Transmission Failure problems of the 2000 Lexus RX300 - part 1

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

At approximately 150,000 my Lexus RX 300 seized after pulling into a parking lot. I tried to restart the car and it would not move/turnover. Obviously, had to have it towed and the entire transmission needed to be replaced. I purchased a rebuilt transmission to the tune of about $4,000. There are numerous reports of this model of Lexus repeatedly having the transmission fail. I'm wondering why the NHTSA does not issue a recall at this point - at least investigate this issue. , so those who own these vehicles can recoup some of the cost for the failures of this transmission.

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.

Premature transmission failure. Purchased used with 85,000 miles. Transmission fluid changed at suggested intervals. Car will not move in any transmission selector position. After research, found that this is a common problem with this year and model Lexus.

Full transmission failure without any advance symptoms at 103,500 miles. Vehicle regularily serviced, including 90k complete service at dealer.

This letter is a follow up to a claim I made regarding my 2000 Lexus Rx300 and its impending transmission issues. I had requested from Lexus some good faith compensation for the replacement of my transmission due to the extenuating nature of the issues surround transmission in Rx300 in the model year 1999, 2000 and 2001. Soon after I purchased the car I found interesting posting at edumnds. Com on the more than average failure of the transmissions. At that time I purchased an extended warranty, since I figured that it was not if the transmission failed but when. True to form and right on schedule the transmission failed at 98,000 miles. I was denied any compensation on my issue and was told that Lexus had no knowledge of the problem. Background. Over 109 complaints have been filed with the national highway safety administration for 1999 Rx300s, 108 for model year 2000 (mine) and over 100 for 2001. Over 56 pages on edumnds. Com contain complaints on this issue. Yet I was told by the customer service representative at Lexus of America that he in fact knew of no issues regarding transmissions in these vehicles. Either he was very naã've or not being complete forthright with me if a simple google search produced my results. He claimed that proper servicing of the system would have avoided the issue – which is also dispelled by other owners. I understand and accept that fact that used vehicles require a certain amount of upkeep and replacement and I accept that premise and plan for those costs. However, I do not believe that I should have to finance a repair that is truly a design flaw in the vehicle and not through any consequence of my simple ownership. I would expect more major repairs on a vehicle of a lesser quality, but not for vehicle that costs $45,000 and boasts “the pursuit of perfection. €� I see this as an integrity issue and that is what’s appalling from a company that I have supported since 1989 when I bought my first camry that I sold 12 years later.

2000 Lexus Rx300 with 96,600k miles. Transmission failed and locked car up in busy intersection. New incident, and a repair will cost $5, 000 or more.

Automatic transmission failure at 84,000 miles. Lexus was purchased new and has received all dealer's recommended service at same dealership except the last few, which were performed at another Lexus dealership. Dealer wants $4,700 to replace transmission with rebuilt transmission.

Transmission failure.

While driving on highway, lost all forward motion. Sudden, unexpected transmission failure resulting in car becomming road hazard. Replaced transmission. Yet another of the hundreds of sudden transmission failures of the Lexus Rx300.

2000 RX 300 transmission failure at 120k mile.

9/2009 - engine failed. Vehicle initially performed normally, but engine seized during interstate driving. Professional inspection determined cause of failure was sludge build up. Vehicle out of initial warranty. Extension based upon consumer complaints expired 4/2009. New engine installed at my expense. 12/2009 - transmission failed. Vehicle initially performed normally, but suddenly began to lurch when placed into gear after gasoline fill up. Professional inspection determined transmission failure. New transmission installed at my expense.

My 2000 Lexus Rx300 transmission failed and the Lexus dealer cost $4,500 fix it. My car was there couple month ago for regular maintenance, they said every thing ok, it had the oil change last week. They said this is the transmission part problem even it had the transmission oil change regularly.

Lexus 2000 Rx300 transmission failure.

Bought my 2002 Lexus Rx300 brand new with regular maintenance done on scheduled. After a few weeks of slow/slippage shifting the transmission failed and had it service/rebuilt by my local mechanic. I found out on an internet Lexus club forum that the transmission is a common problem on the early generation Lexus Rx300 (year 1999-2001) and I am unfortunately over the power train warranty so I took it to my local mechanic to be serviced. I paid $3800+ to have to repaired - what recourse do I have for buying a supposed to be reliable car? thankfully it was not on a highway when the transmission failed but rather on the off ramp of the highway.

