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2002 Lexus RX300 transmission problems

38 complaints (43% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 104,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
38
of this car's complaints
43%
typical mileage
104,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    18
  • Driveline: driveshaft
    1
  • Driveline: differential unit
    1
  • Automatic transmission: torque converter
    1
  • Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Lexus RX300 transmission problems in other years

19992000200120022003

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Lexus RX300 transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Transmission failure 16

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2002 Lexus RX300 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 31, 2018 · Lights, Transmission · 142,128 miles · TX

Suddenly my gears began shifting into neutral, park, reverse and into !st and 2nd gear without locking into any of them. No matter what the shifter moves freely. My car only moves forward no matter which gear it's in, including reverse. I put it into park and it still keeps moving forward. In order to park and stop, I have to use my emergency brake and turn the car off. I do not know the cause (unknown) it just suddenly happened on a toll road at the pay station. Also, my internal lights do not come on when I open any door, including the trunk lights. My radio does not change stations and knob does nothing, reception is poor & comes and goes. I cannot get any am stations.

Filed Mar 7, 2018 · Transmission · 165,000 miles · TX

I was driving to work till I heard grinding noise then I realized car does not accelerate any more then it towed away to mechanic shop and they told me it is the transmission.

Filed Jul 27, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 65,000 miles · MI

Engine knocks on acceleration, burns oil bad, hard to start, transmmision will not auto shift into high range on freeway, car lurches when getting up to freeway speed

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Transmission · WV

Takata recall, lexus transmission is messing up not shifting properly. There is a bunch of complaints about the transmission messing up and no one is doing anything about it. I am scared to drive my car because it could fail at any given time. So please I ask you to look into this problem and at least try to help thank you

Filed Feb 25, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 27 miles · TX

Driving to school die shift ....shop says auto transmission dead ...cost $3500....good maintained services.....also crazy electrical problem....must recall auto transmissions

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Transmission · 111,400 miles · CA

Transmission failure, the transmission fails to work and lags at first and second gear.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Transmission · 198,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to jerk and failed to accelerate as the vehicle stability control and traction control off warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the throttle body and e- solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 26, 2012 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · CA

Catastrophic transmission failure at 48,000 miles.

Filed Mar 9, 2012 · Transmission · 14,200 miles · PA

I'm writing to make you aware of a serious safety issue with my vehicle. It started awhile ago, I heard a whining noise & hesitation,had lexus check it out. They said & documented in my profile it was my tire treads. I got the best goodyear tires for that vehicle at the time fortera's. Noise rating I believe is 8 out of 10 (10 being quietest). I let it go & had many more oil changes since then & no mention of any fluids needing to be changed. My car has always been dealer serviced wherever I lived. Past 4yrs been @ thompson lexus,50 swamp road,doylestown, pa 18902. Vin:[xxx]. I change my oil religiously every 8wks or so (my oil is exceptionally clean like a new engine) nothing was ever said about my fluids. None of my paperwork shows recommendations of any fluids nor were there any verbal recommendations about fluid changes.they did recommend a timing belt which I did but they also stated that I should have my water pump done as well even though nothing is/was wrong with it. So, I did what they said. But things got worse. Usually when I am at a stop light/sign &/or making a left turn from a stopped position & im pulling out into intersection, the rpms tend to go up but my vehicle doesn't accelerate/respond with the pressing of the gas pedal. With this ongoing intermittent acceleration response, im scared but I need the car to get family around. I had another oil change & I told them to change transmission fluid. They advised me the whining was the transmission & lexus dealership did not recommend that the trans oil to be changed & it is a waste of my $100. I got it verbally & in writing on my service receipt. I believe the issue at hand (based on research) is the transmission & directly related to workmanship (poor design) & also the lack of knowledge, of technicians, to check fluids & recommend changing certain fluids at certain times. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 3, 2012 · Transmission · 133,077 miles · RI

While driving out of the parking space transmission started making very loud noise and then got totally stuck and vehicle could not move. It was incredibly difficult to load and especially unload the car from the flatbed truck. My mechanic evaluated the transmission and it was beyond repair and needed to be replaced. Transmission fluid was totally black. Of note, the manufacturer's sticker on the transmission specifically indicated not to change transmission fluid.

Questions about the 2002 Lexus RX300 transmission

Does the 2002 Lexus RX300 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the transmission of the 2002 Lexus RX300, 43% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2002 Lexus RX300 transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 104,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Lexus RX300 transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Lexus RX300 have bad transmission?

The Lexus RX300 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2000 (138 complaints), 1999 (129 complaints) and 2001 (123 complaints).

Other 2002 Lexus RX300 problems

Acceleration 15Engine 13Airbags 10Electrical 5Brakes 3Driver assistance 2Fuel system 2Seat belts 2Tires 2Visibility 2Wheels 2Body 1Lights 1Locks 1Seats 1

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