Yep, that sounds like a record. You're making me wonder if I should just dump my RX300 before it's transmission fails (?) But Consumer Reports hasn't identified anything unusual with the RX300 transmission (indeed it rates it as "better than average" as of 2008).

Whatcha gonna do?

 

First of all, ignore CR. They also rated Behr paint #1. Did you ever try to use that stuff?

 

I'm also not a believer in Consumer Reports, but I've used Behr paints (the standard custom-mix brand at Home Depot) and they seemed fine to me. What do you find wrong with Behr paints?

 

Well I believe you difinetely have the most trannies, I am not surprised, I am on my third because the first replacement was defective. By the way I called Lexus of AMerica and was given a thumbs down on any assistance for my replacement. They said it was because of my customer loyalty. That means you have to have all service done at the stealership. Even if you buy all parts there (in my case exactly what I did). I had shown 16 pages of documentation proving my use of the dealership for service and all parts. As for the false documentation of maintenanc schedule they would not respond and the use of inferior parts that were upgraded (planetary gears in aluminum carrier) they said we always make changes, but dont necessarilly pass them on to former customers. I asked if getting my transmission done at Lexus versus an independent was customer loyalty, and she refused to comment. It could have saved me at least $1500 over what I paid.... So the saga goes on...By the way continue making your complaints with the NHTSA board and if you want to write the boss of Lexus of AMerica here is the address: 19001 South Western ave Torrance, CA 90501 Attention AL SMITH

 

Not so. 1999 and 2000 at one time had the highest rating (red circle). They have slowly declined over the years to second to lowest rating (1/2 black circle). 2001 has declined from highest rating to avearge. I suspect 02 and 03 will follow when the next survey comes out but of course that's just speculation until the data is released.

 

Oh, no - the last time I looked was about a year ago - sounds like reliability has tanked since then! My RX300 (in the present economic climate) is worth about the cost of a new transmission..................

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sorry to hear of your experience. Glad that you were able to shave $1K from the shop.

After you get the tranny repaired, I suggest that you stick with Toyota Type IV ATF. I personally do one drain-n-fill every 10K now since I drive in the mountains daily and tow a few times in the summer. Have almost 140K miles on my 2002 and it runs just fine.

The C/R owner survey shows that the RX300 has all around superb reliability, including the tranny. People are free to accept or ignore the survey results.

 

At 161,000 miles the transmission died . Early symptoms included slow to go into reverse and hard shifting into first gear especially when the engine was cold. Trying to avoid the inevitable, I had the dealer drop the pan, change out the filter and fluid and hoped for the best. This forum has been very helpful. I was able to predict the ultimate diagnosis from reading about the design flaw of aluminum and 4 planetary gears vice steel and 6 in replacements. I decided to have it rebuilt at a cost of about $3000. Should be able to pick it up in a day or two.

 

I feel your pain, please file a complaint with the NHTSA board, and give Lexus of America a little pain. The count keeps rising....

 

what shop did you take it too? btw,if that trans. lasted that long,you had a good one.
Ryan

 

Yes but the CR survey data indicates otherwise. The "transmission major" catagory has black marks for 1999 and 2000. And 2001 is just average. Years ago all 3 were rated at the highest (red circle).

 

I think CR rates cars too quickly when it comes to things like this.That only time in the real world will eventually tell.

 

mikey00 hey I subscribe to consumers, I agree with you but are you getting data from online? My old car issues dont show what you have, however the history drops after about 5 or 6 years. I do not subscribe to the online reports.....

 

I have both hard copy and online. Hard copy just shows 6 years worth of data. I just checked Anual Auto Issue hard copy 2003 to 2009 and you can see the earlier years drop from much better than average to better than average but thats about it. Online data shows back through 1999. That's were things really start to go south for 1999-2001. It will be interesting next year to see if 2002 follows the trend. I suspect it will until 04 when the 330 came out.

 

thanks, so the online gives historical date that doesnt show up in hard print....