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Comments
I first drained and filled my 99 twice at 47k (did the second d/f 200 miles apart), and it was the first time it had ever been done. The fluid was a darker red and was certainly not considered pristine. Since then, it has remained cherry red but granted I only have a little over 1k on it since, so I guess time will tell.
I also have an '05 330 with 30k on it and the fluid in that one is not perfect, but very close to cherry red...even though the 330's transmissions haven't experienced the hardships of the 1st generation, I am thinking maybe I do a couple of drain and fills on that one too.......sounds like cheap insurance for sure.
JBL
When I discovered, at only ~40,000 miles, the burned state of my ATF I immediately contacted Lexus corporate. They, in turn, told me to bring the subject up with my dealer. Lexus of Bellevue recommeded (opportunistically, just as one should fully expect) that the transaxle ATF be drained, flushed, and replenished every 15,000 miles.
So I again contacted Lexus corporate who confirmed, in writing, the dealer recommendations.
I understand that the recommedations have been modified to say that the ATF should be inspected at every oil change and only changed out if required unless the ATF has accrued over 30,000 miles of use.
Due to the adoption of DBW to delay the onset of rising engine torque during a re-acceleration event the RX330 and later models do not share the premature tranaxle failure issues.
Just the danger, HAZARDS, of having an engine that does not always respond, mostly unpredictable so, situationally, to throttle inputs.
Which is it, fwd or awd?
I just went to the main Lexus website and contacted them by phone- not the dealer- and spoke with customer service. I talked to them on three different occasions. I took notes about each conversation and had my "talking points" ready. I explained my frustrations and what my mechanic discovered, and how it was definitely a manufacturer issue. (see details posted from others on this forum). I tried to be as civil as possible, even though I was very upset. At first, they "denied" my request- but I asked the representative to speak with his supervisor- He did. I feel blessed that they paid anything. Good Luck !
Unfair characterization. If you have driven one you would know that the 330 responds just fine - never have I ever been in a situation that has ever been hazardous because of this so called hesitation that is spoken of. The only hazardous situation I have ever been in that car if at all, was brought on by me, and me only.
I have not yet found, do not know of, ANY "base" FWD vehicle, cross ways mounted engine, with rear drive capability "add-on" that should not be referred to as F/awd.
Of all these the Honda/Acura SH-AWD system comes closest to be a true AWD, even R/awd "situationally.
And just look around you for the various owner posts, numbering in the hundreds (thousands..??) easily, complaining of this very problem.
Until you've had the experience of having to deal, personally, with a long drawn out lawsuit as this might involve you shouldn't belittle those that chose an alternative path.
Ouch! How sad that you feel the need to pass such harsh judgment on a case you know so little about. Did you decide to file a class action? We all have to choose what is best for our own situation. One correction- Lexus did not make the repair- they made no profit.
Best of Luck to you- Cheers!
Thank you,
But they did, maybe no in the $ sense, but....
make their profit. Our family has owned seven Lexuses and will NEVER buy
another.
WENT down hill fast...!
Slowly recovering.
Transaxle change in the initial RX300 series was a BIG mistook.
Some minor transaxle fixes by '01, more adequate fixes (DBW) for the RX330, and firmware revisions for the RX350. Transaxle problem, re-acceleration downshift delay, still exists today but at least the new 2010 RX350 has a more functional F/awd system, not yet adequate, but...
What Lexus now needs is a relabelled Venza (RX225..??) F/awd, with the I4 upgraded to DFI.
Maybe even an RX250h using the new F/awd system, the new I4 with DFI and the Otto/Atkinson multimode engine technique.
My recent failed transmission on my RX300 at 90K alerted me to this issue. As I researched, I have found thousands of unhappy customers all in the same "premature transmission failure" boat. Once I realized it was a known design flaw on the part of Lexus, one for which they have refused to issue a Technical Service Bulletin or recall for, I was SHOCKED. First acceleration issues, now this. BTW there was a RAV-4 class action lawsuit for the same issue. Judging by how Lexus is handling my issue, my name will be at the top of one for RX owners.
