Shifter lever moves freely (and loosely) but doesn't shift the transmission into any gear. This happened in a publix parking lot after backing out of a parking space and attempting to put the vehicle into drive. Aaa was called and the rx300 had to be loaded onto a flat bed and brought to a service center.
2000 Lexus RX300 transmission complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 138, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 lexus rx300. While the vehicle was undergoing regular maintenance, the mechanic noticed metal shaving in the transmission pan. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not provided.
Transmission stop working when I was driving at 40 miles for hour no drive or reverse, I turn off the engine and on again , work for few miles and had same problem . I call a tow truck. I try again at home and now transmission doesn't work and I see smoke from the transmission dipstick coming out. I check online and many people had the same problems with the lexus rx 300.
Transmission is bad.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 lexus rx300. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted, but failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 140,369. Updated 10/22/2014*lj updated 05/19/2015
With little/no warning, automatic transmission (2wd) failed. All gears (p,r,n,d,2,1) worked like neutral gear. If this would've occurred a few minutes earlier, my children and I (located at a sharp turn over a steep hill) could've been seriously injured or killed. Apparently, this is a common problem in lexus rx300's from year 1999-2002. How many early transmission failures does it take to have a recall?
After first having to replace my transmission at 75,000 miles. It seems I will have to pay to do it again at 186,000. The problem started out with the vehicle having trouble climbing a hill. I changed the transmission oil and two weeks later the vehicle move about three feet from a parking stall made a loud noise jerked to a stop and would not move. I was able to put it into drive and repark the car. It will not reverse and had to be towed to a mechanic.
On 11/03/12 I put the transmission shifter into reverse and backed out of a driveway into the street. I then moved the shifter from "r", past "n" into "d" to move forward, but there was no engagement into any gear. The shifter just moved forwards and backwards with no resistance. There was previous no indication of any problem. The engine was still running. I didn't want to be hit by another vehicle, so I got out of the lexus and pushed it back into the driveway and turned off the engine. On 11/5/13 I disassembled the dash and shifting console and found that the shift cable was no longer attached to the shifting lever. There were pieces of some kind of plastic retainer broken around the cable termination "loop" and lying on the floor. I still have the broken parts. On 11/5/12 I called lexus corporate office at 800‑255‑3987. I explained that I could have been seriously injured (or worse). I wanted this fixed, or at least the part that holds the cable onto the shifter. They said I needed to have a "repair order #" to proceed. I was able to drive to lexus of palm beach by holding the cable on the shifter when I needed to shift. Their service manager inspected, took pictures, and provided #7200550. I then called corporate back with that #. I received a 11/20/2012 letter from lexus corporate. They would not provide any parts/repairs based on warranty expiration. On 1/13 I finally had time to effect a d.I.y repair. I made a nylon sleeve for inside the cable "loop" and used a common e-clip to retain the loop onto the shifter lever rod. Please see pictures at http://sdrv.ms/10o9rfn for damage and corrective action . Have accidents/deaths already occurred due to this? How many needless $6000 transmission rebuilds has lexus got out of this? This repair can be done in under 30 minutes for about $2 in parts. Please keep others from avoidable harm.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 lexus rx300. The contact stated that the only gear that would engage was drive. Although the contact could shift into any gear, the gears would not engage. The contact also mentioned that approximately four pistons misfired and the 02 sensor was defective. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that the transmission needed to be rebuild and the o2 sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not repaired. The failure mileage was 127,000 and the current mileage was 128,700.
Transmission will not shift into the last gear.
I serviced my lexus throughout it's life. Now the transmission suddenly locked up. After checking to see if this was a design flaw and if anyone else had the same problem, I found out it is a common problem with this year and model. When I took it to the transmission repair facility they too told me that the transmission was flawed in its engineering design and that no oil was able to reach the vital components and that over time they dried out and became brittle. I think the federal safety agency should look into this and make lexus corp. Compensate people who "got had" by lexus....this $45k car shouldn't have this happen with this low mileage.
Premature transmission failure. Purchased used with 85,000 miles. Transmission fluid changed at suggested intervals. Car will not move in any transmission selector position. After research, found that this is a common problem with this year and model lexus.
We bought this vehicle (lexus rx300 4wd) on 11/29/2002 with 27,080 miles on it from local lexus dealer. It is my wife's primary vehicle and she drives it to work daily (about 20 miles per day). At 111,000 miles the check engine light came on and the transmission was shifting erratically ie. Down shifting suddenly when it shouldn't and slipping gears. It also makes a strange constant noise. It had been more and more shifting this way off and on for 2 or 3 months. I took it to lexus dealer on 8/24/2011 because of check engine light and the service consultant stated it needs new transmission (this was said in the same tone of "you need a new air filter") and they would replace it for $5,208.80. When I asked service consultant if this was a very common problem he stated that it was not. He said my transmission could totally fail at any time even while driving. This is a definite safety issue. The operators manual states "it is necessary to change transmission fluid only if your vehicle is driven under special operating conditions" which we don't. I checked edmunds and blogs on line and there are hundreds of complaints over this issue and I think it needs to be investigated because I don't want my wife to get in an accident on the interstate and so it just sets in my garage.
