2000 Lexus RX300: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Jan 14, 2016 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · MI

My transmission failed 5 yrs ago was not told why. They replaced it but I had to pay for labor. They put in new parts except for remanufactured casing. Now december 2015 with only 24,000 miles on it since I am retired, failed to go in reverse or go into second gear. Have noticed online alot of people are having problems with transmissions of lexus vehicles. Now I am told by lexus speacialist (800‑255‑3987) they only want to pay for half of parts and was told it just failed we don't know why and they refuse to investigate again unless I want to pay for labor. It seems from online complaints that they are making owners pay for diagnostics and or replacements & labor. I have never felt more unsafe in a car when my vehicle wouldn't shift into gear while driving on a road with 55mph speed limit while I could only drive 10 miles an hour. I had to pay $128 to have it towed to dealership on 01/04/2016 because they would not accept any diagnostics from any one else nor pay for tow. I was delayed in efforts because of holiday. Please make them accountable.

Filed Dec 27, 2015 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Apr 30, 2012 · Transmission · 138,000 miles · GA

Transmission will not shift into the last gear.

Filed Jun 1, 2011 · Engine · 115,346 miles · CA

Vehicle started losing power while going 35-45 MPH and eventually stalled. Was able to start vehicle but won't go pass 25 MPH. When stopped, and shifted on drive, vehicle won't move forward. Won't go into reverse either when engaged in reverse. I believe this was a transmission failure.

Filed Feb 2, 2011 · Transmission · 159,015 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jan 30, 2011 · Acceleration · 113,457 miles · TX

I went into my garage and got in my car (lexus rx300,2000). It started normally, but it would not shift until I pressed the override button and put it into reverse. As soon as the shifter hit (r) the throttle seemed to go wide open and the car bolted out of the garage. Luckily, since my foot was on the brake almost instantly I was able to stop the car before it got out of control. The car traveled about 30 ft before I could stop it. I think I put it into park and just sat there and tried to calm down. I was terrified because of the horrible consequences of blasting out into the street etc. After, calming down I was able to continue on with a great deal of trepidation. As I drove I was constantly trying to plan what to do if it happened again. This was extremely dangerous, if the car had gone into drive it would have blasted into the garage wall, or worse. Addendum: [xxx], I inspected the car after the incident and could nothing wrong. However, I am a controls system engineer and it certainly sounded like a classic bounding/ boundary problem in the control software. By this I mean that the inputs to the control loop exceed the allowed values. Or due to some unusual set of inputs there is an overflow problem , where the loop does a calculation that causes the value to crossover from all ones to all zeros, this overflow issue can have very unexpected results, like railing the controlled parameter. It turns out that this model lexus engine seems to have a mechanical throttle linkage, so the only software controlled throttle commands have to come from the cruise control box, since it also has an independent cable linkage to the throttle plate. I disconnected the cruise control cable to be certain this could not recur. This implies that any toyota with cruise control is at risk, but it should allow a quick safety fix, just disconnect the cruise cable. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 25, 2010 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · AL

Lexus rx 300: automatic transmission complaint. My 2000 lexus rx 300 is having transmission issues. Sometimes it will not shift into overdrive. I'm a mother of three and use the car primarily to transport children and the family dog to various places--I.e. To school, sporting events, carpooling as well as running various household errands and other family related activities. I have maintained the automobile regularly, do not drive abusively, and have not wrecked the automobile. I understand that many other 1999 & 2000 rx300 owners have experienced similar (or worse) automatic transmission problems. Please investigate the lexus rx300 1999 and 2000 models to determine if this is a widespread flaw and worthy of a recall. Thank you.

Filed Apr 8, 2009 · Transmission · 95,243 miles · OH

Transmission would not shift, would shift when it shouldn't have, when put in gear would do nothing then unexpectedly lurch forward or backward depending on gear selection. Lexus dealer replaced transaxle assembly.

Filed Apr 10, 2008 · Transmission · 66,610 miles · OR

Rx300 failed to go into reverse from park in october 2007. Took to toyota dealer insofar as no local lexus dealer in bend, oregon. Flushed the transmission fluid. Problem returned 4 months later at 2,000 miles into the new atf, with occasional failure in drive gear. 4/9/08 vehicle was moving in drive from home garage when transmission went bump/thump twice. 50 yards further forward, the transmission began a grinding noise. Pulled to side of road and vehicle would not go into reverse, but drive forward was okay. Returned to vehicle in 2 hrs and restarted the engine. No reverse gear when shifter was in reverse. Neutral would allow freewheel. Tried to turn 180 and return to home garage. Vehicle was now perpendicular to both lanes of traffic. Tried to engage neutral to freewheel in reverse. Vehicle seemed to be in gear or park when in neutral on the shifter. Drove forward one foot and tried neutral, got a sound like something coming unstuck and becoming synchronized. Neutral now allowed freewheel. Reverse gear now worked and I drove the vehicle the 50 yards home and backed it using reverse gear into the garage. 68,745 total miles on 2000 rx300.lexus says vehicle out of the 6 year/70,000 drive train warranty. Lexus says transmission has failed.