1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
97,363 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2000 Lexus RX 300:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #92

Mar 032009

RX 300

  • 95,243 miles
Transmission would not shift, would shift when it shouldn't have, when put in gear would do nothing then unexpectedly lurch forward or backward depending on gear selection. Lexus dealer replaced transaxle assembly.

- West Chester, OH, USA

problem #91

Apr 072009

RX 300

  • 89,000 miles
I own a 2000 model Lexus rx 300 which was been having all services on time at Lexus dealer and at 89K mile my transmission has been broken. I have learned that this a common encountered problem by may rx 300 owner and seems possible related to faulty manufacturing. I have contacted Lexus for replacement, however there seems to be a need for a recall on this matter.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #90

Feb 112009

RX 300

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Lexus RX300. The contact heard a screeching sound that occurred intermittently when the vehicle was started. The sound would cease several minutes later. The contact believed that the transmission was the cause for the noise. She also noticed that the outer casing for the headlights turned a milky white color, which hinders effective lighting. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and the manufacturer was not notified. The current mileage was approximately 76,900 and failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Lewisville , KY, USA

problem #89

Mar 272009

RX 300

  • 75,628 miles
2000 rx 300 started having a whining noise when first started to go up hills when cold. Transmission then started to slip on way over mountains. I was able to drive to town at slow speed before transmission failed.

- Tigard, OR, USA

problem #88

Mar 282009

RX 300

  • 135,600 miles
My 2000 Lexus RX300 started having gear slipping problems 3 days ago. Today, the transmission won't go into any gear reverse or forward. After doing research online, it appears that hundred of people have experienced sudden transmission failure on Lexus rx models. Obviously, both your organization and Lexus know of this problem and yet nothing is done about recalling this model with the problem.

- Farmington, MN, USA

problem #87

Mar 192009

RX 300

  • 77,000 miles
My transmission just went out on my 2000 rx 300 with 77K. I have felt it slip several times in the last two yrs as I tried to put it in reverse. Now it just left me stranded on the road, fortunately close to my home. I have not had the repair fixed yet as I am not sure if I should go to an independent shop or to the Lexus dealership.

- Elm Grove, WI, USA

problem #86

Mar 132009

RX 300

  • 100,000 miles
Failed transmission under 100,000 miles. Have spoken to many others with the same vehicle, year, etc with the same problem.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #85

Feb 142007

RX 300

  • 70,430 miles
Transmission started slipping on my 200 Lexus rx 300 at 70K miles transmission failure replaced with a rebuilt transmission.

- Gilbertsville, PA, USA

problem #84

Feb 222009

RX 300

  • 140,000 miles
Transmission gone on my 2000 Lexus vehicle, RX300 model. There seems to be a need for a recall as many other owners have experienced this same problem. There was never any indication of problems with transmission and car has been kept up properly.

- Beverly, MA, USA

problem #83

Feb 142000

RX 300

  • 136,000 miles
Lexus rx 300 driving 65 mph when transmission suddenly popped into 1st gear and would not up shift. Limped the car home and have not had a chance to contact dealer. It appears many owners are having this similar problem. I am surprised there has not been a recall on this transmission.

- Aubrey, TX, USA

problem #82

Feb 062009

RX 300

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Lexus RX300. While driving 47 mph, the contact heard a noise and then felt a jolt in the transmission. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The engine was still running, but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The dealer stated that the repair would cost $4,000. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Rancho Cardova , CA, USA

problem #81

Feb 012009

RX 300

  • 95,000 miles
I have a 2000 RX300 that broke down as I was accelerating to enter the freeway coming back from a trip 2 hours North of home. Was eventually able to go about 25mph back to family's house. Aaa towed it then to a mechanic. He took the pan off and said there was a lot of metal. In researching this there are several forums with similar complaints on the RX300. Nothing has been done at this point. We're not sure if we can spend $5000 to repair this car that we thought had such great reliability.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #80

Feb 022009

RX 300

  • 114,283 miles
The transmission failed in my 2000 Lexus rs-300.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #79

Jan 042009

RX 300

  • 120,789 miles
Was driving down the interstate with my son in the seat. The car stopped going. Almost got smashed by an 18 wheeler. Got it towed home and found out I need a new transmission!

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #78

Dec 232008

RX 300

  • 120,000 miles
The transsmision on my luxus rx 300 failed with 120,000 miles. Luxus wanted to pay 25 % of the bill.($4300). I told them tha T a luxus car should not fail with that low mileage.

- Senoia, GA, USA

problem #77

Dec 232008

RX 300

  • 174,000 miles
I have a well kept 2000 RX300 - transmission went completely out. It was on the interstate heading out of town for christmas. It is a one owner car. What recourse do I have. I paid $4000+ to get it replaced. Not including towing 150 miles and rental car.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #76

Jan 142009

RX 300

  • 124,000 miles
I have a 2000 Lexus RX300 with 124,000 miles on it. The transmission has failed in the car after normal driving conditions. The maintenance manual does not indicate to change the transmission oil in the car, only to check it. I have been on numerous Lexus internet sites which have stated the same problem has occurred to them with the same model and year Lexus.

- Mays Landing, NJ, USA

problem #75

Jan 042008

RX 300

  • miles
Well taken care of Lexus rx 300 transmission failure twice. Used transmission installed in 2004 after first failure. Special attention was given such as never shifting gears quickly when backing up and to put into drive. Transmission will be replaced... again. The used transmission helps to prove transmission failure is inevitable.

- Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #74

Nov 082008

RX 300

  • 100,000 miles
Well taken care of 2000 Lexus RX300 has failed transmission. Could have caused accident as went out on busy road with no notice. 100K predominantly highway miles. Very well cared for, one owner vehicle. New transmission cost equals $4000 per dealer call. A transmission should not go out on a well cared for, highway driven vehicle. Would love to have shared a picture of my GMC Yukon pulling my wife's Lexus to the Toyota dealership this morning. Awful reliability for what the price of this car originally cost. The Lexus was purchased for perceived reliability. I guess perception is not reality. Buyer beware on Lexus high priced garbage!

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #73

Jun 012008

RX 300

  • 110,000 miles
Transmission failed at approximately 110,000 miles on 2000 rx-200. Ran fine until it started making a grinding noise. The transmission had to be completely replaced (including the case). Cost $4500.

- Arlington, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »