dsin

After driving my RX300 (2000) for 4 yrs, my transmission was tossed on 145K, back to Lexus dealer, they told me I am out of luck, and have to pay 6000 for a new transmission. I try to contact Lexus Canada, they said not covered under warranty due to mileage. Any suggestions or assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks

mek88

Is it 145K Miles or 145K KM?

I belief Lexus powertrain warranty is 70K miles in USA.


Have you ever had any the transmission oil change?
If you've, what kind of Tansmission oil did you use?

I belief, it is a mandatory to use TOYOTA TYPE IV transmission fluid.

My 99 RX300AWD has 110K miles, and shift smoothly. I change the tranny oil every 15K using only Toyota Type IV fluid.

Mike
Email: mek88@yahoo.com in Los Angeles

mhc0725

If it's 145K miles, then I can't see any manufacturer giving anything back. It's a Lexus and you would like that it goes 200K without problems, but 145K isn't too bad, if you've had the car since new.

If it's 91K miles, then that's a bummer for not at least reaching 100K before issues, but even at this, the warranty is what the warranty is. You've gone 30K over (I believe the warranty on powertrain was 60K), so that's already 50% more than what it was warrantied for.

No matter how good a car line is built, there are always going to be defective lemons that are made and you just happen to get that .1% that doesn't make it to 100K for Lexus'.

$6000 is steep and I'm sure this will lower your opinion of Lexus quality, but hopefully this won't make you not purchase another one and possibly make a bigger mistake by purchasing a different make.

Good luck anyway with Lexus.

Cobra V

forget the new transmission, just go to bob's auto repair or something and get a transmission rebuild. it'll be MUCH cheaper(i'd say around $1,000).

toy4two

When our Toyota Previa auto and Honda Accord trannies both died around 150,000 and 180,000 miles repectivley, we just went down to the salvage yard and they pulled one off of a junker and put it in our cars for $800 and it came with a 6 month warranty.

All Toyota Lexus down in south San Diego.

I always prefer manual transmissions as they never seems to die, just need new clutchs every 60,000 miles. Auto trannies do seem to wear out.

Hockey2315

The tranny on our 2001 died at about 64k miles. Luckilly, the powertrain is covered by warranty for 70,000 miles, rather than 60 like all other parts are. I've heard that this is a fairly common problem, and rather than repairing whatever may be damaged, Lexus prefers that the dealer installs a new transmission rather than even opening up the old one.

mek88

Is your RX300 All wheel drive or front wheel drive?

My 99 RX300AWD with 120k miles has towing package which include a heavy duty radiator AND "Transmission oil cooler" (sort of small radiator located behind passanger side front bumper) to help cooling down the transmission fluid.

I belief tranny oil cooler can increase the life of the tranny.


Email: mek88@yahoo.com in Los Angeles

flipside909

Every 60k? I have 90k miles on my Solara SE V6 5spd Manual w/94k miles and original clutch. Lots of life left. You must ride your clutch alot.

flipside909

Hmmm what type of maintenance was done to this tranny in terms of fluid change/flush methods?

toy4two

Yea with my Toyota MR2 I was heavy into Auto X Events, I race all my cars and bikes hard. The RX is the only car I drive civilly. I guess normal drivers could get even more than 60k out of their clutches.

toy4two

If you read the dip stick for the tranny fluid, on my 2000 AWD anyway, it says the fluid never needs to be changed.

I changed mine last week at 60k just because I have bad experience with auto trannies from Honda and Toyota once over 150k miles.

Then again picking one up at a salvage yard for $800 really isn't much over the life of the car.

flipside909

Yeah Auto-x is expensive for sure. Tires, brakes and clutches usually are the first to go. The Solara is definitely not an auto-x car despite the suspension mods i have haha. FWD cars are no fun to auto-x with.

gcrim21

Mike, when you change transmission fluid, do you do just a drain or a power flush to remove fluid in the torque converter? I have had the transmission fluid power flushed every 30,000 miles. It has a little under 88,000 miles on it and will be due again at 90,000 miles.
The reason I ask is some say never do a power flush and some say only do a drain. Actually all the manual says is just check the fluid and watch the color but I do a fluid change. Lexus says the fluid is permanent type. That's debateable.

GCrim21

Lexmex

gcrim21,

I agree with you. Some debate whether it is better to flush or drain. One of the Lexus dealers I went to had flush available, and I did it. Much smoother transmission.

I have been told to flush every 30K and drain every 15K.