uvmshoob

I bought a 2019 RX 350L in May, and was stranded 3 weeks ago (at 5k miles) about 140 miles from my house in a remote (no car rental places) area late on a Sunday night (with no warnings or prior symptoms the car began bucking on the highway. I was able to get off the highway and to a gas station, thankfully).

My dealer paid to have my car flat bedded back to their facility, and the next morning the dealer said they'd updated "the software," performed the 5k service and it was fixed.

My wife went to pick it up, and as soon as she drove off the lot the same issue began again. She barely made it back to the dealer.

They gave her a loaner, and this time the diagnosis was the transmission.

It took 10 business days (we had a loaner the entire time), but they replaced the transmission (brand new) and did the software update again. They put 100 miles on the car, so it was clear they tested it out.

We've had the car back for about 24 hours and so far all is well.

The MA lemon law kicks in after 3 visits or 15 days of service for the same issue in the first year after purchase.

Given Lexus' reputation, the way they've handled this situation (the dealer has been very good with the exception of sending my wife back on the road in a broken car) and the reliability of the RX specifically I'm not too worried this issue will come back. A quick scan of this forum revealed only 2 other transmission replacements, so I'm guessing it's an aberration and not a model specific problem. I thought I'd post to let other owners know about my experience. Any advice in terms of dealing with the dealer and/or Lexus would be appreciated.

Erik

Cocal

As aggravating as any breakdown is, we're dealing with mechanicals and sometime things do break very early. The dealer/Lexus handled the problem as it should, IMO You probably won't have any tranny problems

DMPesso

Everyone should keep in mind the transmission in the 2016+ RX is supposedly Aisin’s “first” 8 speed transmission. There of course will be a handful of failures and even then I’m sure this was caused by the transmission fluid not being filled from the factory, or some other defect. I’m curious to see how these transmissions hold up approaching 100k. Definitely something you wouldn’t expect from a Lexus at 5k miles, really disappointing.

did they apply the “new bucking TSB 0032-19 or the old one?

uvmshoob

For the service when it came in on the flatbed they did the software update 800269. There's no mention of a TSB on my dealer forms.

The 2nd service for the issue the form states the transmission fluid level is "fine" but that the fluid is "burnt."

That's when they were told (by Lexus I guess) to replace the transmission...which cleared all codes and so far has the car operating normally.

Cocal

Did they give you any inklings as to what could have caused the ATF to be burned?

xxx350L

Most likely burnt do to slippage. Mine’s going in again soon for the hesitation issues AND possible transmission slippage. While driving at 60 mph, and attempting to pass a slower vehicle, after a long 4 second delay, passing gear will engage but not without jerking and revving to 5,000 to 5,500 rpm. While at the higher rpm, the road speed is not matching the rev’s....feels slow to pick up speed, and the engine is screaming away. I call that slippage, and that creates heat and heat burns fluid and destroys transmissions. Mine is a 2019 RX350L with only 3,800 miles. Build date is 11/18.

uvmshoob

Only in the sense that they said the transmission was defective (obvious I know), but not specifically what the issue was.

rkobernik

I have a 2019 RX-350L and have been having warning light issues which self clear within a day or so and am curious as which warnings that you got. Lexus tells me to take it to the dealer again but there is none nearby, we plan to drive it home 700 miles and then drop it at the dealer.

uvmshoob

We never saw a single warning light. Not before and not during the two times the car wasn't drivable.

Emajinatio

I purchased a 2016 RX350 CPO in Feb 2019, in July 2019 my Transmission was replaced with a new one as well. I applied for Lemon law and was approved. I really like the car but the transmission issue was alarming

DMPesso

I can’t believe this. I wonder how common it really is. What were the symptoms and did you do any of the TSBS? This is crazy

Cocal

I don't think it's common at all, this is probably very rare, but we're dealing with things mechanical and even robot make mistakes.
Also who knows what the previous owner did to it!

coolsaber

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads...blems.1594810/

You mean these issues?

DMPesso

The tranny in the Highlander and sienna is different then what’s in the RX. Although very similar, the issues do seem to be with the 8 speed transmissions only.

coolsaber

Correct me if im wrong
17s+ Highlander have the same powertrain, in terms of engine (v6) and transmission (8 speed) as the current RX. Programming of course may differ, but the UA80E/F (FWD/AWD) should be similar to the current 8 speed.