2008 transmission failed at 100,600, replaced and again failed in 2011 at 131,000, failed at 134,000, now being told the ECM computer is causing the hard shifting at 2nd to 3rd upshift. Was told the same tranny is in the recalled rav4.
We bought this vehicle (lexus rx300 4wd) on 11/29/2002 with 27,080 miles on it from local lexus dealer. It is my wife's primary vehicle and she drives it to work daily (about 20 miles per day). At 111,000 miles the check engine light came on and the transmission was shifting erratically ie. Down shifting suddenly when it shouldn't and slipping gears. It also makes a strange constant noise. It had been more and more shifting this way off and on for 2 or 3 months. I took it to lexus dealer on 8/24/2011 because of check engine light and the service consultant stated it needs new transmission (this was said in the same tone of "you need a new air filter") and they would replace it for $5,208.80. When I asked service consultant if this was a very common problem he stated that it was not. He said my transmission could totally fail ant any time even while driving. This is a definite safety issue. The operators manual states "it is necessary to change transmission fluid only if your vehicle is driven under special operating conditions" which we don't. I checked edmunds and blogs on line and there are hundreds of complaints over this issue and I think it needs to be investigated because I don't want my wife to get in an accident on the interstate and so it just sets in my garage.
Full transmission failure without any advance symptoms at 103,500 miles. Vehicle regularly serviced, including 90k complete service at dealer.
With no warning signs at all the transmission on my lexus rx300 has failed. The car never previously failed to engage in any gear, however, while driving the car decreased in speed and would not switch gears to accelerate. We stopped at a red light, and the car would no longer move. Luckily we had made the rare choice of not driving on the freeway that particular night. The transmission fluid had been checked 3 weeks earlier, and the car has had regular maintenance and oil changes. After further research I am finding hundreds of complaints of the same problem with this model of lexus, and evidence that there is a design flaw in this transmission set up. For the price of these cars I cannot understand why there has been no recall. There is no reason why a transmisson should fail at 126,000 miles on this car. We have been told that the repair cost could be between $3500-$5000. This is not the quality that I expected with the purchase of this car. We have had to replace the oxygen sensors, the mass air flow sensors the vvt valves and oil pan, and now we are faced with the great expense of replacing a very expensive transmission that should still work. I am very disappointed, and while I have promoted the purchase of lexus cars to my friends and family members, and vowed to purchase again, I am not certain that I want to spend very hard earned money on the dream of quality that doesn't exist.
This letter is a follow up to a claim I made regarding my 2000 lexus rx300 and its impending transmission issues. I had requested from lexus some good faith compensation for the replacement of my transmission due to the extenuating nature of the issues surround transmission in rx300 in the model year 1999, 2000 and 2001. Soon after I purchased the car I found interesting posting at edumnds.com on the more than average failure of the transmissions. At that time I purchased an extended warranty, since I figured that it was not if the transmission failed but when. True to form and right on schedule the transmission failed at 98,000 miles. I was denied any compensation on my issue and was told that lexus had no knowledge of the problem. Background. Over 109 complaints have been filed with the national highway safety administration for 1999 rx300s, 108 for model year 2000 (mine) and over 100 for 2001. Over 56 pages on edumnds.com contain complaints on this issue. Yet I was told by the customer service representative at lexus of america that he in fact knew of no issues regarding transmissions in these vehicles. Either he was very nave or not being complete forthright with me if a simple google search produced my results. He claimed that proper servicing of the system would have avoided the issue ' which is also dispelled by other owners. I understand and accept that fact that used vehicles require a certain amount of upkeep and replacement and I accept that premise and plan for those costs. However, I do not believe that I should have to finance a repair that is truly a design flaw in the vehicle and not through any consequence of my simple ownership. I would expect more major repairs on a vehicle of a lesser quality, but not for vehicle that costs $45,000 and boasts 'the pursuit of perfection.' I see this as an integrity issue and that is what's appalling from a company that I have supported since 1989 when I bought my first camry that I sold 12 years later.
Own a lexus 2000 rx300, transmission failed while driving at highway speed, would not move in any gear. The vehicle only had 56,825 miles. Contacted a lexus dealer and no help was offered, said it would cost $6000 for the repairs.I made a formal request from lexus USA for help but they declined any responsibility. I was 1600 miles from home so I had an independent transmission shop make the repairs.lexus is in fact aware of the problems with the rx 300 transmissions, but refuses to take responsibility for their defective design transmission. I would like to know of any class action suit for this problem. I know they have redesigned the transmission on later models to correct the problem!
