2001 Lexus RX300: complete transmission failure

Filed Jan 7, 2017 · Transmission · AZ

Takata recall - transmission failed. Had to replace the transmission at 140,423 miles. There was metal in the transmission. Cost to replace the transmission was $2,875.10

Filed Jul 4, 2016 · Transmission · 133,890 miles · CT

Vehicle has 133,890 miles on it, vehicle has been serviced every 5000 miles, according to the vehicle history and owners manual. We had transmission failure 100 miles from home. Pulled over to the side of the I-90 , had to wait 2 hours for a flatbed on the side of the highway. Mass state police were not happy having to wait that long nor safety of being on the side of the road for 2 hours. We tried moving vehicle after it was off for an hour, moved gear selector had only park and natural , was at " full hot " mark on the dip stick, fluid is clean, doesn't smell burnt at all.towed to service department and needs a new transmission. Vehicle was on the highway at 70mph , and then had no forward movement at 70mph. Google " rx300 transmission problems" and you'll find thousands of links to people having same issue. Toyota/lexus should be stepping up and fixing these transmissions , this is obviously a weak point in their vehicles and a major safety issue.

Filed Sep 4, 2015 · Transmission · 168,000 miles · CA

Transmission failure: started to make noise couple of days ago and finally failed while on the road. Engine is running good, but no gear engagement. All drive train position seems like the car is in natural. Excessive transmission failures was reported by other rx300 owners. Cost to service re-build transmission is $3,551.00

Filed Jun 23, 2015 · Transmission · 162,100 miles · MD

Vehicle has been well maintained with regular oil changes and transmission flush. However, on 06/22/2015, under normal driving conditions in my 7 miles commute, the vehicle failed to accelerate after coming to a stop. The RPM/engine revved up, but vehicle did not move much (could not shift gears). Pulled to the sideway and called for help. Took it to local mechanic, and diagnosed with code p0770 (solenoid shifter e failure). Mechanic says new transmission is needed ($5k plus). Checking online, this seems to be a very common occurrence for this vehicle and probably model year. Toyota has to be aware of this major defect, and has probably intentionally said silent. I wish toyota could be taken to task on this problem as it is wrecking family finances!

Filed Jan 5, 2015 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 lexus rx300. While driving 40 MPH, the transmission seized and the gear could not be shifted into park. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000. Updated 3/13/15*cn the vehicle was taken to a repair shop, where the transmission was replaced. Updated 01/25/16.

Filed Jan 4, 2015 · Transmission · 131,345 miles · FL

Transmission went out ,the vehicle jus stopped in the middle of the road thank god it was not the highway. There seems to be a problem with the transmission in these vehicle ,a very serious life threatening problem.

Filed Oct 1, 2014 · Transmission · 105,795 miles · NJ

Left home to go to grocery store. As I entered a major road near my home the car lost power almost causing an accident. I was able to limp home. The repair shop diagnosed a faulty transmission and commented that they see many rx300's with transmission problems. The transmission was rebuilt at a cost of $3214.00. This car has been well taken care of, including recommended transmission fluid replacement. I feel that the transmission failure was very premature. Judging by the number of similar reports at or around the same mileage, I feel that the transmission was not engineered properly and lexus did nothing to correct the problem.

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · NC

Transmission failure at 145000 (approx) after performing all schedule maintenance at the dealer since purchase. I have read countless entries where the 1999-2002 lexus rx300 has had premature transmission failures. This is a costly repair and a I feel lexus should have recalled the vehicle and provided assistance.

Filed Feb 25, 2014 · Transmission · 222,000 miles · VA

My wife was taking our kids, 7 and 9, to go shopping and as she drove down the hill from our apartment complex, with no warning, the wheels just suddenly locked up and the car would not go forward or reverse. She was literally stuck on a one lane hill, due to a massive snowstorm that left the sides, of the street covered with piles of snow from the snowplow, with other vehicles behind her who could not go anywhere. Some guys from the apartment complex got out and helped her and managed to get it to a parking lot at the bottom of the hill. We had the car towed to a local garage, but being a sunday night, we could not find out anything until morning. I went online and started researching what might have caused this and discovered numerous others with similar problems, all of whom reported the transmission failed with no prior warning. A lot of the people said they reported it to lexus and it should have been recalled, but lexus refused to do anything about it and did not issue a recall. This is the web address that I discovered while researching it, http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/9657/lexus/rx-330/lexus-rx-transmission-problems/p35. We purchased the vehicle from my brother who bought it with less than 10,000 miles on it and was very meticulous about having all of the maintenance done at the dealer recommended intervals. The car was garage kept and well maintained. In fact when I drove it to work and showed people, most of them said it looks like it just came off a showroom floor. My brother had the transmission fluid changed 3 times and told us it was due again when he sold it to us, and we had it done right away. When I contacted lexus about this they refused to do anything for us. My concern is with another transmission, where and when will it happen again? On a highway at 65 MPH? They could be killed.

Filed Sep 24, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 103,680 miles · CA

While entering a freeway onramp the transmission slipped out of gear. I tried to accelerate but there was no power the engine just revved. The transmission reingaged as I was pulling to the shoulder so I continued my trip home. Later on the same drive home, at an interchange between freeways it happened again but this time the transmission didn't re-engage and there was almost a deadly multiple car accident. It was towed to a transmission specialist who had to replace the transmission. Soon after replacement I was on another trip and I attempted to accelerate to pass a car, the transmission slipped and I barely avoided being in a deadly auto accident on the freeway with a big rig. On this same trip I almost lost my life three times due to this identical occurrence. It is absolutely unacceptable and unforgivable that toyota hasn't taken responsibility for this manufacturing error and announced a complete recall and replacement of all transmissions for this year, make and model of vehicle. If, I keep this car and I have an accident due to their manufacturing negligence action may be taken.

Filed Jul 21, 2012 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · CA

Driving on the freeway. Transmission disengages and fails to drive car. Automatic transmission failure. Serviced transmission at 63,200 miles. Many others have reported problems with this model year.

Filed Dec 30, 2011 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · NJ

The transmission of my 2001 lexus rx300 with only 83,000 miles, just failed. This car was fully and timely serviced by lexus and is otherwise in pristine driving condition. We noticed the problem months ago when we experienced engine hesitation and transmission related symptoms, but our lexus dealer checked the car and assured us it was fine. My wife and son continued to drive the car and were exposed to dangerous driving situations due to engine hesitation and failure to accelerate. Despite transmission related symptoms and full knowledge of widespread transmission failures the lexus dealer did not raise any warnings with us and assured us the car was fine and safe to drive. When lexus finally acknowledged it was the transmission all along, I was shocked to learn how widespread, pervasive and well documented this problem is and how unsafe this car is to drive given the dangerous effects of transmission failure while driving. As an attorney I will not let this rest and want to know why the federal safety agency is not taking action on this, and why lexus is not recalling this vehicle.