Lexus RX300 transmission failure problems

Filed Oct 6, 2018 · Transmission · 240,000 miles · CA

Transmission failed due to bad design. Many others have same failures. Need recall.

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

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

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 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.