Someone from my Acura forum posted this rebuild place, BTW, Accord platform based TL/CL/MDX has a recall on tranny, Acura extended the powertrain to 7 years 100K.
http://www.levelten.com/store/import/packages/lexus.htm

 

Never towed it, or towed anything with it (it is AWD and came with tow package though). It honestly was babied for it's entire life - soccer mom duty at worst.

 

hmm I guess the shop thinks its easier to swap than to trouble shoot.

Here is the order I would reccomend (your post said talked to Lexus .. cant tell if that was corp or not.)

1. Service writer.
2. Service dept manager
3. Sales person ... line him up as you will be going to the dealership manager
4. You guessed it ... delaership manager.
5. Corp customer relations.

At each step ask where to go if you dont like the answer. Each next step will take a day or two to check with the previous.

Also visit your states consumer division and BBB sites to gather advice. As you stated, once out of warranty, you may expect Lexus to act compassionately but they are not bound to do so.

I still think the number of transmission-failures/number-of-RX sold is a very small proportion. It would be great if some one can gather this information and then you can approach Lexus or the media.

Salim

 

Update on Mine: I got mine back for a day. It wasn't fixed. They had put in a new transmission (so they say) . I took it back the next day and after another week, they said that the NEW transmission was defective so they had to order and put in a second "new" transmission. I just got it back again yesterday and I'm taking it back again on Monday! It sounds horrible and rides horrible. It doesn't shift into gear as your driving; it sounds like there is a gerbile in the radio, a constant rolling and now, miraculously, there is a hole in my muffler and it sounds like I should be on the drag strip. It wasn't there BEFORE I took it in. (Oh, and it needs new brakes, immediately. THAT I can handle, even though the SQUEEK, wasn't there either, but , hey, I'll give them that one. That is possible). But who would have thought you would go through this with LEXUS???? Not me. I'm so dissapointed that I would NEVER recommend dealing with them ever again. I loved my car, it drove like a dream before the transmission failed and now it's like a junkyard dog and I don't know if it's going to fail again. I don't know what I can do at this point except to take it back again and make them DRIVE it. I couldn't believe they gave it back to me in the condition that it is in! I'm definitely not a happy camper! I will be contacting customer care on Monday. MAYBE they can help.

 

I work at Lexus.....I know how the Trans story goes....Call Coorporate and dont stop until you get it for free.....and you will if you talk enough.....I guarantee it!!!!! Seen it COUNTLESS times....

 

See my comments under Acura vs. Lexus. My transmission just went at 70k but had it into the dealer at 68k with similar problems to yours. The dx was struts but it was probably the tranny.

 

Change "Lexus" to any other nameplate and the story is the same.

Forum reports are hearsay. Lots of people don't frequent forums. Most people who do, do not write "hey just wanted to report that my transmission is AOK."

Transmissions are one of the most complicated and trouble-prone components of any vehicle. The only way to avoid this is to buy a manual transmission, which you can't get on a Lexus (edit: not on an RX300 anyway). Much simpler, proven technology, no electronics, just replace the clutch when it gives out, like you replace brake pads.

Unfortunately, it's a fact of life that transmissions fail every now and then. Keep pushing for them to cover it. Meanwhile, call independent transmission shops to find out what they would charge to replace your transmission. I bet it's less. They just do transmissions, so they'll know what they're doing.

 

Oh man are you in for a surprise if thats what you think

 

Thanks for the advice. Now here's some advice from me: Don't assume that someone is an idiot just because you disagree with him.

I have found County Transmissions, in Vienna, VA, to be a reputable and reliable transmission shop. I have done business with them for the last 20 years. I go to them whenever I need transmission service out of warranty. They connect the computer, and go with me on a test drive (no appointment necessary) so they can experience the issue I am bringing to them. Even if I decide not to do anything, they don't charge me a penny for the "external diagnosis."

The first time I went to them, I thought I had a transmission problem. It turned out I had a leaking oil pressure switch. Totally unrelated to the transmission. They put the car on a lift to find this, and showed it to me while it was up there. They charged me nothing. Another time, I brought my Plymouth Grand Voyager to them. They discovered that the Transmission Control module was programmed for the wrong tire size. They fixed the setting, again at no charge. As a result of this excellent service, when my transmission was leaking, I did not think twice about bringing it to them for a seal job. The complete seal job cost me less than $1,000. At the time, they gave me the option to overhaul the transmission for $400 more. I declined.

The transmission lasted about 40,000 miles further before I sold it. County Transmissions thought it might need a new torque converter (which it would have received if I had said yes to the overhaul), but I did not want to put $100 into it to find out. If I had had the overhaul, I would probably still be driving it today, but it was my call.

