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SUVs Lexus RX 300/330/350 Lexus RX 300 Transmission Problems
306 messages, Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 8:40 AM
You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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I have been trying to get my arms around how real or how isolated these problems are. My mom and dad have a 99 RX300, which only has 45k on it and really have had no problems with it at all. In fact the only annoying part of this car is that the odometer freezes and won't allow you to access trip a and/or b, and visa versa, but that is being addressed with Lexus cust service and is for another post altogether. Granted, they haven't driven this car that much but it looks and runs like new. Now, I have taken all of the information on these boards with regard to engine sludge buildup and trans failures to my neighbor, who has been a lead mechanic for Toyota for 15 years...According to him, the overwhelming reason an engine would accumulate sludge is because the oil is not getting changed on a regular basis. Maybe there are some isolated cases...but it's extremely rare for a properly maintained engine to accumulate sludge. Now, the transmission problems...My parents car has the tow prep package and so I know this is indeed an aide in keeping things cool down there. After careful consideration on whether to do a flush or a drain and fill, I decided on the latter because flushes while good intended, can have negative results. The fluid was a little off color, but with the drain and fill, it brought back the cherry red look to the fluid (I know a drain and fill only replaces about 40% or so of the total fluid). Now, my understanding from my source is that the RX300's transmission is the identical (well maybe not IDENTICAL, but...) twin of the same unit that is in the Toyota Highlander, which, again, I am told by my source that his dealership RARELY see trans problems with the Highlander. Now, granted, some of you may say I am comparing apples and oranges, and who knows maybe to some degree I am. But it is conceivable that Toyota does cross use components in their automobiles and across divisions?? I am not trying to discount anyone's negative experience with these cars, but I am just trying to get a real read on if this is widespread as it may seem. You know it goes...those that have problems sound off and those that don't, we don't hear from. I mean to say that if they made 2 million of these cars, are we hearing from the 1000 or so that have had a bad experience? (Don't quote me on the numbers I am just trying to make a point). I would love to hear from some of the folks on this board that have 300's to sound off if they HAVE NOT had any engine or trans problems. Let's hear from you all, too! JBL |
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Replying to: jbl85 (Aug 22, 2009 10:21 am)
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Replying to: gbryant (Aug 22, 2009 10:58 am) Out of how many hundreds of thousands of vehicles, that is a pretty small percentage of complaints. Most people don't bother searching the internet to post messages to report "no problem" compared to those with complaints, but nowhere near the statistically low number you mentioned. And of those who complain, usually their report says they had their car "serviced" but they leave out specifics. The fluid condition is a dead giveaway. Transmission service is usually left up to the owner, and rarely does Lexus dealer suggest it. In fact, there are reports from owners who were disappointed with transmission problems, but were taken care of by Lexus without problem, why would they bother looking for somewhere to post a complaint? And Lexus stood by them during their standard long powertrain warrantee. They they have even made exceptions for some that are out of warrantee. Not many manufacturers do that. Try to find one! Some folks got poorly rebuilt transmissions and they have a legitimate gripe, even if the third-party rebuild was sourced by Lexus, but not rebuilt by them. The trans in these models clearly are more vulnerable than many of us expected when we bought them new. However, failure rates compared to many vehicles, especially SUV's don't seem statistically massive, so I don't know where you want to go with that. I think a big part of the problem is there are a lot of early RX's that were leased. Why would you do anything extra on a leased car? The mfr didn't say to service the transmission often, why bother when it will be someone else's problem later down the road? Here we see the results of that kind of attitude, combined with the type of use many of these cars are subject to (shuttling, idling just to run a/c, city driving, low miles, etc.) and a weak original design combine. My $.02 |
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Replying to: jbl85 (Aug 22, 2009 10:21 am) What was the first prouction year for teh HL vs RX..?? The first "fix" was applied to the RX in (mid..??) 2000. |
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I have a 1999 RX300 with 104,000 miles on it. It just recently quit shifting into Overdrive. It shifts fine in the first 3 gears but want go into OD. Initially this was intermittently, but now seems to happen more frequently, especially when the car warms up. Anyone familiar with this problem?
