Automatic Transmission problems of the 2000 Lexus RX300 - part 1

Lexus Rx300 4-w-drive [xxx] with 109,715 miles experienced a transaxle failure. Transaxle had been flushed at 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles. Repair bill was $5233. 16 and the reman part was 3552. 23 of the total price. This premature failure is accompanied by many premature failures as revealed in the internet talk forums and appears to be a design problem. Lexus offered $750 compensation. I question the aluminum gears and revolutions allowed during shift as possible design flaws. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I have 2 Lexus RX 300. One of the Lexus which has 127000 miles suddenly it wont go in reverse and then after few tries and pumping gas it went in reverse. It is right now with Lexus dealer and they said they couldn't find anything, but are investigating. Reading thru the web lots of people have similar problem. I hope transmission problem does not happen while driving the car and wont cause serious accidents. My wife and kids ride these vehicles. I would like to find out any steps have been taken by NHTSA so far in this matter.

Transmission had to be replaced @ 125,000 miles & still does not shift correctly. . . Aamco santa cruz California will not warranty it stating the problem is not the transmission it is the computer which has to be replaced even though Toyota of SC did diagnostic and stated nothing wrong w/ computer in vehicle - aamco has had vehicle aprox 2 months.

2000 Lexus RX 300 with 82k miles has broken transmission. The car has been well maintained and driven by my wife and the trans went out last fri when she was leaving the parking lot.

Lexus RX 300: automatic transmission complaint. My 2000 Lexus RX 300 is having transmission issues. Sometimes it will not shift into overdrive. I'm a mother of three and use the car primarily to transport children and the family dog to various places--I. E. To school, sporting events, carpooling as well as running various household errands and other family related activities. I have maintained the automobile regularly, do not drive abusively, and have not wrecked the automobile. I understand that many other 1999 & 2000 Rx300 owners have experienced similar (or worse) automatic transmission problems. Please investigate the Lexus Rx300 1999 and 2000 models to determine if this is a widespread flaw and worthy of a recall. Thank you.

I purchased a 2000 Lexus RX 300 7 years ago from the original owner. Last week the transmission died with only 104,000 miles. It is disturbing to me that when I took it to the transmission repair facility they told me that the transmission was flawed in its engineering design and that no oil was able to reach the vital components and that over time they dried out and became brittle. They also said that the transmission "ate itself up". There were massive amounts of metal shavings and the transmission literally imploded. Why I think this is worthy of complaint is that we have always owned Toyota vehicles. . . Many and we take meticulous care of our cars. The transmission was serviced on a regular basis and the fluid was pristine. After researching online I found that there are hundreds of complaints about the same year vehicle and transmissions crashing even at much lower mileage. It cost us almost $3800 to have the transmission rebuilt and I would like to know if this is something that has been addressed previously by NHTSA?.

Transmission gone at 100k.

Dear sir: I am one of those Rx300 2000 Lexus owners. I have been faithfully taken my Lexus to the Lexus dealer for every oil change and problem. I recently took my 2000 Lexus with 124,000 miles to Lexus for my regular oil change. . Charging me but failure to tell me that my transmission is having problems. I paid for my service but. . . . I am out the money plus Lexus would like me to pay $4,600 for a new transmission. Omg. . . I think looking at all the problems with transmission Lexus should help defray the costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thanks.

Ignition stuck in acc position. Turned off car normally when I tried to start it I was unable to because the ignition was in the acc position instead of the off position. To correct the problem I had to tow my car home and order a new ignition tumbler, and then have it replaced.

2000 awd Lexus RX 300. . . . . I love my car , bought it used at 44,000k, 2002 and it has been good except for the transmission, now at 120,000 and everyone ,dealer and local independents want $4200-$4500, says it is the 'planetary gears' it wasn't throwing a checking engine light,nor a code just ever so often it wouldn't go in reverse. One day going down the road it just quits going. I had taken it in to a local Toyota/Lexus repair shop many times saying it was changing gears right, and dealer, and they had put the tester on it several times, replaced 02sensors , but all along said it wasn't the transmission, it was! this car has been driven but it has been taken care of as well. I feel if it is a "Lexus' a Toyota gets 300-500,000 on a transmission shouldn't a Lexus do even better?.

After owning and properly maintaining my 2000 Lexus Rx300 for many years it the transmission totally locked up on me and my 2 toddlers in the middle of rush hour traffic. It was then flat bedded to a mechanic and I am currently being quoted several thousands of dollars to have the transmission rebuilt.

I own a 2000 model Lexus RX 300 which was been having all services on time at Lexus dealer and at 89k mile my transmission has been broken. I have learned that this a common encountered problem by may RX 300 owner and seems possible related to faulty manufacturing. I have contacted Lexus for replacement, however there seems to be a need for a recall on this matter.

The contact owns a 2000 Lexus Rx300. The contact stated that the gear set in the front pump shuts down the transmission of her vehicle. The failure renders the vehicle immobile and does not lubricate the transmission properly. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who will replace the transmission. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified because the repair cost would be too expensive. The failure mileage was 120,000.

My transmission just went out on my 2000 RX 300 with 77k. I have felt it slip several times in the last two yrs as I tried to put it in reverse. Now it just left me stranded on the road, fortunately close to my home. I have not had the repair fixed yet as I am not sure if I should go to an independent shop or to the Lexus dealership.

Failed transmission under 100,000 miles. Have spoken to many others with the same vehicle, year, etc with the same problem.

Transmission would not shift, would shift when it shouldn't have, when put in gear would do nothing then unexpectedly lurch forward or backward depending on gear selection. Lexus dealer replaced transaxle assembly.

Transmission gone on my 2000 Lexus vehicle, Rx300 model. There seems to be a need for a recall as many other owners have experienced this same problem. There was never any indication of problems with transmission and car has been kept up properly.

I have a 2000 Rx300 that broke down as I was accelerating to enter the freeway coming back from a trip 2 hours north of home. Was eventually able to go about 25mph back to family's house. Aaa towed it then to a mechanic. He took the pan off and said there was a lot of metal. In researching this there are several forums with similar complaints on the Rx300. Nothing has been done at this point. We're not sure if we can spend $5000 to repair this car that we thought had such great reliability.

Was driving down the interstate with my son in the seat. The car stopped going. Almost got smashed by an 18 wheeler. Got it towed home and found out I need a new transmission!.

The transsmision on my luxus RX 300 failed with 120,000 miles. Luxus wanted to pay 25 % of the bill. ($4300). I told them tha t a luxus car should not fail with that low mileage.

I have a well kept 2000 Rx300 - transmission went completely out. It was on the interstate heading out of town for christmas. It is a one owner car. What recourse do I have. I paid $4000+ to get it replaced. Not including towing 150 miles and rental car.

Bought this 2000 RX 300 5 months ago transmission is burned out approximate cost is $5,000. 00.

Transmission has completely failed at approx 121,000 miles.

Well taken care of 2000 Lexus Rx300 has failed transmission. Could have caused accident as went out on busy road with no notice. 100k predominantly highway miles. Very well cared for, one owner vehicle. New transmission cost equals $4000 per dealer call. A transmission should not go out on a well cared for, highway driven vehicle. Would love to have shared a picture of my GMC yukon pulling my wife's Lexus to the Toyota dealership this morning. Awful reliability for what the price of this car originally cost. The Lexus was purchased for perceived reliability. I guess perception is not reality. Buyer beware on Lexus high priced garbage!.

Bad Lexus Rx300 transmission.

Bought the car used at 145,000 mi. Noticed the car was not shifting into overdrive at about 160,000 mis. Took car the Toyota dealer for repair. After $200 of diagnostics and 3 days they determined the transmission was bad. The car will sometimes go into overdrive and sometime it will not causing the engine to rev to 4000 to 5000 rpm at highway speeds. This is unacceptable performance. I have read how transmission problems on these cars can cause unsafe driving conditions and now I don't know whether I can trust the safety of drivers and passengers in this car on the highway.

Transmission on 2000 Lexus Rx300 is ruined at 110,000 miles and needs replacement, according to the Lexus dealer. The owner's manual said no transmission fluid changes are necessary, yet with the failure the dealer wrote on the receipt that the transmission fluid had not been changed in a timely manner. Clearly they are at fault.

2000 RX 300 failing transmission. Started having trouble shifting in low gears when cold, now shifts inconsistently and sputters while idling. Mechanic says we need a new transmission, but I'm afraid fixing the transmission is just treating the symptoms of a design flaw.

Loss of power, check engine light, ran extremely rough Lexus Rx300 2000.

I was driving my vehicle to work and suddenly the transmission will not move the vehicle. I tried shifting to other gear positions but the vehicle still won't move. First time that this happened on me, I don not know if it occurred before to the previous owner. Bought the 2000 Lexus RX 300 in 2004 and has 85k miles when transmission problem happened. Has to pay the dealer $4,000 to repair. Some owners of the same model vehicle has experienced the same problem.

2000 Lexus Rx300 with awd transmission had very hard shifts,and wouldn't even shift into reverse. Took it to aamco and they opened it up and told me I need complete planetary set gears,and charged me $1300 to put it back together. Still problem continued,took it to world wide transmission and they rebuilt for $3,400. Now it shifts better,but often with a kick on the downshifts between 2nd to 1st.

The transmission in the 2000 Lexus RX 300 has failed completely and requires replacement.

Premature failure of transmission on Lexus RX 300. Dealers refusal to step up to pay for an originally defective product, and request to pay $4500 for a remanufactured transmission. Lexus' refusal to address multiple complaints of a widespread issue on an obviously defective product. Lexus denial of a clearly manufacturing problem.

While driving my Rx300 the vehicle rpm started going higher than normal. I could only dry the vehicle locally since does not want to shift. When I drive it a 40mph the rpms are at 3 rpm. I search to see if has been a recall or if the Lexus corporation is aware of this problem with the tranny in this model. .

The day before thanksgiving on a 300 mile trip to see family, our Lexus RX 300 lost the transmission at 86,000 miles and ruined our entire holiday weekend. After going back and forth with corporate Lexus they have decided even though they have put our a TSB and are well aware of the transaxle failure in this model, they will not contribute any financial monies to help justify our $6,000. 00 bill. I will never own another Lexus nor anyone within my family. Very dissatisfied customer.