Lexus RX300 hesitation problems

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 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.

Filed Feb 15, 2011 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Aug 18, 2010 · Transmission · 108,200 miles · OH

The transmission in my 2001 lexus rx300 failed with a little over 108k miles. No warning lights came on. I had trouble getting it in reverse 2 days before - thought it was a fluke. Then I had trouble starting it for 2 days. On 8/16 it started fine, so I drove it to the dealer. Twice on the way there, it jerked & hesitated when accelerating from a stop - I almost got rear ended. I am the 2nd owner - I bought it in 2003 with 41,462 miles on it. It was lexus certified pre-owned. The car fax report noted the original owner registered it as private/personal use & no issues were noted. I have had all service done by the dealer, except the last oil change. I've only driven about 9k miles per year, drive it responsibly & have never towed with it. Very frightening that I had few symptoms, and no warning light to alert me there was a problem. Lexus dealer wants $4,300 to replace it with a lexus remanufactured transmission. I have not decided what to do. I'm seeing lots of information online about how bad these transmissions are, and they often need replaced multiple times. Scares me to know I could replace it, have it fail & perhaps be in an accident. I am a realtor & frightening that I could have been in an accident with clients in my vehicle. My expectations of lexus quality & safety have not been met.

Filed Sep 30, 2008 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. While driving less than 75 MPH, the vehicle dropped to low gear and would not accelerate past 25 MPH. The dealer stated that the transmission failed. The repairs were made at the contact's expense. Less than four years later, while traveling after an extended drive, he attempted to accelerate from a stop sign. The vehicle hesitated and would not shift into gear. The vehicle continued to slip into first gear intermittently. An independent mechanic serviced the vehicle and stated that the transmission either needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 240,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2008 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 lexus rx300. While driving uphill at 70 MPH, the contact's vehicle lost power when she swerved to avoid another vehicle. She depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to move; however, the engine revved. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. She feels that this is a serious safety issue because she and her family could have been involved in a serious crash. The current and failure mileages were 85,000. Updated 08/15/08. *lj the consumer stated the transmission began to slip and hesitate when she would attempt to accelerate. At one point, the consumer put the gear in park with the engine running and the vehicle suddenly lurched forward. The dealership replaced the transmission, however it was the same transmission that was removed from the vehicle. Updated 08/15/08

Filed Jul 2, 2008 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · IL

Own a 1999 lexus rx 300. Engine transmission has been sluggish since I purchased the car in 2001. Since we have owned the car we complained the dealer that when you start to run the car in the morning it will take a few minutes before the car will shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. The dealer kept telling us that was normal for the model car. The transmission got continually more sluggish over the years meaning that there was hesitation or jerky ness when you would pull your foot off of the gas. Last week I started to hear a grinding noise when the car was shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. I just got back from the repair shop where I was told that the transmission which just turned 130,000 miles was shot and that the only fix was to purchase a rebuilt one from lexus at a cost of $4,500 to $5,000. They told me they were aware that this was a common problem with 1999 - 2001 rx 300 transmissions but that there was never a recall or service bulletin issued. If this is a common problem then I think someone should do something about it.

Filed Aug 15, 2007 · Transmission · 94,500 miles · TX

Car has 94,000 miles and has received all scheduled maintenance, including comprehensive 90k service two months ago. No impending problems were reported by dealer. Car made clinging/hesitation when leaving stop sign 2-3 times. Parked car and stopped engine. Car would not move in reverse. Shifted to drive - car moved fwd as much as possible (limited space). Tried rev again - car moved 12-18 inches and made very abrupt stop. Could not shift to neutral. Took car to dealer who recommend complete transmission replacement. Did search for "rx300 transmission failure on internet - found dozens of reports of similar problem - complete transmission failure, with absolutely no warning, on this make/model of car with similar mileage. I believe this is a manufacturing defect that should be investigated.

Filed Feb 26, 2007 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx 300. While shifting in reverse or second gear the vehicle hesitated. The local mechanic on 02/11/07 stated that the transmission and the planetary assembly needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileage was 87,000. *ak update 4/9

Filed Feb 7, 2005 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · CA

At 68k miles, I took to independent garage in january & march 2004 with problem of vehicle hesitating to shift from 2nd to 3rd. Garage could not duplicate problem and changed transmission fluid. I let vehicle warm up 2 minutes to avoid the shifting problem. In september & october with 72k miles, I took to dealer with additional problem of failing to engage the reverse gear and shuddering in forward gear. Dealer could not duplicate and changed the transmission fluid. In november 2004, the transmission dropped completely out of gear while driving on the street. This time dealer found metal shavings in the transmission fluid and said I needed $4250 to replace with a remanufactured transmission warranted for only 12 months. Lexus should have paid to replace their defective transmission instead of hiding their head in the sand.