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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
After $3000+ in repairs for the main seals leaking, the rear seals leaking, timing belt replacement, and all other belts replaced, my check engine light appeared, and I brought it to the dealership. They later informed me that my engine is being replaced. They made no mention of the class action lawsuit, due to engine sludge build-up, that prompted the replacement, but I soon received a letter regarding it, and all the Lexus and Toyota models affected. I complained about the $3000 charge, but got no satisfaction from the dealership, but only the explanation, "we had no way of knowing that the engine was going to develop 'sludge'." now, with less than 1000 miles on the new engine my check engine light comes on again, the car is making awful noises under the dash like a speaker is blown, and the transmission seems to not ever get into first gear. I took the car back to the dealership in austin, tx., and they inform me that I need a $5000 transmission and fuse box. A fuse box. Excellent. I am hoping for a recall or another class action lawsuit after researching the problem on-line, and seeing the multitudes of people complaining of RX300 transmissions failing at relatively low mileage.
- Austin, TX, USA
- on 12-22-06 while driving on the highway at 70 mph transmission dropped to first gear and would not move out of first gear. The contact stated that the vehicle has been serviced at the dealership on schedule. The contact currently has vehicle at the repair facility. Updated 2/27/2007 -
- Centennial, CO, USA
Purchased 2000 Lexus RX300. Serviced by dealer at all recommended times. One previous owner prior to me. At approximately 125,000 miles. Engine light came on, diagnostic done. Need new transmission. Apparently this is a well known problem with this model. How can they be allowed to sell defective product to consumers" isn't that fraud"
- Liberty Township, OH, USA
Transmission failure.
- Santa Monica, CA, USA
2000 Lexus RX300 with 85K miles -- transmission failed while driving. Car acted like it was in neutral. Dealer has said it needs a completely new transmission. I have since found many, many similar stories on various web sites. If this had happened at highway speeds and in traffic I am sure there would have been an accident.
- Bethesda, MD, USA
After a few weeks of feeling occasional slippage in the drive train of my 2000 RX300 (118K miles), I had my local mechanic check it out. He drove tested it, checked all fluid levels, visually inspected the transmission, transfer case, U-joints etc and couldn't find a problem. Today with no further notice, the transmission fully broke - lurching, clunking, and after pulling over total slippage. I had it towed to a transmission shop where I'm waiting for an evaluation of the situation. If this had happened on a busy highway, I could have caused a severe accident, as there was no acceleration causing a very unsafe and dangerous situation.
- Cameron Park, CA, USA
: the contact stated while attempting to place the vehicle into the drive gear the automatic transmission control module failed. Neither the drive nor reverse gear could be engaged. The vehicle was unable to move and was towed to the dealership. Upon inspection, the dealership discovered metal particles in the transmission oil. The diagnosis indentified that the transmission was lubricated with metal shavings and other contaminants therefore the entire transmission system would need to be replaced.
- Campbell, CA, USA
Early failure of planetary gear set in Lexus RX300 transmission failing in morning traffic in busy street.
- Toddville, IA, USA
: the contact stated while driving the vehicle 35 mph the transmission failed. The vehicle acted as if it was in neutral. The vehicle restarted after a few minutes and was driven to a dealership. The vehicle continued to shift very hard and felt as if were going to stall. The dealership determined the transmission needed to be replaced. Prior to this incident there was a whining sound coming from under the hood.
- Johnston, IA, USA
Mileage 75000 AWD RX300 complete failure of transmission pump. Loss of vehicle control and manuverability => dangerous car was 100% maintained by a Lexus dealer web revealed many similar failures first time Toyota tried to use a lifetime transmission fluid, it did not work!!!!
- Arvada, CO, USA
While traveling on central expressway in dallas US75 going about 65 my Lexus RX300 lost forward acceleration as cars zoomed past me, the engine was still on as I managed to safely exit onto the access road and into a parking lot. I turned the vehicle off and checked for leaks or a broken belt, but found no problem. I restarted the vehicle and kept going. I talked to the Lexus dealer in plano but service dept. Was closed and they reffered me to take it into my austin dealer. I was told that without a check engine light nothing would be found. I continued to drive my vehicle and while on another trip it lost forward acceleration again, only to find out it was the transmission. I had to replace it, rent a car and then fly back to a Toyota dealer to pick it up.
- Austin, TX, USA
- Micaville, NC, USA