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Lexus RX Transmission Problems

727 messages,  Last post on Jan 13, 2013 at 11:26 AM

You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 350, Lexus RX 330, SUV

    

Messages Page 17 of 73

#160 of 727 2002 RX300 Severe Oil Burn by verygreedy

Aug 30, 2008 (4:22 am)

Here's the deal, I've got a 2002 RX300 with 83,000 miles on it. It was meticulously maintained and oil changed every 3000 miles. I often used Mobil 1 too.
 
Last week as I'm driving home from a road trip around 300 miles, the oil light comes on. I just changed the oil a few days before going on vacation....I pull into a gas station and the dip stick is dry! I have to add 3 full qts to get it back in range. I got home and noticed it was low again...I decided to take it into Lexus at that point and not drive it.
 
They open it up, run compression tests...and tell me the #2 cylinder is jacked up and the spark plug fouled with oil all over it. In the last 500 miles I burned approximately 6+ quarts of oil. I remember getting something in mail regarding an extended 8 year warranty for oil gel or sludge problems with severe oil burn or oil consumption listed. With great maintenance and at 83000 miles....Lexus tells me I need a short block assembly replacement...to the tune of $7,800 with part/labor. I was floored...I showed all of my maintenance records, receipts...the stamped book...and they offered me 25% off as a "good will" assistance. With $5,800 the new price tag...I figure (since the vehicle is the prem pkg and in good shape otherwise) that the car is worth around 13k or so...I spent 30 minutes trying to get them to give me other options and the sales mgr says he'll give me $9,000 off a newer model for a trade in...they won't even fix the RX, just auction it off and pass the problem onto the next guy. Sheesh. Anyways, I pulled the RX (it drives fine, no noise...just burning oil like crazy) over to another mechanic I know..and I'm waiting to see if he can prove it's the same issue that the class action suit was all about. He thinks it is based on what he's seen...and has actually worked on a couple 2002 toyota engines with similar problems. (PCV was chg after 02')
 
They have a really nice 2005 RX330 with 40k miles on it on the lot and he'd knock the price tag from $27k (before taxes) down to around $17500 or so after my trade. My dilemma is whether or not to go with this....I liked the RX alot for the last four years...until this costly problem. What do you guys think? I'm 30 years old and make a decent living as a financial analyst....but man, I don't have six grand sitting around to throw at a 2002. What if it happens again! DOH. I feel kinda stuck...The RX was so great b/c I'm married with a 14 month old girl. Four door and really nice ride...I'd like another one, but man....any guideance or advice is appreciated. I've test driven other cars...I like the Infinity FX....but I really like the RX 330's and 350's alot. And I can't see trying to get another dealer to pay me more for it...even though they wouldn't know of the oil burn issue unless they opened up the engine...and I doubt in trade they'd do that. Any thoughts? Tanks!

#161 of 727 Re: 2002 RX300 Severe Oil Burn [verygreedy] by sktn77a

Sep 08, 2008 (8:47 am)

Replying to: verygreedy (Aug 30, 2008 4:22 am)
I don't think that's a particularly great deal. Unfortunately, the used car market for SUVs has tanked this year so it's hard to gauge what they are worth. One thing is for sure - used car dealerships don't make their money by doing people favors! Look at this deal as you would any other. You should be able to get your engine fixed for a lot less than $7800 and that's only if there's abolutely no evidence that the failure was caused by gelling and therefore covered by Lexus' 8 year goodwill warranty; did they do an inspection and advise you of this?
 
If Lexus won't cover this under the gel warranty (try another dealership and/or call Lexus HQ) I'd get it fixed at an independent.

#162 of 727 Re: 2002 RX300 Severe Oil Burn [sktn77a] by twinmama2

Oct 16, 2008 (12:22 am)

Replying to: sktn77a (Sep 08, 2008 8:47 am)
I have a Lexus RX 300 with 153,000 miles, and I've taken my car to Lexus many times because I could here a ticking noise in the engine. Lexus told me that they were going to do a oil consumption test to see if they could find out where the ticking noise was coming from. Lexus said that they could not hear a noise. My car stopped on me while driving, and had to be towed to the Lexus dealership. Lexus said that my transmission has failed.

