24th Nov 2006, 13:48
Everyone,
Recently I found the bad reviews on years 99-200x Lexus RX300 and read the entire string of complaints on this page, including someone suggesting to file a report on NHTSA web site.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
To my surprise I did not see one single post regarding the transmission failures.
People, get on it, otherwise there will be no dealer refunds to anyone who had to pay over $4k in repair costs for their transmission, or people like me who are currently having this problem right now, and trying to get the dealer to pay for the repair costs.
So please do file the complaint, unless you want to get suckered in by the motor corporation.
24th Nov 2006, 17:58
Curious, crowing about Lexus, BMW, Acura, Honda, and Nissan even though they say the dealers were rude and terrible, and yet they bash Ford when apparently they don't even have experience with Ford, probably because they wouldn't "lower" themselves to drive an American car. That's fine, have fun with your snooty foreign dealerships that rip you off, apparently you enjoy it.
25th Nov 2006, 14:04
As to answer the last comment: (that was my last comment regarding BMW, Ford, etc...)
People choose to drive what they wish to drive; it has nothing to do with lowering themselves by driving an American vehicle.
I talk about American Manufacturers from personal experience. I've owned an '87 Dodge, ‘91 Mercury Sable, ‘68 Camaro, 67 Mustang and a '94 Ford Explorer.
I have always had something go ridiculously wrong with all the cars, with exception of American Classics, which don't deserve anyone’s put downs as they are “American Classics”.
Every single American Dealership I was on, I had to always come back to get something fixed, way too often and that’s something that does not suit me.
I enjoy driving my cars to work, fun, etc… and I don’t enjoy weekly trips to the dealership where I have to spend money for never ending problems.
Example: 87 dodge tranny went out at 80k, 91 sable had problems with a head gasket, break system, 94 Explorer had a leaking master cylinder, power steering rack and pinion, rear axle seals, corroded fuel lines and all engine mounts began cracking, and all this before the car hit 90k.
In the end conclusion, you be the judge.
25th Nov 2006, 20:25
I went from Mercedes SL in the past then to Acuras also with transmissions woes to 2 new GM's. The snob appeal/ego is all well and good, but when you shell out the big repairs the enthusiasm wanes. I loved the Mercedes until the day I had to buy new exhaust manifolds. I am off the imports,I bought a new loaded black Trailblazer and a white Silverado with Onstar and 100,000 standard warranties.
4th Dec 2006, 17:49
2000 RX300 Tranny busted. 76K miles... I bought it used. Lexus has refused to help. I spent over $4K to repair. I'm pissed!!
If you want to rally the troops in protest you can find me at andykwcs-news@yahoo.com.
20th Dec 2006, 21:38
My RX-300, which I bought used 3 years ago, has just died at 84,000 miles. The transmission went out with no warning at all on a dark road in the middle of nowhere in Mississippi. I couldn't even tell Triple AAA where I was because I pulled off the highway trying to find a gas station.
Anyway, I had the car towed at a cost of $300.00 because there is only one Lexus dealership in the state. It's going to cost $4,000 plus I had to rent a car and drive back to Houston while I wait for them to order the transmission and fix the car.
This ruined my Christmas, and I'm really really mad. I believed all the hype about Lexus being so reliable, but this car is a lemon. I had just spent $2,000 fixing the oil leak problem and they said nothing else was wrong with the car. I have had it serviced at the dealership in Houston exclusively and followed all the rules of car maintenance. I have not abused this car, but taken very good care of it. Is there any recourse with the dealership or am I stuck with the bill? I won't buy another Lexus unless they pay at least part of it.
30th Dec 2006, 16:30
I brought a used 1999 rx300 less than a year ago at 74k miles. Now at 800228 mile the transmission went dead on me while I was driving home at 11:40pm.
I'm unhappy as hell. This will be the last time I'll consider buying a Lexus...
4th Jan 2007, 00:51
Wow! I guess it wasn't my brakes that locked up on me. I was going to work then I feel this jerk to the car. I try to pull onto the side of the road, but I can't move! I can't even coast on neutral. Man this really sucks after reading all these stories. I guess I need a new transmission or a new car! I am ready to complain to Lexus or a lawsuit! -Jimmy jmounivong@comcast.net.
7th Jan 2007, 21:25
Just bought a 2003 awd Rx300, anyone have problems with this year or just 99-00.?
11th Jan 2007, 08:51
Another sad RX300 story. I bought my 2000 RX300 new in 1999. I have followed all guidance about servicing and have changed my oil at every 1500-2000 miles. Being that I am a military service member, I have not been stationed in locations with Lexus dealerships close by, but have all service documentation from certified Toyota service stations. Yesterday my transmission went out and I am looking at a $4600 bill to get the transmission replaced. I have contacted the Lexus service center and am awaiting comment from Lexus over whether they will help me out with that bill.
12th Jan 2007, 17:48
I have just paid $4,300.00 for a transmission rebuild at Cottman two weeks ago. My 99 RX 300 had just turned 100,000 miles. It is very apparent this type of transmission has design defects. Now I am experiencing audible alarms when I turn corners or ride over bumps... all of the doors are securely closed. What next?
28th Jan 2007, 17:46
Just a word of caution to RX300 owners: Change your transmission fluid every year or 12,000 miles regardless of what the owners manual recommends. Our 1999 RX300 developed a vibration when slowing down to stop and the transmission down shifted to a low gear. The car had less than 50,000 highway miles on it when I began reading about transmission problems. That's when I started changing the fluid every year. The transmission is now running great (vibration is gone) and the original transmission now has 160,000 miles. Another recommendation is accelerate gradually, especially after slowing down to a lower gear. Apparently the transmission is undersized for this relatively heavy car and too much acceleration causes excessive wear and tear on the transmission. Hopefully this was corrected in the newer models. Just my opinion.
31st Jan 2007, 19:57
I have a 200 Lexus RX300 with 75427 miles on it. The transmission suddenly went out while driving. The Lexus dealer wants $5200 to replace it. The manual claims that under normal use the transmission fluid does not need to be replaced. It even says this on the dip stick label. The dealer claims that it should have been replaced every 20000 miles. With the warranty only out be 5000 miles, this is extremely aggravating. I have found many similar situations on various web sites, including this one. I am now trying to figure out what to do with the car that is at the Lexus dealer. This car's transmission sounds like it should be recalled. Sudden loss of power is not a good thing, even in a parking lot at low speed it almost caused an accident.
21st Nov 2006, 02:51
No, a monthly trip to the "service garage" isn't acceptable. I haven't had that happening with any of my domestic or foreign cars.