Bought 2000 lexus rx300 in january 2008. By may 2009 replacing transmission around130,000miles . 1st it stared like it was hesitating. By mid day on the interstate during 65/hr, the transmission went out . Had to pullover to the side of the road 30mile/hr at 4000 RPM. Transmission was replaced .drove it home 1 week later same thing. Took back to mr transmission said it was nothing wrong with transmission. Sensors oxygen replaced stop for a little bit. Noticed on and off transmission would slip. Transmission out again along with car idling high and making a popping noise. I guess nothing (recall) will not happen because no one died that seems to be how it works or if it something minor like ummm a light.
I purchased a vehicle at bond auto sales on 12/24/2010. After a few days, I called the dealership to let them know that truck was not running correctly. It was running in 3rd gear idling high. I was told that there was nothing they could do, I called back a few days later, the car would turn off , it was also eating up oil, I was told to bring in the truck so that their mechanic could look at it, and he test drove the truck and said there was nothing wrong. The salesman said that he would speak to his manager and not to take it to another mechanic. They took my phone number and my husbands phone number, we never got a call back. My husband and I took the truck to the dealership and spoke to the manager directly. I asked if they could look at the truck because I felt the problem was getting worst and it may be the transmission, they decided to take a look at the car. The manager called me to tell me that the transmission was bad, it would cost $1500.00 to repair. He wanted me to bring in $500.00 that same day, and I had not even had the car for 30 days. I asked if they could put me into another car because I really did not have the money. I gave them $4000.00 cash, when I initiated this deal, I did not have $500.00. They refused to work with me at all, I had my first car payment due january 29, 2011, and had no guarantees that the truck would be alright. The only choice that I had was to voluntarily give the car back, which I did, the same day january 20, 2011. I asked for something with the company letter head stating that I had returned the truck, and they refused. All I got was a small receipt with their logo, my info, date and it does say voluntary return 01/20/2011. I keep getting bills saying that my car pyt. Is late, even though they have the truck. Now they are going to report to the credit as a repo, and that is not fair to me. I gave the car back 1/20/11
2000 rx300 lexus. Consumer writes in regards to transmission problems *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle would not shift into gear. The repair shop found metal in the transmission fluid. The consumer was advised the transmission was beyond repair and a rebuilt transmission was installed.
Erratic shifting, transmission slippage, jerking vehicle, just missed a vehicle crash. This occurred one time without any notice or check engine light indication. Complete transmission failure, unable to move the vehicle. Transmission is being rebuilt by an independent transmission specialist. Planetary gears, solenoid, clutches, and other numerous parts.
Lexus rx300 4-w-drive [xxx] with 109,715 miles experienced a transaxle failure. Transaxle had been flushed at 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles. Repair bill was $5233.16 and the reman part was 3552.23 of the total price. This premature failure is accompanied by many premature failures as revealed in the internet talk forums and appears to be a design problem. Lexus offered $750 compensation. I question the aluminum gears and revolutions allowed during shift as possible design flaws. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Transmission had to be replaced @ 125,000 miles & still does not shift correctly... Aamco santa cruz california will not warranty it stating the problem is not the transmission it is the computer which has to be replaced even though toyota of sc did diagnostic and stated nothing wrong w/ computer in vehicle - aamco has had vehicle aprox 2 months.
2000 lexus rx300. Consumer states problem with transmission *tgw the consumer stated the wheels seized.
I have 2 lexus rx 300. One of the lexus which has 127000 miles suddenly it wont go in reverse and then after few tries and pumping gas it went in reverse. It is right now with lexus dealer and they said they couldn't find anything, but are investigating. Reading thru the web lots of people have similar problem. I hope transmission problem does not happen while driving the car and wont cause serious accidents. My wife and kids ride these vehicles. I would like to find out any steps have been taken by the federal safety agency so far in this matter.
2000 lexus rx300 with 96,600k miles. Transmission failed and locked car up in busy intersection. New incident, and a repair will cost $5, 000 or more.
Automatic transmission failure at 84,000 miles. Lexus was purchased new and has received all dealer's recommended service at same dealership except the last few, which were performed at another lexus dealership. Dealer wants $4,700 to replace transmission with rebuilt transmission.
2000 rx 300 fwd with 95k miles crossing ca hwy1 car started making dragging noises and would not accelerate. Does not go into low gears, neutral or reverse. Occurs 100% of the time. Transmission is dead due to "engineering design flaw" according to the transmission shop rebuilding it for $4000. Thanks lexus - I'm never buying lexus or toyota again.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2000 Lexus RX300?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history