1999rx300charlottenc

Have them give you a estimate only, and also include any concessions that they may give you. Though I recommend an independent tranny shop, if you dont have a back up car, the cost of a rental can exceed the savings by an independent. Be real careful on your decision as Lexus is expensive. There cost is generally $4300 to $5000 and an independent will be under $3000.... However if the independent has a poor track record and ties your car up for three weeks, then the cost of a rental will eat the savings. Good luck and dont forget to file a Complaint with the NHTS board online. The Data is important for causing a recall on these trannies that should have gone longer. You will need the vin # of your vehicle to do it online...

lenore and everyone else...... Thank you! This site has been great. My luck with Lexus, hasn't been as good. Rx300 was towed to the dealership on Thursday, they were wonderful about a loaner as they usually are here in Charlotte, NC. We received a call on Friday telling us that the tranny is shot and it will be $4025 out the door. I brought up the three TSB's (Technical Service Bullitens) and the hundreds of complaints about the tranny problem with this model. I was told they will see what they can do..... A few hours later I received a call back from our service tech, who informed us that they won't be able to help us with the cost of this issue but......... He gave me the number 1 800 25 LEXUS... I am calling them today, as last night was to late. He mentioned that they are only the dealer, where as Lexus would be the one to make a decision to assist or not. For anyone that I read who was lucky enough to have Lexus absorb the cost... How did you do it. I really would rather not spend $4000 on this issue if it is so common that there should be a recall. Thank you again to everyone on this website. I'll keep everyone informed.

Make loud, really LOUD, noises on the showroom floor.

Well, as the saga continues, I spoke with 1800 25 lexus (Customer Care) out of California yesterday. They almost sounded to understanding. They expressed deep apologies for any inconvenience they we are experiencing. Also stated that with our customer loyalty we shouldn't have a problem receiving assistance with our shot transmission. They were so nice I even began to question their sincerity......But, they still couldn't give me a definate answer. It would be two to three days for them to call us back after they look into it. I was told that there "is a problem with the transmission on the early model rx300"s, they are well aware of the TSB's and of this wonderful website that we all are communicating on. Customer care if decided that they are going to replace the tranny, they send to the dealership and the dealership does the install. My dealership quoted 8 hours to install the new tranny. I'm not telling them but I would even be willing to pay for the labor. We'll see what happens next. Is there anyone out there that has been at this point with Customer Care? Is there anything else I can use to persuade them that customer loyalty now a days is the most important when we've owned three Lexus. Thanks again! Good luck to all. Lenore, I filed my complaint with NHTSA. Thanks

Have them give you a estimate only, and also include any concessions that they may give you. Though I recommend an independent tranny shop, if you dont have a back up car, the cost of a rental can exceed the savings by an independent. Be real careful on your decision as Lexus is expensive. There cost is generally $4300 to $5000 and an independent will be under $3000.... However if the independent has a poor track record and ties your car up for three weeks, then the cost of a rental will eat the savings. Good luck and dont forget to file a Complaint with the NHTS board online. The Data is important for causing a recall on these trannies that should have gone longer. You will need the vin # of your vehicle to do it online...

lenore and everyone else...... Thank you! This site has been great. My luck with Lexus, hasn't been as good. Rx300 was towed to the dealership on Thursday, they were wonderful about a loaner as they usually are here in Charlotte, NC. We received a call on Friday telling us that the tranny is shot and it will be $4025 out the door. I brought up the three TSB's (Technical Service Bullitens) and the hundreds of complaints about the tranny problem with this model. I was told they will see what they can do..... A few hours later I received a call back from our service tech, who informed us that they won't be able to help us with the cost of this issue but......... He gave me the number 1 800 25 LEXUS... I am calling them today, as last night was to late. He mentioned that they are only the dealer, where as Lexus would be the one to make a decision to assist or not. For anyone that I read who was lucky enough to have Lexus absorb the cost... How did you do it. I really would rather not spend $4000 on this issue if it is so common that there should be a recall. Thank you again to everyone on this website. I'll keep everyone informed.

All you can do is call the dealership and ask, But since it is a 99 I suspect they would be more than happy to look at it but for heavens sake dont let them replace your transmission. ($4500) If they say the tranny is toast, take it to an independent, trusted tranny shop, you will save at least a $1000 . Good luck, hope it is just a dirty filter or bad solenoid...

I would take it to Lexus first and "beat" up on them a bit before going to a third party. Not denegrating third parties it's just that Lexus is VERY WELL acquainted with the premature transaxle problems of the '99 (possibly '00 too) RX300 and has been making concessions (monetary, labor, parts..) to owners, especually those with good maintainance records and more especially with those having had Lexus do all or at least some of the maintenance.

'99 RX300 transaxles are failing prematurely, under 100k miles typically, because of a FWD safety improvement firmware change made in the engine/transaxle ECU programming.

DBW was adopted with the RX330 as a temporary fix for the firmware "BUG" but that resulted in the 1-2 second acceleration delay.

To this date it is still unknown as to what the permanent fix will be.

Thankyou all for the input. I called Lexus, they had a loaner waiting for me today at 11:30, I got tied up at work and had to cancel. On the way home the whole transmission went out. Instead of shuddering between 2nd and 3rd, it revved real high and I had to limp it a quarter mile to the house. Guess its going to be towed into Lexus tomorrow. I'll let everyone know what happens. Thanks

Hello, Having problems with my 1999 rx 300. Transmission shudder between 2nd and 3rd gear. I have found two service bulletins but no active recalls. Has anyone received service based on the service bulletin?