I've got a 2002 Lexus RX300, with 202,000 miles. I took it in for a regular oil change at a new place down the street. They supposedly refilled the oil; and topped off the transmission fluid. After about 5 miles something wasn't right. The engine would get higher into the revs and the gear changes were sharp. I thought maybe they had screwed something up and would take it in the next day. However, the next day when I went to take the car, it started noisily so I drove it around the block and then restarted in my driveway. Suddenly it was running much smoother; for about two miles. Then at a stop sign when I went to accelerate, no gear would engage. Forward or backward, the engine would rev but wouldn't move. I've gotten opinions ranging from a new transmission to just a fluid flush.

Possibly important thing to note; when the car has been idle the transmission works fine for a few minutes and then won't reengage any gears. It does work for a few miles; but then it just dies.

Help?

 

I would immediately contact the people who worked on the car and let then know what is going on.
Did you check the fluid level on the dipstick?

 

The symptoms you describe are similar to what I experienced in mine on the day my transmission died.

 

JAB, how was your transmission operating before it died? Were there any hints that it was about to go out, or did it just die out of the blue? I've been paranoid about my tranny forever now, but it's still humming along just fine.