Four problems related to transmission slip out of gear have been reported for the 2001 Lexus RX300. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While entering a freeway onramp the transmission slipped out of gear. I tried to accelerate but there was no power the engine just revved. The transmission reingaged as I was pulling to the shoulder so I continued my trip home. Later on the same drive home, at an interchange between freeways it happened again but this time the transmission didn't re-engage and there was almost a deadly multiple car accident. It was towed to a transmission specialist who had to replace the transmission. Soon after replacement I was on another trip and I attempted to accelerate to pass a car, the transmission slipped and I barely avoided being in a deadly auto accident on the freeway with a big rig. On this same trip I almost lost my life three times due to this identical occurrence. It is absolutely unacceptable and unforgivable that Toyota hasn't taken responsibility for this manufacturing error and announced a complete recall and replacement of all transmissions for this year, make and model of vehicle. If, I keep this car and I have an accident due to their manufacturing negligence action may be taken.
2001 Lexus Rx300 shifted out of drive into neutral while going down the freeway at 60mph (redlining the engine) and almost causing an accident from behind. Apparently this car has a known defect with the transmission. The vehicle shifted into reverse while in the drive position shortly thereafter. The transmission is now having to be rebuilt for $3000 that we dont have. The car shifting into reverse while in the drive location scared the heck out of us. Thank god no one was behind us!!!.
Rx300 car either won't go into gear or jumps out of gear. It has occurred several times and many many reports on owner sites transmission failure. The latest incident left myself and my 4 year old son stranded in a parking lot in low teens weather. It also jumped out of gear once while driving. I'm afraid to drive the car.
First, the car would not shift into reverse. Then, after attempting several times, the car violently jerked me into reverse and I almost crashed. After backing up, I shifted into drive, but locked up on me again. After revving the accelerator and trying different gears, finally jerked me and children forward into drive. Initially, Lexus "supposedly" fixed the problem by replacing O2 sensor, but problem recurred in June again. Since the problem could not be duplicated at Lexus shop, they gave me my car without any repair. Then, a more serious occurrence happened in mid July when the gear got stuck while driving. I was driving about 30 mph when gear got stuck, shifted to neutral, then violently jerked me and kids forward and into drive again. Children and I were very frightened. This is a safety issue because not only are you dropped out of gear into neutral while car is in motion, but then you are suddenly jerked forward into drive. To make it worse, its frequency is erratic so you just hope this doesn't happen on the freeway. According to many online blogs (especially edmunds. Com), it is a common problem that 1999-2001 Lexus has but will not acknowledge. Mostly happens at about 65,000 miles. Don't understand why there hasn't been a recall already. Are we waiting for there to be a fatality or serious injury for this to receive attention?.