I am not talking about taking it to any old transmission shop that you don't know. Like any shop, you should find a shop you trust, and stick with them. It is hard to find a good transmission shop, but if you do, stick with them, and yes, don't rely on the dealer, unless you like paying a couple thousand more for a job that is merely average at best. They will gladly replace your transmission, they just might not do as much diagnostic work. It's the diagnosis that saves you money.

I would be interested in what kinds of surprises you are talking about. I am sorry for you if you believe there is no such thing as a transmission shop that does good work. Lexus will gladly take your money.

 

Our indivdual experince makes us feel that what we experince is a universal fact. As an example I had good experince with 3 Lexus vehicles and local Lexus dealership so I feel Lexus vehicles and company are great. Irobi feels Acura is better than a yellow RX. mmahamm feels Country transmission in VA is a great place to have the transmission fixed. minty99z has altogether different view point.

I always felt the forum is a place to exchange ideas and not necessarily convince the other is "wrong" and I am "right" ... surely each is right and each is wrong. For example transmission on my RX gave me no trouble but MrShoop ran into a problem right after the warranty lapsed.

Salim

 

Well said.

I made the suggestion that MrShoop might want to talk to an independent transmission shop, as an option. The last time I had my transmission serviced, I had it done at a dealer, because it was more convenient than going to Vienna, which is out of my way, and they do not provide a loaner car at the tranny shop.

It is wrong to make the assumption that all independent shops are incompetent. That is what turns me off about some dealers. They try to convince you that they are the only ones who know what they are doing. Frankly, that is an insult to my intelligence. My independent shop's owner owns an RX300. I think he knows the vehicle.

By the same token, I do not presume that all independent shops are better than a dealer for service. I have had good service from independents as well as from dealers.

To all service writers and mechanics out there: When you badmouth another shop, you are being unprofessional, and you are not doing anything to attract my business. Even if you know that a specific shop does shoddy work, keep it to yourself, because it is more likely to scare me away from your shop, than to make me avoid theirs.

 

I understand what you are all saying. My point was merely that a LOT of independent shops out there don't know what they are doing........A LOTTT.....some have very good techs and do know what they are doing. I am always very skeptical with independent shops if I dont know someone there as well...All techs have to start working somewhere right? Hell, I know that a lot of techs at lexus aren't that good as well and thats just the way the world works....My maing point was to get him to call Lexus Customer Service to Goodwill the Trans Completely and him not pay a dime...Why? Because I know they will do it if he complains.....and shows service records.....They want to keep him happy more than you know.....A new RX is over 40k....new......

 

Excellent points. Should definitely work hard to get Lexus to Goodwill it.

One thought on the independent was it would be good to have a truly independent opinion on what it would take to replace/repair, to be able to compare against the price he is being quoted, in the case he has to bite the bullet.

 

Forums may be hearsay but people write with passion and detail that is usually not made up. I belong to three lexus forums, all of them have extensive entries about the problems with transmissions with this vehicle, its not a random event. It goes without saying that i believe that people always have a right to differ with what they read here. It often brings new perspective. I dont own this vehicle, and im trusting that they did a better job with my 400h that has so many more new parts that could fail. At the risk of being not PC i have to say both mmahamm and salimshah sound like they are not giving enough validation to the overwhelming evidence out there that this transmission is without a doubt failing at a higher rate than normal.

 

You are right, my position is still that majority (not even overwhelming) RX transmission do not suffer from a problem. I would remind you, that my universe is centered around my experiences .

My rationale: Some one needs to define "normal rate of failure". Majority means 51% (rounding up).
Warranty: Buyers should expect things to go wrong past the warranty period. We are at the mercy/good-will of the manufacturer beyond that point.
People who subscribe to CL {I do not frequent other boards} are a tiny fraction of the RX customer base {Not a valid sample set}
People who write about problems in their vehicle in forum, skew the appearence in favor of fails. Nothing against new members but if you notice the problem reporters generally are new members. They are reaching out and looking for advice.
Very few people talk about the satisfaction level.


That said, I would concur with the following statement.
Among complaints voiced on CL RX forum, we genrally run into rattles, battery related, questions about engine oil gel and transmission.

Lastly:
I do feel for every one who runs into problems with their vehicle. These machines are a close 2nd/3rd most expensive things we purchase. We expect them to get to 6digits in miles before we are socked with 4digit $ repair bills.

If you look back at my advice to Mrshoop of 11/10 ... to collect failed-units/No_of_RX_sold and approach Lexus or media.

Share the number and I will be among the first to change my viewpoint.

Salim