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Replying to: mbcayce (Aug 26, 2009 12:26 pm) My guess is the fluid is already contaminated and has been for a long time. It's probably no longer translucent pink. That's your first check. If so, you might want to shop around for the best deal on a transmission rebuild or replacement right away. If you are still able to drive the car you are at a bargaining advantage. I wouldn't push your luck too far. It's very easy to check. In case you haven't checked it before or don't have an owner's manual: with engine running in Park with the brake on tight, open the hood, look on the right half (transmission/transaxle) there is a yellow dipstick labeled "transmission" with a paper towel, pull the dipstick out. Wipe the fluid at the end of the dipstick and inspect for color and/or burned smell. If the transmission has been serviced regularly and the fluid remains pink, there is a slight possibility the problem is not internal. But I'd get it fixed right away. Please report back and let us know what you find out. Best luck to you.
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Replying to: la4mead (Aug 26, 2009 1:35 pm) With the one-year warranty expiring, we went to the Lexus dealer in April 2009 and had them take our service complaint. July 2009 the transmission began to make a high pitch whine that got worse in August. Finally, the new transmission would no longer engage forward gears and the rig was transported via flatbed for service by the dealer (only 6,000 miles on this rebuild). Because of the extensive documentation we had maintained from the first month of service with this #2 transmission, Lexus paid for everything (parts/labor) on transmission #3. Shifting is very smooth with this new unit, so we have our fingers crossed and intend to document every heartbeat of this rebuild. We are extremely pleased with the service offered by the dealer in Eugene. Hope your O/D issue is just dirty fluid, but the RX300 transmission has plenty of online forum comments to be considered. The RX330 uses a different transmission, as I understand it, as do the newer models.
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Replying to: bendorrx300 (Aug 27, 2009 12:36 pm) Question - Are the transmission problems mostley in the AWD RX's or is it in all the tranmissions including the FWD? |
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Replying to: gbryant (Aug 22, 2009 10:58 am) 1) Lexus Dealer's Service (maybe for just this particular VA location?) is very disappointing. You need to call them every step along the way to get answers about the status of your car. They also want to charge me $195 for the alignment that they said is needed besides the transmission work. And after bilking $4700 from Ford ESP warrantee, you would think they would give me an alignment courtersy discount for their overcharged service, but the rep said NO discount, not even a penny! I just said fine, I could have the alignment done at some other good repairs shop for about 1/2 that price so NO to your arrogrant, disgusting attitude. See if they would have me back as customers (or Lexus customers for that matter, after I trade in this car) ever again. 2) My hat off to FORD ESP pre-owned warrantee plan. They honor their plan to the T (paid for the tow, even asked what make of the car, and tow it to the nearest dealer w/out customer's request...I would have agreed if they suggest other just-as-good repairs shop, other than the cut-throat Lexus dealer!. Also offered to pay for rental cars (took 3 days to fix), but I declined the offer to save them some expense. (paid $1600 for the 4-year ESP plan, so they're already $3000 in the hole after this claim!). 3) Does anyone know if there's already a complaint petition about this Lexus RX300's particular transmission problems that I can sign on? What's the most effective way to let Lexus know about this problem? What would be the good address to write to? 4) Once again, my thanks to FORD ESP service, and would not hestitate to recommend them to anyone. If you need to buy pre-owned car, especiall this disappointing Lexus RX300, then trust me, by any means ask for the FORD ESP plan...They are the best out there IMO. Thanks for any help on what I can do to let Lexus know about their disappointing service, and their non-response to customers who have so many problems with the RX300's transmission!
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Ditto, REVERSE... A few years ago I purchased a used Mercury Sable and promply went over to Toyota and purchased an extended warranty for the Sable. Never had very much done under the warranty but Toyota ALWAYS stepped up. Nothing good to say about the way Toyota and Lexus are treating THEIR OWN customers regarding the FLAWED transaxle design introduced with the RX300 in '98 and soon migrated to most other Toyota and Lexus FWD and F/awd vehicles. More than time for a trip to the woodshed.
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