36 problems related to transmission failure have been reported for the 1999 Lexus RX300. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
On April 25, 2012, my wife and I were driving to my brother?s home, a distance of 50 miles. About two miles from our destination, we stopped at an intersection. When the light turned green, I accelerated and the car went forward about ten feet and lurched to a stop in the middle of the intersection. We were thrown forward, and the driver behind us had to jam his brakes. We were able to leave the intersection only by putting the car in low gear and slowly moving through the traffic to the far right lane and into a bank parking lot. We had the car towed to a nearby mechanic. The following day I received a call from the mechanic who quoted $3,766 for transmission replacement. I authorized the work to be done. On April 27, I told a friend who was visiting our area from canada of the incident. That day, he spoke with an acquaintance who is a service representative for a canadian Lexus dealer. He said that failure at around 100,000 miles is a well known problem with the 1999 Lexus Rx300 and that Lexus had been working with customers on this issue . I went to the internet to see what I could learn. There was no recall, but there were sites referencing the pervasiveness of transmission failure in the Rx300. From what we have learned , we believe that transmission failure on the 1999 Lexus Rx300 occurs frequently at around 100,000 miles and is caused by a design flaw in that model year. That being the case, it seems to us that Lexus ought to have taken preemptive action so that owners such as my wife and I would not have to suffer a near collision, not to mention unnecessary costs and inconvenience. Lexus offered a token service credit but was unwilling to admit to any inherent problem in the Rx300 transmissions and offered no comment regarding our suggestion that the owners should be forewarned of the possibility of transmission failure at around 100,000 miles.
My transmission went out on this car on the freeway leaving me in a very dangerous situation with my 8 month old child. This transmission was just rebuilt a year ago. You are probably aware that this issue is beyond prevalent. Stories and complaints about early transmission failure are all over the internet. You are probably already aware. So is Lexus and they refuse to do anything about it. Will someone have to get killed before you demand a recall? me and my baby could have very easily have been killed yesterday.
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.
138,000 used vehicle. Upon purchase did timming belt, water pump and all belts. Then had a transmission flush. Went on a 500 mile round trip and upon returning lost overdrive. Made it home then next day a severe lose of power and trans would not shift. After restarting would shift but no overdrive. After investigating found hundreds of similiar incidents when you query Lexus transmission failure. I can understand losing a transmission but reading all these complainants it is clear that this product is defective.
Transmission failure at 145k no warning 4k to repair.
Transmission failure at 110k miles; required transmission replacement.
Transmission failure.
Wife driving 1999 Rx300 Lexus w/ awd and it just stopped and unable to engage reverse due to transmission failure. It was towed home and after some inquiries just parked until enough money can be raised to attempt repair (very costly).
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.
We owned a 1999 Lexus RX 300 SUV. We recently encountered a complete transmission failure on 11/26/2009 (thanksgiving day) at ~134000 miles while driving to attend a thanksgiving dinner. The car was well-maintained and well-kept since the purchase. The entire maintenance history can be verified & confirmed by Lexus of portland in oregon. We were very surprised that the transmission went out so soon for a Lexus. This is very disappointing. Not only the situation was dangerous and unsafe for my wife & I (we were on a highway) but we later found out that Lexus is charging us $4400 to replace a rebuilt transmission. As I investigate further, sounds like Lexus/Toyota is well-aware of the problem and not offering any compensation to help with the heavy burden replacement cost. We would like to file this complaint as a way to get higher authority to help the affected Lexus owner. Hopefully you can review & investigate into the matter with Lexus/Toyota for us.
Transmission on my 1999 Lexus Rx300 started slipping. We took it into a Lexus dealer and were told to not do anything until the transmission failed, then bring it in. I asked if we should have it serviced or some maintenance to prevent a failure and they advised that it was not worth it. It failed, then the dealer wants $4,200 to fix it. Research shows that this year and model Lexus has transmission problems nationwide and suggests it is a widespread problem. This is a safety issue as well as general mechanical failure.
This is my second transmission failure in this vehicle. If you read any Lexus owner's blog, you will realize that the early Rx300 models have a seriously high fail rate for transmissions. Most fail around 80k miles. Mine has averaged 70k miles per transmission. Lexus really need to own up to their design flaw.
Transmission failure in a Lexus Rx300.
1999 Lexus RX-300. I have 94,000 miles on it, original owner. Have gotten every scheduled maintenance service on it including 30,000 , 60,000 and 90,000 miles service in October 2008. Now March 2009 and have complete transmission failure at 94,000 miles when I had 92,000 miles on my car for its service in October 2008. Saw all the talk on the internet about thousands of people in same situation and Lexus customer service says they have no idea what I am referring to!.
Lexus Rx300 1999 model complete transmission failure at just over 100k miles. Based on internet comments this is a real problem that should be a recall. Cost to replace is from $3500-4500. On an expensive car like this, it is crazy.
I am the owner a 1999 Lexus RX 300 that had a transmission failure. Depending on who I talk to it will cost anywhere from $4000 to $6500 to repair the vehicle. I found out since this failure that this is a common problem with this vehicle. My source for this information has been the internet, transmission repair shops and the dealership employees themselves. This a well known problem that has been known for a while. Lexus should do the right thing and recall these vehicles to correct this problem. I should not have to pay for a transmission that has a design flaw. Thank you.
