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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 21 of 74

#193 of 727 Re: 1999 Lexus RX 300 [InShock] by wwest

Jan 10, 2009 (10:28 am)

Replying to: InShock (Jan 06, 2009 5:45 pm)
It appears to me that somewhere mid-stream of the 2000 MY a major transaxle changeover, revision, was made.
 
The '99 and early '00 RX300 models appear to have a transaxle design flaw that results in premature transaxle failures in as little as 70-80,000 miles. Insofar as I have been able to learn Lexus has NEVER addressed the problem of the design flaw for these MY's. Only offering, sometimes, to partially compensate owners for repair costs.
 
If the 2000 RX300 you have purchased has the towing package that will be something/somewhat of a good indication that it is one of the late 2000 model year RX300's.
 
Once Lexus discovered, came to realize, the nature of the design flaw the corrective action/FIX appears to have been to change the transaxle's firmware so the line control hydraulic pressure is always kept up to a higher pressure level than the original design specifications called for. That resulted, of course, in more heating of the ATF than was expected with the original design pressure and so most, if not all, future vehicles were shipped with the optional (NOT..!!) tow package which included the auxiliary external ATF cooling.
 
It appears that this technique, "patchwork" fix, continued up until DBW, E-throttle was adopted for the RX330 series. DBW could be, was used, to delay the onset of engine torque when a transaxle gear change was required and ATF line pressure was not sufficient. DBW was used to "enforce" a delay in the onset of raising engine torque long enough for the line pressure to be pumped up to an acceptable level for fully and firmly seating the clutches for the upcoming gear change.

#194 of 727 Re: [jensad] by mnf

Jan 10, 2009 (11:19 pm)

Replying to: jensad (Dec 26, 2008 2:03 pm)
Your correct no one car company is PERFECT including Toyota with Transmissions in Lexus and Engine sludge in early 2000 on many of Toyotas. Subarus had head gasket issues in the 1998-2001 and even Honda with major issues with Transmissions in the 1998-2002 Accords. Then America cars well not enough space to put all of them down
 
MNF

#195 of 727 Re: [lifelover100] by jeevagar

Jan 14, 2009 (4:42 pm)

Replying to: lifelover100 (Jan 04, 2009 7:46 am)
I have a 1999 RX 300 as well and found out this morning that the transmissionn is gone. My dealer has quoted me $5k-6k to fix it and I will see if I can convince them to give me any discounts. Just like all of you on this board, I am furious and very unhappy with the company that promises the "Pursuit of Excellence".
 
In terms of the class action lawsuits, I will be very happy to participate/help with that, but I have the following questions:
 
1) We would clearly want to work with a company with a stellar record on class action lawsuits. How do we know which is the right company?
 
2) Can the people who initiate a lawsuit of this kind get into any kind of trouble for doing so?
 
3) Are these suits filed directly with hundreds (or maybe thousands) of people to start, or do they have a handful of primary plaintiffs and then the rest just tag on to that?

#196 of 727 Re: Recall or Class Action on RX300 Transmissions [bradley57] by jeevagar

Jan 14, 2009 (5:06 pm)

Replying to: bradley57 (Dec 24, 2008 7:01 am)
What dealer did you go to - in what part of the country?
 
I have tried talking to the dealers in the bay area, CA and none of them want to take off a dollar of the price that they quote. They say we should talk to Lexus if we want any discounts..

#197 of 727 Re: [jeevagar] by wwest

Jan 16, 2009 (9:46 am)

Replying to: jeevagar (Jan 14, 2009 4:42 pm)
Miles...??
 
3500-4000 dollars is more typical.

#198 of 727 rx 300 trans problems by allante

Jan 25, 2009 (11:42 pm)

i cannot not believe all the money and whining people are putting out over this trans in the rx300 and not reporting it to nhtsa..everyone needs to take 5 min and report this .if they get enough reports they will make lexus fix it and even compensate past expences of owners that have been out all this money,come on folks wake up.
link below. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsearch.cfm?step=2&t- -

#199 of 727 trans problem by luxusucks

Jan 30, 2009 (7:27 am)

My 2000 rx 300 trans failed with 120000 miles,Took car to dealership $4300 dollors to replace.Luxus ofterd 25% off.Talked with other mechanancs, everyone knows about this problem.Ended up taking it to a trans shop $2500 later works great.My car will never see a luxus dealership again.I have lost all faith in luxus and will tell all rx 300 owners about this problem and tell them to call customer service at 800 255 3987.

#200 of 727 Re: trans problem [luxusucks] by jeevagar

Jan 30, 2009 (11:01 am)

Replying to: luxusucks (Jan 30, 2009 7:27 am)
To follow up on my problem I had reported earlier (1999 RX transmission dead at 101,000 miles), I talked to all the Lexus dealerships around my area, and the cheapest one I could find wanted $4500. I called Lexus and they (in my opinion) were very good about it - my cost $2500. I am happy to have had it fixed by the Lexus dealership as it should not be worse (if not better) than the job by other transmission shops and also fixing it from Lexus will carry some weight when I try and sell this vehicle a few years from now.

#201 of 727 Re: 1999 Lexus RX 300 [wwest] by handeeguy

Feb 09, 2009 (9:57 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Jan 10, 2009 10:28 am)
First time user at edmunds.com: Great info sight.
I am looking at buying a 2000 RX300 with 93k.
I notice a lot of the trany comments are coming from the California area.
I'm in the Northwest.
Is the outdoor temperature the biggest factor in the trany failure rate?
Can one install an after market tow package oil cooler to extend the life of the trany?
Any info or help would be appreciated.
Thank you

#202 of 727 Re: 1999 Lexus RX 300 [handeeguy] by jeevagar

Feb 09, 2009 (10:37 pm)

Replying to: handeeguy (Feb 09, 2009 9:57 pm)
My honest advice - don't buy it! I doubt that the weather plays a big factor. You have a choice of buying whatever vehicle you want - so why buy something that may break down within a year and cost you $5000! IMHO..

Messages Page 21 of 74

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