Noises During Shifting Problems of Lexus RX300

It started with a high pitch whinning noise followed by a clunking noise whenever it shifts. It is getting progressively worse each day. Shavings were found in the transmission fluid when it was changed.

See all problems of the 2001 Lexus RX300 🔎.

We bought this vehicle (Lexus Rx300 4wd) on 11/29/2002 with 27,080 miles on it from local Lexus dealer. It is my wife's primary vehicle and she drives it to work daily (about 20 miles per day). At 111,000 miles the check engine light came on and the transmission was shifting erratically ie. Down shifting suddenly when it shouldn't and slipping gears. It also makes a strange constant noise. It had been more and more shifting this way off and on for 2 or 3 months. I took it to Lexus dealer on 8/24/2011 because of check engine light and the service consultant stated it needs new transmission (this was said in the same tone of "you need a new air filter") and they would replace it for $5,208. 80. When I asked service consultant if this was a very common problem he stated that it was not. He said my transmission could totally fail ant any time even while driving. This is a definite safety issue. The operators manual states "it is necessary to change transmission fluid only if your vehicle is driven under special operating conditions" which we don't. I checked edmunds and blogs on line and there are hundreds of complaints over this issue and I think it needs to be investigated because I don't want my wife to get in an accident on the interstate and so it just sets in my garage.

See all problems of the 2000 Lexus RX300 🔎.

We bought this vehicle (Lexus Rx300 4wd) on 11/29/2002 with 27,080 miles on it from local Lexus dealer. It is my wife's primary vehicle and she drives it to work daily (about 20 miles per day). At 111,000 miles the check engine light came on and the transmission was shifting erratically ie. Down shifting suddenly when it shouldn't and slipping gears. It also makes a strange constant noise. It had been more and more shifting this way off and on for 2 or 3 months. I took it to Lexus dealer on 8/24/2011 because of check engine light and the service consultant stated it needs new transmission (this was said in the same tone of "you need a new air filter") and they would replace it for $5,208. 80. When I asked service consultant if this was a very common problem he stated that it was not. He said my transmission could totally fail ant any time even while driving. This is a definite safety issue. The operators manual states "it is necessary to change transmission fluid only if your vehicle is driven under special operating conditions" which we don't. I checked edmunds and blogs on line and there are hundreds of complaints over this issue and I think it needs to be investigated because I don't want my wife to get in an accident on the interstate and so it just sets in my garage.

The contact owns a 2000 Lexus Rx300. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced in 2008. He recently heard a noise coming from the engine and the rpms displayed inaccurate readings. While idling at a traffic light, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact was able to shift into a low gear and moved the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 75,360.

Own a 1999 Lexus RX 300. Engine transmission has been sluggish since I purchased the car in 2001. Since we have owned the car we complained the dealer that when you start to run the car in the morning it will take a few minutes before the car will shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. The dealer kept telling us that was normal for the model car. The transmission got continually more sluggish over the years meaning that there was hesitation or jerky ness when you would pull your foot off of the gas. Last week I started to hear a grinding noise when the car was shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. I just got back from the repair shop where I was told that the transmission which just turned 130,000 miles was shot and that the only fix was to purchase a rebuilt one from Lexus at a cost of $4,500 to $5,000. They told me they were aware that this was a common problem with 1999 - 2001 RX 300 transmissions but that there was never a recall or service bulletin issued. If this is a common problem then I think someone should do something about it.

See all problems of the 1999 Lexus RX300 🔎.

Over the course of a few months the following occurred several times: I would shift the car in reverse to back out. At first the car didn't respond, then it would make a clunking noise and a jolt and then shift. Shortly after, it made a high pitched whinnying sound from the engine, but only when it was cold. The dealer could not duplicate the problem when the car was warm. The dealer informed me that it needed a re-manufactured transmission and the cost was almost $5,000. Car has just over 100,000 miles. All service was done, including the 90,000 mile service.

The contact owns a 2001 Lexus Rx300. While driving 55 mph, the contact heard a high pitched noise coming from the front of the vehicle. In addition, the gears would not shift properly. The dealer stated that there was a complete transmission failure. As of February 28, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 84,000.