Faults:

ABS axle needed replacing at 106,000 miles - $1,500!

I was surprised this happened, but after reading comments on this site and others, I guess I shouldn't be. I'm not sure if I will go back to Lexus, though they have cars I'm interested in - hybrid SUV's. The dealership is nice and feels luxurious - especially compared to other luxury dealers.

But, I am definitely disappointed in the mechanical problems.

Faults:

The first problem I experienced was an oil leak that cost over $2300 in 2007.

I recently was driving the car, and with no warning light or anything, the car lost power and the transmission completely went out.

My car only has 109,000 miles, and has been driven mildly, averaging 10,000 a year. I regularly maintain the vehicle with oil changes every 3000 miles, and in November (4 months prior) had the transmission fluids flushed.

I had to have my car towed to the nearest Lexus dealership, to also find out that it need a new engine due to an "engine gelling problem". Lexus had a lawsuit filed against them due to the engine gelling problem, and they were to notify customers that owned a Lexus back in June 2006 of this problem. They did not have me in their records as the owner, and therefore did not notify me of this problem, or any other, even though I have been registered through the department of motor vehicles since 2006, so they will not fix the engine in its entirety, as I feel they should, because the lawsuit's timeline had lapsed.

I think this is really poor on their part, as they knew they had not notified me, and they knew that this year of vehicle had this problem.

I have also had the car accelerate on its own prior to the acceleration lawsuit filed against Toyota. That in itself is really a hazard, and luckily caught it early and had the problem fixed.

I would NEVER own another Lexus, and would recommend selling one if you own it, or you may have the ridiculous bill I am ending up with overnight with no warning whatsoever.

The car is very, very poorly made, and I would NEVER, NEVER buy another. I am disappointed with Lexus, as it is supposed to be a luxury car. They state on their website that they will win the race, because they will do it right the first time. That is a complete joke, and they do not stand behind their product.

Faults:

2000 Lexus RX300 AWD. 110,000 miles. Purchased new.

While driving on the highway, the transmission failed and the car coasted to a stop. No forward or reverse drive to wheels. Diagnosis: Needs new transmission, $5000. This is the infamous U140F transmission that has experienced so many problems.

The only other problem I've had is a leaking rear main seal (another common RX300 problem), for which the transmission had to be pulled by the dealer. Part = $15, Labor = $1100.

General Comments:

Do NOT purchase a Lexus RX300, no matter what the salesmen tell you.