Lexus Rx300 transmission failure at 100,000 miles.
Even though having all major service performed to the Lexus owners manual specs, the transmission failed at 110k miles, left my wife stranded in a remote location, and nearly caused an accident. It needs replacing at a cost of $4000. I am aware of hundreds of others who have had similar problems with the Rx300.
Transmission failure 1999 Lexus RX 300.
The transmission completely failed. Could not drive the vehicle. Occurred on the freeway at 60 mph.
I have a 1999 Lexus Rx300. . . Transmission failed at 150k miles no warning just stranded me while out running errands. The cost to fix this was 3k and no car door over a week. This car also had an engine that Lexus replaced due to oil sludging. Really wanted to kept he car until 200k but now the check engine light is on.
I own two 1999 Lexus Rx300's. One with 100,000 miles and one with 76,000 miles. Within the last two months, the transmission has failed in both cars.
On 12-31-2007 my husband and I were coming home from a restaurant. We live in the country,so there are no street lights and it was late at night. We were driving home and all of a sudden our Lexus stopped accelerating was no place to pull off the road,needless to say the vehicle would not pull in drive or reverse. Si we had to sit there in the road. After a period of time the Lexus would pull again not far and then it would quit pulling. I believe this is a safety hazard and something has to be done about it. Since January 2008 I have read so many complaints on the internet people having the same problem. I filed a report with NHTSA and as far as I know there has not been an investigation you don't think transmission failure is a hazard please let me know. I don't have the money to have the transmission fixed,my Lexus will pull a short distant so if know one thinks this is important enough to do an investigation or no one sees the hazard that could happen. Then I am left with no choice but to start driving my 1999 Lexus RX 300. I have been waiting since January 2008 and nothing has been done nor have I heard back from anyone. And as far as the dealership all I get is the run around. And to tell you the truth I am tired of it. Someone please give us consumers an answer we deserve that much. To this day I have no vehicle to drive. Do I see a hazard yes. Someone please hear our cries. We need your help.
My 1999 Rx300 Lexus lost it's transmission at 110,000 miles. I paid to have the transmission replaced. The new transmission now failed again. The sun gear, ring gear and 4 planet gears on that one stage have extensive tooth fracture. Failures of this type can generally be attributed to one or more of the following causes: 1. Poor design analysis resulting in improper gear selection resulting in tooth overload and tooth fracture. 2. Improper alignment at assembly resulting in non-equal load distribution leading to fatigue fracture of the teeth. 3. Foreign material, getting into the planetary gearing from either contamination at assembly or breakdown of other components within the transmission.
The transmission failed in my 1999 Lexus Rx300 with no warning at only 97,000 miles.
I was driving on the highway when the transmission failed suddenly leaving me stranded.
The Lexus Rx300 had 123000 miles on it. The transmission failed in the middle of the road when traffic was at its peak. I have learnt after the fact that the Rx300 transmission prone to failure and Lexus had not posted any information regarding this.
Transmission failure at 169k with no warning, car has been fully serviced according to Lexus guidelines. Dealer wants $5k to replace the transmission.
No events leading to transmission failure needs replacing.
Our 1999 Rx300 has only 70,000 miles and the transmission failed while my wife was driving on a very busy street. The failure was very dangerous because she was in the midst of traffic when she could not maneuver her car safely to the curb. She was able after sitting in traffic for awhile to restart the car and move the car over to the curb. She called for a tow truck which towed the car to our mechanic's shop. The cost for a rebuilt transmission will cost us $5000. After search the internet, we have found that many many !999 Rx300 owners have had the same problem and with many dangerous situations of being without power to move safely off freeways and highways. T there ought to be a manufacturer's recall on this car and a charge to Toyota America to develop a fix for the problem before someone is killed because of this problem with the transmission. Has there been any media investigations into this? Lexus being the flagship for Toyota, you would think that Toyota would take care of this problem without having their arms twisted.
My 1999 Lexus RX 300 transmission failed caused by a faulty design in the front planetary assembly. I have followed up online and there are 1000's of postings of the exact same thing happening to this model. The cost is $5000 to repair. With such a high failure rate (based upon the information I have gathered) I am confused as to why a recall has not been issued.
Even though having all major service performed by the Lexus dealer, plus having the transmission fluid and filter changed twice, the transmission failed and needs replacing at a high cost. I am aware of hundreds of others who have had similar problems with the Rx300.
My 99 Lexus Rx300 had a transmission failure @ 82000 miles. After being serviced properly on a regular basis by authorized repair specialists.
My 1999 Lexus RX 300 transmission failed while I was traveling at 70 mph down the highway. The dealer agrees my service record was in "tiptop" shape and yet I lost all gears with 66,000 miles on the car. Searching the internet reveals that there are many instances of this same problem. Of course, my warranty just expired 4 months ago. Lexus offered to split the $5000 replacement cost in half. It seems to me they should cover 100% of the cost.
The contact owns a 1999 Lexus Rx300. At approximately 55 mph with clear road conditions, the transmission unexpectedly shifted gears. The vehicle began to jerk followed by a loss in power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The failure was diagnosed as internal transmission failure and has not been repaired. The current and failure vehicle mileage were 103000.