2000 Rx300- Another Transmission Bites The Dust

[wwest]

Hmm... interesting, and it all sounds very plausible. It seems strange though that it took them that long to find issues with the transmission, for the RX300 had already been out in the form of the AWD Toyota Harrier since 1997. You'd think it would have shown up in the two years prior to U.S. release. Hmm, it also doesn't explain how in the same time frame Toyota knew how to make a transverse 3.0L engine mated to a transaxle that was reliable in a vehicle that was several hundred pounds heavier than the RX300 (namely the Sienna) without any major problems. It also seems strange they would choose the Camry engine and drivetrain to start with, and not the Sienna, something using the same engine and that was originally designed for a heavier/larger vehicle... especially considering the RX300 was going to be touted as an "SUV" type vehicle. Maybe the transmission failures are partially due to the fact that the RX300 engine is 20hp stronger with more torque than any of the others, and that's enough to affect reliablity? We all know the inverse relationship of power and reliablity.

I guess we could ponder all day about how/why Toytota chose the path they did, but it still ends in the same result of unreliablity. Although, other than the transmission failures, I have to say my RX is one of the nicest, most solid all-around daily-driver vehicles I've ever driven... once I get the new tranny in, it should be good for many miles to come.

"..we could ponder all day about how/why..."

Not necessary.

Ask yourself why the RX400h was designed for performance, as in 0-60MPH times, vs FE..??

Too many "boy-racers" in the US market.

Our government should outlaw advertising that uses acceleration rate, 0-60MPH times, as a marketing point.

[blk_on_blk]

"Our government should outlaw advertising that uses acceleration rate, 0-60MPH times, as a marketing point"

...I fully agree on that! It's like a Mustang commercial I saw the other night... shows the guy powersliding a 'stang in front of the cops on a public road, jumping it, and more. Of course, they finally come to say it's just a dream, but the concept, imagery, and sales pitch is still there of 'what to do with a Mustang'. Hmm, come to think of it, I think I've seen a recent Mercedes-Benz commerical with someone powersliding one of their cars, and a BMW commercial showing an M3 roasting the tires doing a 'U' turn. Ahh, I guess that's just advertising, with their constant "look at how powerful the car is, it can do this and it can do that, and this is really cool, wild, and fun.... but of course you know you can't ever do it because it's not legal... we'll just promote that you can and send you on your way."

[LexusMBF]

I tried to clean the speed sensor and did a swap.

I tested both sensors following the procedure described by lenore.

But it didn't give any improvement.

The grinding sound is still noticeable (loud), especially when the engine is still cold.

It sounds softer when it reach operating temp.

I guess the problem is inside the tranny, not the sensor.

So probably I'll decide just to rebuild it. (For peace of mind)

Thanks for your help

Did you drain the fluid, drop the pan and clean it? Although we changed the speed sensors, the drain and fill (dropping the pan to clean) was what got rid fo the noise. The speed sensors gave us smoother shifting. I think the hesitation is gone between 2nd and 3rd also. But if you havent already, do the drain and fill before a rebuild!

No I didn't. I talked to the previous owner, and it seems he did it although he wouldn't admit it directly.

Anyway he agreed to share the cost with me.

Dropping the pan and draining will cost more money, and the result is still questionable. I still have to rebuild it sooner or later.

I don't want to spend more money than what obviously needed now or later for rebuilding the tranny.

The shifting on mine is still okay other than a hesitation when shifting from reverse to drive. Especially in the morning when the engine is still cold. But I know it would failed anytime. It happened to my Camry, once I feel something wrong, it stopped the next day. So for peace of mine I will rebuild it.

[blk_on_blk]

I had the same dilema, "how far can I go with the transmission the way it is before it fails?" Being in the same mindset that I don't want to spend more money than I have to, and knowing that I drive my vehicle every day, I came to the conclusion that it's going to cost me a lot more money if the tranny fails somewhere leaving me stranded (or heaven-forbid it fails in a dangerous situation leaving me at risk). Then I need to get a tow-truck, scramble to rework my schedule, get a rental car on short notice, and figure out what I needed to do to get my vehicle back on the road.

Instead I took it in at the first sign of real 'problems' (like hesitation or lurching). I scheduled my shop for the repair, they set up a free loaner car for me (even though it's a bomber of a ride), I spec'd out how much the repair was going to be, and I brought it in before anything broke. This way I won't be out any money, trouble, hassle, stress, or frustration other than just the repair (which is enough).

...just my 2-cents.

[Jeff92se]

Don't know where to post this but I've searched a few big threads.

My wife's 2000 RX300 w/ LSD in the rear is at Michael's Toyota off of 148th as we speak. We had the fluid changed last year there. They didn't say anything about the fluid condition then.

