18th Jul 2007, 22:29

Just wanted to add to my comment above...

I had just returned from the dealership where I had left my car overnight for an inspection of the transmission. Apparently the mechanics ran a diagnostic test and found absolutely nothing wrong with the transmission. I was assured that everything was OK with the transmission.

I was told, however, that the transmission fluid was a little dark. This is not a Lexus dealership, btw. They suggested that I do a complete transmission fluid flush/exchange for about $200. They said that they needed to order special transmission fluid for this car, which is why this is so costly.

If I decide to go with this service, should I do this at a non-Lexus dealership or should I have a Lexus mechanic do this? And does $200 sound right?

Hamilton200@yahoo.com.

19th Jul 2007, 13:52

Wow. Add another to the list. I stumbled across this website today - thanks to those who have shared their experiences good and bad.

I purchased a 2001 RX300 from the original owner in May 2007. 2 weeks later on my annual golf trip up to the Carolinas, the transmission went out at $82K!! This blew my mind. The car has been lady-driven by the previous owner, no towing, and 2WD. My 95 Camry V6 SE and 2001 Lexus GS430 have been solid as rock. Anyway... I was very lucky on 2 accounts: (1) I was near a dealer (Lexus of Greenville) and (2) the car was still under an extended warranty (6 year/100,000 mile). Phew. The Lexus dealer service was great - they towed the car on a flat bed, gave me a 2007 RX350 loaner (nice) so I could continue my trip, and replaced the transmission (approx $3800). No cost to me and my main dealer in Orlando (Lexus of Orlando) helped coordinate the warranty info since I had just purchased the car.

The repaired transmission seemed fine on the way back, but I am now leery of future problems when the warranty runs out in Dec 2007. I have noticed the idle is rough (perhaps an engine mount?) and will be taking the car into the dealer next week.

What I don't understand: Why isn't this problem showing up on Consumer Reports data?

Just wanted to add another data point to this thread.

If I do sell, I will go with a 4Runner and the V8 powertain.. not quite as luxurious or smooth riding, but that powertrain is very proven (used since 1998 in LX470, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, etc. and proven to be very reliable.)

PS My model is a 2001. Did anyone ever confirm the transmission design was changed after '99/'00???

19th Jul 2007, 15:44

My advice would be to not fall for these scams where quickie lube places tell you that you need to get your transmission fluid flushed. Take it to the dealer and have them look at it, and do the work if necessary.

Also, look in your owner's manual for the maintenance schedule, and compare it to the miles on your car. These "transmission flushes" are useless because they don't change the filter. If you let the "non dealer" place do it, mark my words, your next stop will be AAMCO where you will really get taken for a ride for a transmission rebuild.

26th Jul 2007, 08:49

I am in shock reading this page! I have a 2001 RX300 with 103,00 miles. I was on my way to Georgia from Texas and my car completely died on I-20 in Vicksburg. We were almost rear ended - my 3 year old son and my 60 year old mother were with me. My car was towed to the only dealership in the entire state and they promptly told me it was the transmission with a replacement cost of $4600. We did have the extended warranty that went out 3,000 miles prior to the breakdown. The worst part of this is that now I am stuck with the car for as long as it will go. After investing $5000 in it I am surely no going to get rid of it for a few years at least.

Here is the kicker... my husband had taken my car to the oil and lube place TWO days before we left for on our trip to make sure everything was good. They flushed the transmission fluid. Do you guys think that it maybe had something to do with the transmission failing? Everything was perfect with the car until I stopped and got gas in Vicksburg. As soon as I got on I-20 it started acting up.

Any advice on how to get any money back? Do you think that since we got the last service at a non Lexus place I cannot get at least my labor money back?

Also, has anyone confirmed whether the transmission were supposedly fixed by the year 2001?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

MandyL97@aol.com.

1st Aug 2007, 15:31

I have a 99 RX300 and man I can't believe the issues I have had. My D light is also out. I have had to replace a sensor ($600) and now I was just told I have to replace the A/C Clutch at $1054 (part only cost $200 at most parts places). It is always something with this car. and the dealership is loving the fact they can charge an arm and a leg to fix all this stuff. It amazes me that a $23 part (Drive Belt) can end up costing me $300 at the dealership. How can this car be such a lemon when most Toyota's are so great?

(this is just some of the work that has been needed in the last 5 months)

10th Aug 2007, 16:32

OK, I am glad that I ran into this page. I am very very hesitant to buy a Lexus now. I am wondering why no other site has posted these kinds of warnings, or why Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com rate this car so highly?

23rd Aug 2007, 04:36

We have owned our 1999 Lexus RX 300 since new, and have treated it well. Until last year (2006) it gave us no problems. Last year, the engine light came on and the dealer could find nothing wrong, so re-set the sensors and sent us on our way. Several months later, the engine light came on again. This time the dealer cleaned the sensors and sent us away. We were told that the sensors sometimes get dirty and just need cleaning. The light came back on a few days later. We assumed it was just the sensors mis-reading, and continued to drive the car. A month or so later, our oil light came on. Checking the oil level indicated that there was almost no oil in the car, although the car was not leaking oil on the ground, and did not seem to be burning it.

Monitoring the oil for the next while, we discovered that we were using up 1 litre of oil every 700 kilometers). The dealer now indicates that there is a problem with the engine, although they can't be certain what the problem is. We have two options: Replace the valves at a cost of approximately $1700,00 and hope it solves the problem, or replace the engine. Our car has 174,000 kilometres on it, which is not a great deal for a Toyota engine. After reading the comments here, I am hesitant to spend any money on the car, in case the transmission and seals also start to give me problems.

I am also surprised that not many of the comments here have reported problems with the engine, and thought I would add my recent experience to the list.