1999 Lexus RX300: complete transmission failure

Filed Jun 15, 2012 · Transmission · 106,857 miles · FL

On april 25, 2012, my wife and I were driving to my brothers home, a distance of 50 miles. About two miles from our destination, we stopped at an intersection. When the light turned green, I accelerated and the car went forward about ten feet and lurched to a stop in the middle of the intersection. We were thrown forward, and the driver behind us had to jam his brakes. We were able to leave the intersection only by putting the car in low gear and slowly moving through the traffic to the far right lane and into a bank parking lot. We had the car towed to a nearby mechanic. The following day I received a call from the mechanic who quoted $3,766 for transmission replacement. I authorized the work to be done. On april 27, I told a friend who was visiting our area from canada of the incident. That day, he spoke with an acquaintance who is a service representative for a canadian lexus dealer. He said that failure at around 100,000 miles is a well known problem with the 1999 lexus rx300 and that lexus had been working with customers on this issue .I went to the internet to see what I could learn. There was no recall, but there were sites referencing the pervasiveness of transmission failure in the rx300. From what we have learned , we believe that transmission failure on the 1999 lexus rx300 occurs frequently at around 100,000 miles and is caused by a design flaw in that model year. That being the case, it seems to us that lexus ought to have taken preemptive action so that owners such as my wife and I would not have to suffer a near collision, not to mention unnecessary costs and inconvenience. Lexus offered a token service credit but was unwilling to admit to any inherent problem in the rx300 transmissions and offered no comment regarding our suggestion that the owners should be forewarned of the possibility of transmission failure at around 100,000 miles.

Filed Feb 6, 2012 · Transmission · 116,000 miles · PA

My transmission went out on this car on the freeway leaving me in a very dangerous situation with my 8 month old child. This transmission was just rebuilt a year ago. You are probably aware that this issue is beyond prevalent. Stories and complaints about early transmission failure are all over the internet. You are probably already aware. So is lexus and they refuse to do anything about it. Will someone have to get killed before you demand a recall? Me and my baby could have very easily have been killed yesterday.

Filed Aug 19, 2011 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH uphill there was a burning smell and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated the transmission failed. The dealer stated there were no recalls and the repair cost would be $5000. The manufacturer advised the contact that a representative would return the call. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2011 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 80,000 miles · CA

1. On 08/17/11 around 9pm, our 1999 lexus rx300 was suddenly failed in highway of the yosemite mountain. 2. The car was towed to lexus dealer san jose, ca. The technician identified that it caused by transmission failure. We need to replace the transmission which is caused us $5000. I told the customer service person to keep the replaced part till next tuesday which is 08/23/11. We goggled on the internet and found out that this is the known issue of rx300 between 1999 through 2002 model years. The transaxle (lexus transmission) would fail after 80,000 miles of driving according to owners who reported the transmission problems. Our car is just over 80,000 miles. We don't drive that much although it is 1999 model. According to the article on the ehow website, there is no factory recall has been issued to address the transmission premature failure issue. There are many moms including myself who drive this car everyday with young kid on board. My son is 7 years old. I personal know at least 3 moms with 4 kids (5-7 years old) who drive same model year car. Please work on this case asap. At lease please release the warning to the customer to check their transmission. We hope that we are the last people who experience this tragedy incident. Thanks god we were safe. This yosemite trip we planned to go during the winter time. Thanks god we didn't make it at that time. The car failed area, our att cell even couldn't dial out 911. Thanks god there is nice person stopped his car and saved us. Thanks god the car didn't failed at mountain fire area, my son had asthma reaction to the smock. Thanks god that there was no car behind us and there is a highway turn over right ahead of us. Thank god we are safe although we were scared to death and couldn't sleep well at night.

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 Jul 14, 2011 · Electrical, Suspension · MA

I purchased used 1999 lexus rx300 in 2008 and so far I've had to replace the transmission due to unexpected catastrophic failure, both air ratio sensors, both knock sensors, oxygen sensor, front strut mounts, and now possibly have to change the transmission again (not shifting correctly). I was not aware that the 1999 to 2001 rx300s were so problematic. Since this is my only vehicle and I am still making payments on it, I am stuck footing the bill for all these repairs. Which from what I have researched are attributed to bad engineering. I am constantly having to repair a vehicle which is supposedly known for quality. The problems that I've mentioned are just the major repairs. I have other minor issues such as rear power window must remain locked or it opens on it's own, dashboard lights do not illuminate,and power roof gets stuck open intermittently.

Filed Jul 12, 2011 · Transmission · 228,000 miles · GA

1999 lexus rx300 which had transmission service on march 17th 2011 at , began to make a whirring sound and slip out of gear while driving on interstate 85 north on saturday july 9th 2011. I immediatly pulled off onto the shoulder of the interstate to check the fluid and it showed full on the dip stick. On monday july 11th 2011 the rx300 in question was taken to the same dealership which performed the service of the transmission on march 17th 2011, and they informed me that I would need a new transmission costing upward of $4500. After further investigation I have found there are thousands of complaints regarding the rx300 model years 1999-2001 describing the exact same drive train failure. It is apparent that lexus is aware of this issue and has failed to issue any type of warning to its consumers of impending transaxle failure due to an inferior shifting apparatus. As stated earlier service was performed on my rx300 and any mention of impending problems were absent. As a consumer I feel that it is the responsibility of lexus to warn its customers of any problems which may arise due to inadequate equipment. Below are links to other websites which list complaints of the exact transaxle failure. A recall for repairs should be issued as this is a serious vehicle failure. If I had been informed of this impending issue costly repairs and damage certainly would have been avoided. Us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28020 - http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/webx/.f111d9c/1. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Jun 11, 2011 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · AL

My daughter was driving her 1999 lexus rx300 to work when, in heavy traffic, the transmission completely disengaged almost causing her to have an accident. Several cars almost hit her while she tried to navigate the car off the roadway to a safe place. Carried the car to the local toyota dealer (there is no local lexus dealer here) and was told the transmission would need to be replaced and the cost would be $3,700. There were no advanced indications the transmission was having problems it just suddenly quit working. This is a very dangerous scenario and we are blessed that our daughter was not involved in an accident due to the transmission failure.

Filed Mar 1, 2011 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · FL

Transmission failure at 145k no warning 4k to repair.

Filed Jan 20, 2011 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · KY

Transmission failure at 110k miles; required transmission replacement.

Filed Apr 14, 2010 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · WA

1999 lexus rx 300 vehicle 99,000 miles in very good repair suddenly stalls due to transmission failure on the freeway. No previous warning. I was very fortunate to "coast" off the highway into a safe area to stop the vehicle. It would no longer move, transmission was reported to be dead by two mechanics. After researching this model there are many reports about transmission failures some causing accidents and injuries. Neither was the case with my incident but it is a disturbing trend.

Filed Apr 6, 2010 · Transmission · 118,000 miles · CA

Transmission failure.