Sunday. Wife said she couldn't move very fast. She was reving but it wouldn't move over about 20mph. She stopped. Turned the car off/on. It would move for another block and then stop. I could hear a faint whine when the car actuall moved. Whine would stop then car wouldn't move.

Fluid wasn't dark but smelled a bit burnt. but I THINK it's because we tried to limp it home. It showed a code but I didn't have time to hook up my Autoenginity obdII to it to check. I've read everything from speed sensors, cleaning the filter, solenoids to a full tranny rebuild. I just don't know what to expect from the dealer and don't know how to respond if they just say "tranny = toast" therefore "new/rebuilt tranny = 15 million dollars!"

Since the threads I've read are back in 06', can someone chime in on what the latest and greatest solutions are? Ie.. I read about a $1700 solution but I can't find that thread.

Any help is appreciated. I fearing the worst here!

wwest. I see you are from the NW also. I hope I chose the right route by having it towed to the Toyota dealer vs the Lexus dealer?

[Jeff92se]

Got the quote: Clutches fried needs new tranny and TC $4,400 and that's with a rebuilt unit from Lexus.

How does he know the clutches are fried if he didn't take the unit apart? I doubt he had the time to do that.

[blk_on_blk]

No matter what actually failed, that kind of failure you describe is enough to be the end of the tranny. When I lost mine, I went with a remanufactured one from a quality builder: $2500 for the unit + labor at a good shop to install. I heard install on these isn't that hard.

[wwest]

Don't know where to post this but I've searched a few big threads.

My wife's 2000 RX300 w/ LSD in the rear is at Michael's Toyota off of 148th as we speak. We had the fluid changed last year there. They didn't say anything about the fluid condition then.

Sunday. Wife said she couldn't move very fast. She was reving but it wouldn't move over about 20mph. She stopped. Turned the car off/on. It would move for another block and then stop. I could hear a faint whine when the car actuall moved. Whine would stop then car wouldn't move.

Fluid wasn't dark but smelled a bit burnt. but I THINK it's because we tried to limp it home. It showed a code but I didn't have time to hook up my Autoenginity obdII to it to check. I've read everything from speed sensors, cleaning the filter, solenoids to a full tranny rebuild. I just don't know what to expect from the dealer and don't know how to respond if they just say "tranny = toast" therefore "new/rebuilt tranny = 15 million dollars!"

Since the threads I've read are back in 06', can someone chime in on what the latest and greatest solutions are? Ie.. I read about a $1700 solution but I can't find that thread.

Any help is appreciated. I fearing the worst here!

wwest. I see you are from the NW also. I hope I chose the right route by having it towed to the Toyota dealer vs the Lexus dealer?

Check with Lexus, they, the "factory" are often compensating for premature trnasaxle failures for the 99 and 00 Rx300.

[Jeff92se]

I called Lexus of Bellevue and the service guy never heard of any compensation program of any kind. Or any extended warranty except for the engine sludge problem.

Can you point to a post or example that this happened? I'm getting the work done at toyota for cheaper than lexus. There might be a chance at reinbursement if I can get some type of proof of this program.

Any help would be appreciated!

[lenore]

You need to call Lexus of America, get them involved, if you had all service done at Toyota, then you might have a chance of assistance, since it is the mother company. Ask them for a goodwill assistance on the cost. They will wont proof of the service. Good luck..

[wwest]

I called Lexus of Bellevue and the service guy never heard of any compensation program of any kind. Or any extended warranty except for the engine sludge problem.

Can you point to a post or example that this happened? I'm getting the work done at toyota for cheaper than lexus. There might be a chance at reinbursement if I can get some type of proof of this program.

Any help would be appreciated!

Put it in writing, email, making it less likely of a denial.

Can't remember his name at the moment, Jon maybe, but cc to the technology specialist.

[blk_on_blk]

The only compensation I've heard of is with people who have extensive maintenance records with Lexus and a dealership... the documentation carries weight. If you come in without Lexus dealer maintenance history, it's probably an uphill battle to fight.

[Jeff92se]

Called Lexus. Initially he thought I was talking about the sludge problem. But after he talked to the Toy dealer, he said there was no such program for the trannies. BUT he said he would still try to do something for us in terms of compensation (full, partial etc). He talked to the service guy at the Toy dealer and got my name, number, vin etc.. I had the tranny service done at Lexus and more at Toy at 75k. I'm at 100k now. So at least I can show I've not neglected the tranny as far as fluid changes.

I hope they can do something. At least they didn't shrug me off and say "we can't help you".

Hell it's worth a try right? Final tally = $4,718.16. Includes a labor discount of some sort and a rear engine main seal replacement.

Wish me luck.

[lenore]

Good luck, you have a good case with the maintenance all being done with Mother Toyota....Hope They at least give you half price on the tranny...Labor is around $1700 normally so that is still a healthy amount..

