like they did a bandaid in later models. I am seriously considering getting a class action lawsuit against them, I should not have to pay $5k for a new tranny now, that is why I bought a lexus. My celica was still going strong at 175k miles when I sold it. Check this website: http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/lexus/rx300/r54694/comments/page-2/ [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

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 26, 2009 · Transmission · 152,052 miles · CA

Transmission had slipping problems about 6 months ago. Drained trans & changed filters. Removed shift solenoids & checked to see if they operated. Road tested fairly good. Found out from reputable trans repair person that this particular year model trans has had many problems that lexus has not been addressing. They can rebuild trans but cannot update computer for the shifting problems which will ruin trans during test drive. Now my trans will not go into reverse.

Filed Mar 17, 2009 · Transmission · 103,671 miles · CO

During normal driving - the engine started to rev higher than normal - barely got the car home (2 1/2 miles) - going down the road with a 55mph speed limit at 20 MPH, the next day I took the car for a short test drive and it would not shift - will be taking the car (99 rx300) to a shop to have it fixed.

Filed Sep 30, 2008 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. While driving less than 75 MPH, the vehicle dropped to low gear and would not accelerate past 25 MPH. The dealer stated that the transmission failed. The repairs were made at the contact's expense. Less than four years later, while traveling after an extended drive, he attempted to accelerate from a stop sign. The vehicle hesitated and would not shift into gear. The vehicle continued to slip into first gear intermittently. An independent mechanic serviced the vehicle and stated that the transmission either needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 240,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2007 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · FL

At 67,000, my transmission would not shift. Fortunately, this occurred in my driveway and not on the road. No warning, just no transmission. After replacing transmission, check engine light stuck on. Replaced a broken sensor. I am out $4,000.00 for a defect that I believe lexus is very aware of.