Transmission failure in Lexus Rx300.

Transmission completely failed at 101,000. Complete maintenance records available.

The transmission failed in my 2000 Lexus rs-300.

I have a 2000 Lexus Rx300 with 124,000 miles on it. The transmission has failed in the car after normal driving conditions. The maintenance manual does not indicate to change the transmission oil in the car, only to check it. I have been on numerous Lexus internet sites which have stated the same problem has occurred to them with the same model and year Lexus.

My 2000 Lexus Rx300 transmission failed on the highway. The car has only 93,000 miles the transmission had to be replaced yesterday. This is the 2nd transmission replacement on this vehicle. The first transmission failed at approx. 55,000 miles and was replaced under the warranty. This transmission replacement I paid $1,700 for the labor and dealer gave me the part.

The transmission failed on my 2000 Lexus RX 300 after less than 9 years and 106,000 miles. Looking online I see that this is a serious problem with this make and model year. Lexus is replacing the transmission at a cost of $4000.

Luxury 2000 Lexus Rx300 transmission failed at 100k miles, cost $4k-$5k for the repairs.

2000 Lexus Rx300 transmission failed at 104,000 miles. Cost to replace, including labor is $3,976. 00.

2008 transmission failed at 100,600, replaced and again failed in 2011 at 131,000, failed at 134,000, now being told the ecm computer is causing the hard shifting at 2nd to 3rd upshift. Was told the same tranny is in the recalled rav4.

Transmission failure Lexus Rx300 2000 with only 73k miles on car. All scheduled maintenance completed by dealer up to this point. Rebuilt transmission currently being installed at a cost of 3,800 to 4,000 dollars by valley transmission. Planetary gears completely broken in transmission. There are hundreds of these complaints on Lexusclub forum, and I would like to add my name to the list.

Lexus 2000 Rx300 oil gel problem that is requiring a rebuilt engine and at the same time my transmission is failing and I am being told it will cost $5,000. This vehicle has 106,000 miles but two catastrophic failures.

There were no incidents that lead up to the transmission failure it just happened out of the blue. I was driving home from work one day and it would not go in to over drive.

Transmission failure at 148k, transmission jumped from gears and failed to move. No warning signs. I have kept up with maintenance on this vehicle and still owe and have been reading about this particular model and it appear as though there is a class action suit in process.

Lexus Rx300 transmission failure at 68,000 miles and 7. 5 years old.

Transmission failure in 2000 Lexus RX-300 awd with 110,000 miles. While driving to work on a very busy 3-lane highway, I stopped to make a left hand turn with a number of cars behind me. After coming to a stop at the intersection, waiting for cars to clear, when I tried to accelerate through, the car went into neutral although it was still in drive. I tried reverse (risking hitting the car behind me) and it stayed in neutral. After turning the car on and off a couple of times, it finally went into drive and I was able to drive two blocks to the Toyota dealer. Their service shop checked it out and simply said the transmission needed to replaced at a cost of $5200. The Lexus "owner's manual supplement" with maintenance schedules says only to "inspect" transmission fluid at 30k, 60k, 90k, 120k, and 150k miles. See pages 77 - 97 of the maintenance log book. Only for "special operating conditions" is it recommended to change the transmission fluid and then only at 60k and 120k miles. I have not operated the vehicle under any of the special operating conditions. Yet, both the Lexus and Toyota dealers I use recommend replacing the oil every 15k miles, which I have done. Based on my limited research, this appears to be a common problem with early model Lexus Rx300's and unacceptable that it should fail, especially given the added service / maintenance that Lexus recommends, which is at odds with what is written in their own manual. Had this transmission failure happened while driving in 50 -60 mph rush hour traffic , it would have put me in a potentially deadly situation. I strongly suspect Lexus is well aware of the problems with this transmission, given their dealer service recommendations and should be held accountable for the cost of repair.

Transmission failure.

Well taken care of Lexus RX 300 transmission failure twice. Used transmission installed in 2004 after first failure. Special attention was given such as never shifting gears quickly when backing up and to put into drive. Transmission will be replaced. . . Again. The used transmission helps to prove transmission failure is inevitable.

My 2000 Lexus RX 300 started shifting funny on December 4th. We took it to the mechanic on December 5th and it was determined that the transmission was failing. I have since learned that this is a very, very common problem for these vehicles and am now out thousands of dollars due to this problem.

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.

Transmission failure.