#163 of 727 Re: 2002 RX300 Severe Oil Burn [twinmama2] by wwest

Oct 16, 2008 (8:33 pm)

Replying to: twinmama2 (Oct 16, 2008 12:22 am)
You should consider yourself lucky, due to the design flaw I fully expect my '01 RX300's transaxle to fail well before 100,000 miles, now at 75,000 miles. Most '99 RX300 transaxle are failing at less than 80,000 miles.

#164 of 727 Re: 2002 RX300 Severe Oil Burn [twinmama2] by la4mead

Oct 19, 2008 (4:47 pm)

Replying to: twinmama2 (Oct 16, 2008 12:22 am)
You mentioned it was being tested for severe oil burn. That indicates a severe engine problem, and is nearly unrelated to transmission condition, unless overheating was part of the problem.
 
Before you have the transmission repaired, you may want to find the reasons for the engine tick and severe oil burn. Otherwise you may end up with a good transmission and an engine thats ready to be run into the ground.
 
I don't think this is what I would want to hear, but I hope I've helped some.

#165 of 727 Re: 1999 Lexus RX300 transmission problem [boutdone] by la4mead

Nov 16, 2008 (4:06 pm)

Replying to: boutdone (Aug 15, 2008 5:20 pm)
Hey Bout,
 
I'm curious if you got up to your next 2500 miles after the last tranny fluid and filter change.
 
Did your transmission end up working well after the guess that it was bad, and then you serviced it to see how it would fare?
 
Did your fluid come out clean?
 
Did the Lucas additive help?
 
Share with us your wisdom.

#166 of 727 Which Lexus RX300 to buy? fewer miles or newer by woody50

Nov 20, 2008 (7:38 pm)

We need a reliable second car. I can buy a 2000 Lexus RX with 33,400 miles for $14,000 (probably less with some negotiating) OR a 2003 Lexus RX with 67,500 for $16,500.
Older with fewer miles or newer with many miles?
Also, has anyone had a good experience with purchasing extended warranties?
I feel like I took a walk through the slums this week, after inquiring and talking with reps who seem like stockbrokers and fast talkers from the 1980s.
 
Thank you for your input
Neil

#167 of 727 Re: Which Lexus RX300 to buy? fewer miles or newer [woody50] by la4mead

Nov 20, 2008 (10:43 pm)

Replying to: woody50 (Nov 20, 2008 7:38 pm)
I'd get the more refined (esp. reliability) mature-model 2003 RX with more miles. I'd use the higher mileage and slow market as leverage to bargain the price down. I have the impression the earlier models with low mileage would not be the best choice for you, for whatever that's worth. Use the keyword "search" and look in this and the main RX300 forum at similar past posts.
 
Good luck and let us know all about it!

#168 of 727 2001 RX300 transmission failure by bradley57

Dec 17, 2008 (8:42 pm)

Maintenance on my SUV had been performed on schedule, no problems. At about 86k, I took it in to be checked after the tranny slipped a couple of times. Lexus flushed and replaced the transmission fluid and said all was fine, never mentioning the record on this model's transmission. At 98k the transmission failed. Lexus wanted $4400 to repair. After searching the Net, I found this site and the record for this model. I called Lexus, told them I was aware of the history of problems and requested their assistance. One day later service rep called back to say the dealership would split the cost 50/50. Thanks guys!

#169 of 727 Re: 2001 RX300 transmission failure [bradley57] by la4mead

Dec 18, 2008 (12:09 am)

Replying to: bradley57 (Dec 17, 2008 8:42 pm)
I'm glad to hear they are still offering the "goodwill". It sounds like you are getting a good deal for a Lexus rebuilt tranny in the hopes of earning your continued loyalty. I hope (and expect) it will work out well for you in the long run. That's a lot better than the out-of-warrantee coverage that would be offered to you from other equally expensive makes.
 
Please let us know how your experience goes.

Messages Page 17 of 73

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