edbro

99 RX300 FWD with 96,000 miles. I babied this transmission after reading all the horror stories and I meticulously maintained it. Fluid and filter changed regularly, last time using Amsoil synthetic.

The tranny started to shudder and buck when shifting gears. Towards the end, the rpm would sometimes shoot up during the shift.

The first estimate the dealer gave me was $5,000 for parts and labor. Luckily, because I've read enough here on this forum, I knew that it should only cost around $4,000. So, I told them that was out of line and the service rep said "let me go recheck with the parts manager". Three minutes later he came out and said I was correct, his first estimate included a "head unit", which I didn't need replaced. New estimate is for $3,800 and another $126 for a rear seal they said was bad. So, while I'm out 4 grand, this forum saved me from being ripped off by the dealer for another grand. Thanks!

lexus114

Oh man,sorry to hear that ed. Just curious,did you get any estimates from indipendent transmission shop`s? 96,000 miles huh? oh boy,I`m @ 98,700 miles.

salimshah

Sorry to hear another transmission is shot.

How aggressive were you in changing fluid? Drain & fill, or flush? How often you replaced the filter?

Statistically we have another failure, which shows transmission fluid replacement made no difference even going synthetic.

Salim

Note: Please do not read my note as proof positive that frequent fluid change is harmful.

thomas1

I too am interested in how often you changed fluid and by what means....

edbro

I did take it to an independent transmission shop first. He said he thought it was the computer sending wrong signals to the solenoids. That is what his scanner showed. He also said he pressure checked the tranny and it was good. I don't know what that means, if anything. He said I either needed a new computer or have the old one reflashed. But, he didn't have that capability. So, after wasting $150 on that diagnosis I took it to the dealer who said the tranny was trashed. I mentioned the computer signal diagnosis and they said they checked that out and the tranny was getting the proper signals. He said the clutches were burning up inside. So, maybe I'm getting sold a $4K tranny that I don't need, but I'm at the mercy of the dealer now.

I got the vehicle 2 years ago from my father. At that time it had 83K miles on it. I saw the service record and he had the fluid changed twice I believe. Not sure if it was flushed or drain/filled. As soon as I got it I dropped the pan, changed the filter and did 2 more drain and fills after that. Then, when this problem first started, I changed the filter again and refilled with Amsoil. I never got a chance to do the follow up drain and fills. One thing of note is that I didn't see any metal filings on the magnets.

lexus114

"One thing of note is that I didn't see any metal filings on the magnets." Now that disturbs me,I wonder if your indipendent shop was on the right track.I have just learned of this rumor,on the web recently.A computer reflash is supposed to clear it up.

edbro

He very well could be right. But, like I said earlier, I'm at the mercy of the dealer now. I've got a vehicle that I can't drive and they are the only ones that can fix it.

I've thought about it and I believe that if it is the computer then we will see when the new tranny is installed. If I'm right back where I started then I will be upset and the dealer will have some 'splaining to do. I'm not sure what my recourses will be then. Can I return an entire transmission I don't need? I'm not keen on spending another $1,000 dollars on a new computer after $4K on a new tranny (that might still be good).

blueridge

I'm wondering if Lexus is just quick to pull the trigger on a tranny replacement knowing the history. Also given the nature of economy, they are looking for work!

lexus114

That could very well be.Also if they did a trans. replacement,AND a reflash (which is probably what they have to do any way) we would never know.Or they might be thinking that once the trans acts up,a replacement is a more sure way of no more problems.I just don`t understand all of the secrecy about it.It`s like,yeah,we know,but were not gonna let the cat out of the bag scenario.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

If the dealer installs a $4000 transmision that doesn't cure the problem, they should do any additional repairs to fix it for free!

habeeb89

iTrader: (3)

FWD, isn't that a bit rare, from what I can tell over the years it's usually been the AWD's tranny that usually took a dump.

lexus114

yeah,it is alot more rare for the FWD trans.to go bad. The AWD was basically the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak,on the already over strained trans. But,as the early RX`s get older,we will see more.

edbro

Well, they put the new transmission in the other day but they are having major problems with it. The first guy that called me said they couldn't get it to shift. The service rep that called today said it was shifting very roughly. They ordered another replacement tranny and they will install that one tomorrow.

I'm in no big hurry. They've got my 99 RX and I'm driving their new 09 IS and loving it.

lexus114

It `s gonna spoil you ed.

edbro

Update to my saga:
The day my RX was supposed to be ready I get a call from the dealer saying that the rebuilt tranny they installed would not shift properly. So, they ordered another and installed it a couple of days later. I picked it up and it drove fine. The next day the tranny started to buck again during the shifts, just like my original complaint. So, I take it back again and let them know just how upset I was.

Today I call them and they said they have tried everything and they think this second rebuilt is also bad. They said they investigated every possibility and even put in another ECU for testing. So, now they are ordering yet another tranny. But, before they take this one out, they are bringing in 2 specialists; one Training Supervisor out of GA, and some other bigwig out of CA. They want to know just what is wrong with these rebuilts.

In a few days, my RX will have had 4 different transmissions installed, counting the original. Do I get some kind of prize for having the most different trannys installed while still under 100K?