[Jeff92se]

The only compensation I've heard of is with people who have extensive maintenance records with Lexus and a dealership... the documentation carries weight. If you come in without Lexus dealer maintenance history, it's probably an uphill battle to fight.

You're right. Lexus called today. Basically, they said since I didn't get all my service done at Lexus, they are denying my "good will" claim. I tried to assure them that the car was indeed serviced properly but he said that didn't matter. The fact that I did't have Lexus do the serive was the main reason. Sucks but at least they did call back and at least they did consider it.

IMHO, I probably wouldn't have got reimbursed 100% anyway. Maybe 1/2. And considering I would have had to have all service done plus the repair done at Lexus, I don't think it would have saved me that much anyway. Lexus wanted more like $5700 for the repair.

They will send me a $400 service coupon to use for whatever future service I might have done at Lexus. That might cover 2 oil changes. LOL

[blk_on_blk]

I pretty much went through the same thing. The owner of the shop I take my Lexus's to (who will really work with a person if there is any kind of coverage they can get through a warranty or the manufacture) looked at the vehicle's age, the miles, and the fact that not every maintenance was done through the dealership (the previous owner religiously took it to the dealer, but I don't/won't) and said, "uh, yeah, you're on your own for this repair". I covered my entire repair, which ended up at a nice round $4K (but they also changed out the rear main seal (like you had done) and thermostat while they were accessible... plus the dog-bone engine mount). The vehicle drives better than ever now... plus I got a 3-year/36K-mile warranty on the new tranny. Are you getting a warranty on your new transmission?

[Jeff92se]

I would assume so(warranty). I'll have to look at the paperwork.

[lenore]

Lexus only gave me a 12month 12k miles warranty....Just info for everyone...

[wwest]

The only compensation I've heard of is with people who have extensive maintenance records with Lexus and a dealership... the documentation carries weight. If you come in without Lexus dealer maintenance history, it's probably an uphill battle to fight.

You're right. Lexus called today.

The dealer, or Lexus...??

Basically, they said since I didn't get all my service done at Lexus, they are denying my "good will" claim. I tried to assure them that the car was indeed serviced properly but he said that didn't matter. The fact that I did't have Lexus do the serive was the main reason. Sucks but at least they did call back and at least they did consider it.

IMHO, I probably wouldn't have got reimbursed 100% anyway. Maybe 1/2. And considering I would have had to have all service done plus the repair done at Lexus, I don't think it would have saved me that much anyway. Lexus wanted more like $5700 for the repair.

They will send me a $400 service coupon to use for whatever future service I might have done at Lexus. That might cover 2 oil changes. LOL

If not Lexus then you should contact them and plead your case.

Customer_satisfaction_inquiries@lexus.com

I think that's the correct email.

[Jeff92se]

Lexus. Dealer had no idea. I called Lexus corp in Ca.

[LexusMBF]

An update to my posting before.

I have done mine. It was done by an independent transmission shop for no more than $2K

I don't know what he did, but he told me he replaced all bad parts with new parts, and replace the torque converter too.

But it's good now. No more sign of hesitation and lurching. The noise were gone too.

At first I was hesitated to let him do the job,

but knowing he has done tranny for the company I worked for, (we have a fleet of delivery van and other cars of more than 100 cars)

for more than 2 years and have given excellent service so far.

So I try. And I'm not disappointed. He gave 1 year/12K warranty and a free tranny oil change after 3000 miles.

Thanks goodness I don't have to pay the Lexus price.

[lenore]

An update to my posting before.

I have done mine. It was done by an independent transmission shop for no more than $2K

I don't know what he did, but he told me he replaced all bad parts with new parts, and replace the torque converter too.

But it's good now. No more sign of hesitation and lurching. The noise were gone too.

At first I was hesitated to let him do the job,

but knowing he has done tranny for the company I worked for, (we have a fleet of delivery van and other cars of more than 100 cars)

for more than 2 years and have given excellent service so far.

So I try. And I'm not disappointed. He gave 1 year/12K warranty and a free tranny oil change after 3000 miles.

Thanks goodness I don't have to pay the Lexus price.

That is good, make sure you have the tranny fluid changed every 15k miles from now on, Good luck

[gasser]

An update to my posting before.

I have done mine. It was done by an independent transmission shop for no more than $2K

I don't know what he did, but he told me he replaced all bad parts with new parts, and replace the torque converter too.

But it's good now. No more sign of hesitation and lurching. The noise were gone too.

At first I was hesitated to let him do the job,

but knowing he has done tranny for the company I worked for, (we have a fleet of delivery van and other cars of more than 100 cars)

for more than 2 years and have given excellent service so far.

So I try. And I'm not disappointed. He gave 1 year/12K warranty and a free tranny oil change after 3000 miles.

Thanks goodness I don't have to pay the Lexus price.

That is good, make sure you have the tranny fluid changed every 15k miles from now on, Good luck