Tl* the contact owns a 2001 lexus rx300. While driving 65 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Lexus RX300 stalling problems
26 of the 722 owner complaints about the Lexus RX300 describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 26
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 101,230
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 8Won't shift 4Loss of power 4Fuel gauge 3Fire or smoke 3Check engine light 3Jerking 2Overheating 1
What owners say
While driving with client friends to the ritz carlton in rancho mirage for thanksgiving dinner, the car suddenly stalled. The engine was running but when the gas was stepped on there was no response. We managed to pull to the side of the road at which time we heard an explosion and the car was engulfed in flames. We all immediately jumped out of the car fearing that the gas tank would explode. We called 911 and the fire department arrived in time to extinguish the flames before the gas tank could explode. The windshield blew out...the tires exploded and the car is a total loss. The car has been towed to the police impound lot and because of the holiday we have not been able to reach lexus. It seems apparent to us that this is a gas leak issue as the under-carriage of the car was on fire. Considering that lexus has recalled 423,000 cars for a gas leak problem (ours was not on the recall list) it seems obvious that this make and model should also be recalled before someone dies in a fire. This was an extremely frightening and traumatic event and we all feel very fortunate to have survived it with no injuries....except shattered nerves.
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
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH uphill there was a burning smell and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated the transmission failed. The dealer stated there were no recalls and the repair cost would be $5000. The manufacturer advised the contact that a representative would return the call. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Vehicle started losing power while going 35-45 MPH and eventually stalled. Was able to start vehicle but won't go pass 25 MPH. When stopped, and shifted on drive, vehicle won't move forward. Won't go into reverse either when engaged in reverse. I believe this was a transmission failure.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx300. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle suddenly stalled. Before the vehicle stalled, it was shaking. The contact also noticed black smoke coming from the tailpipe when the vehicle was on. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the motor needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000 and the current mileages were approximately 40,000.
1. May18th, 2010 on my way to work the lexus rx 300, 2001, 98k stalled and the gear did not shift either in d or in r. The transmission died. 2. No sign of failure or symptom before that 3. I called a local shop specialized in transmission to tow it to the shop. The cost to rebuild the transmission is 2800$. I went to lexus dealer and ask for a replacement (lexus does not rebuild transmission). It costs 5000$ or more. I believe that the transmission is a defective design. I'd like to complain and request lexus to provide supports for this defect.
1999 lexus rx 300 vehicle 99,000 miles in very good repair suddenly stalls due to transmission failure on the freeway. No previous warning. I was very fortunate to "coast" off the highway into a safe area to stop the vehicle. It would no longer move, transmission was reported to be dead by two mechanics. After researching this model there are many reports about transmission failures some causing accidents and injuries. Neither was the case with my incident but it is a disturbing trend.
Engine stalled suddenly while driving on roads. Engine would not restart under any conditions and had to be replaced. Mechanics looking at car indicated no engine oil was found in engine despite recent oil change. Mechanics also found no points of any leakage of oil by the engine. Oil was put properly and was burning inappropriately and gelling in engine. Lexus refuse to cover repair under guise of its own inspection.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Lexus RX300 stalling
Which Lexus RX300 years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (8 complaints), 2000 (8 complaints) and 2001 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine stalls while driving on the Lexus RX300?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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