Also, since Tustin Lexus neglected to even check my transmission fluid at 60K miles, which my own mechanic found BLACK at 74K when I had him change the breaks (causing me to lose faith in Tustin Lexus--it is a 60K mile item) I am also going to file a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive Repair. At the least I paid for service I did not get. Worse, by this time, Lexus well knew they had transmission issues with this vehicle (mine is just low miles for age) and should have been extra cautious with my transmission.
I escalated this through Customer Service at Lexus. I was given to someone named Paula in Torrance. When she listened to my story she said "wow" and they could only offer me 25% off a new transmission, reducing the total to $3,300. Some people may be happy with that, but I was outraged they would expect me to pay for their known design flaw. I asked to speak to her boss, which she on 7/8 promised me he (Terry Purlich) would call by the following Monday 7/12, and to this date Lexus has stonewalled & no call back. Don't LIE on top of everything else. She flat out said they were more than happy to let me pay for my repair somewhere else. Yeah, I bet they are. Another call on 7/13 informing Paula of her bosses failure to keep her promise has gone unanswered.
I see from other people even showing up in person doesn't help. My car still sits at Tustin Lexus (been there for 2 months.) Thankfully I have a Silverado to drive which ironically has more miles than my Lexus, and I have spent less in repairs on. NOT what I thought would be the case (it's a towing vehicle, I have been pro Toyota/Lexus for 30 years now.)
So, you are right. Both their quality and customer service have gone down hill. My only choice now appears to be a media campaign & to start the class action process. Anyone want to join me?? Unless they are forced to do business differently, it appears (just like BP) they are not going to.
Passionate Pursuit of Perfection.
Let's keep the discussion here so everyone can benefit. We ask that you not include email addresses in posted messages. Thanks!
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
After posting on the Facebook Lexus forum today, someone from the Excutive office at Lexus finally called me back. So, we'll see what they will actually do. It remains to be seen, especially because they didn't do the dealer service right.
I'll keep my posts here. I will probably create an informational site for this regardless so people can get to this & other forums like this discussing the issue. On the Facebook page, it is interesting other people knew the RX series has transmission issues (and honestly while it may have changed this still doesn't sound resolved...craziness.)
Pam
Actually the dealer did do the service right, by the book.
According to the owners manual and the dealer information available at the time of purchase my '01 F/awd RX300 did not require transaxle, ATF, service for the life of the vehicle.
Apparently that changed after the fact, first to every 15,000 miles and then to "check the ATF condition" at each engine oil change period. All of these latter changes done on the "QT" so as not to alert the RX300 owners that the vehicle had a problem.
Not surprising that some dealers didn't get the message.
If their is a class action law suit, count me in.
They are defrauding everyone. I say take them to small claims court and make them pay for their poor quality control. After driving 50 years this is the first transmission I ever had fail!
I will never buy Lexus again.
I might be interested.
I would be happy to join the class action. Let me know when and how.
G
Has anyone ever heard of this?
"...told me that the transmission fluid had recently been replaced and the new fluid had damaged the transmission."
What a line of BS. New fluid (as long as it's the correct type IV) does not damage the transmission. At 126,000 miles perhaps wear and/or lack of previous transmission maintenance (again using Type IV fluid) and heat had a negative effect on the transmission.
Was it done at Firestone? I don't trust transmission "flush" and I'd have my service done by a qualified, trusted mechanic who specializes in Asian transmissions, not a Firestone dealer.
It may be time to start shopping for a mechanic who specializes in transmissions for Asian cars, or maybe a Lexus or Toyota dealer. You may need a replacement of an updated design since some of the original transmissions may not wear too well, especially without common-sense transmission maintenance in addition to what Lexus recommended in their owners manual. Some other owners report trouble with third-party rebuilt units. My theory (opinion, not fact) is that some third-party units may have been rebuilt without all the current updates.
Good Luck!