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Comments
By the time the '01 went into production Toyota was well aware of the causative factor of the all-to-numerous '99 & '00 premature transaxle failures and made a few corrective actions. In my opinion one of those was to "beef-up" the ATF pump capacity which led to the ATF itself being overheated prematurely.
By '01 there was also a pretty RADICAL change made in the RX300's F/awd system. The mechanical rear LSD was dropped entirely and a newly designed (more FLACCID IMMHO) VC, Viscous Clutch/Coupling was used. VSC/TC also became standard and TC was then used to provide rear and center diff'l LSD virtuality, making the VC virtually useless so it was dropped entirely for all future HL's and the RX330 (and perhaps also the RX350) product run.
four wheel drive. tremendous failure rate.
LEXUS defrauded people by selling them not a LEXUS, but rather a camry transmission.
Demand that Lexus corporate pay for parts + labor, etc.
Demand Lexus replace transmission + labor + alignment. This
problem they know about.
I'm curious if the transmission failures are limited to AWD models or have some FWD models also failed ???
There is a different P/N for the VC assembly on the '01 and later RX300s vs the '99 & '00 models. As of '01 VSC and TC was adopted and TC would undoubtedly prevent the VC from ever becoming an active F/awd component for recovering loss of traction. It also appears to me that the towing package, additional ATF cooling included, became "standard" equipment by '01.
And then of course the VC was completely eliminated, no "constant" F/awd "forced" rear drive ability, for the entire RX330 model run and possibily the RX350 models. While the marketing literature of the time indicated that the RX330 remained with a VC Lexus was forced to admit that it did not. For the RX350 the marketing literature again indicated the VC was being used but the shop manuals indicate otherwise.
Besides which with TC functionality, other than partial driveline "stiffening"/coupling under "normal" driving conditions, there is no opportunity for VC use. And it was highly likely IMMHO that it was that "constant" VC rear coupling coefficient in the early models that put too much stress on the driveline.
At 80,000 miles I am becoming hopeful that being watchful of ATF condition will result in no need for transaxle work. But should that come to pass my '01 F/awd RX300 will get converted to R/awd (diff'l spider gears welded into place) and retrofitted with "99 VC assembly for driving the front wheels if the need should arise.
IMMHO it was the need to build the Camry transaxle into a more robust unit for the RX300 series that lead to all the early RX300 transaxle failures. When you mount a V6 engine sideways in the engine compartment there is not a lot of room left for the transaxle. In order to allocate more space for a more robust transaxle some traditional parts/aspects of earlier automatic transaxles was eliminated.
It was the elimination ("abolition" in Toyota lingo) of the ATF pressure sustaining/holding accumulator and maintaining of constant ATF line pressure in favor of "real-time" line pressure control that lead to the premature failure problem.
Apparently before Toyota became fully aware of the problems this was causing the new design, with substantially improved FE, was chosen for adoption across the fleet.
So now, CURRENTLY, ALL Toyota and Lexus FWD and F/awd vehicle have the 1-2 second re-acceleration downshift delay/hesitation problem.
===========================================
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10264449
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Details: TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, WOULD SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULDNT HAVE, WHEN PUT IN GEAR WOULD DO NOTHING THEN UNEXPECTEDLY LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON GEAR SELECTION. LEXUS DEALER REPLACED TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY. *TR
Occurrences: 1 Injuries: 0
Fail Date: 03/03/2009 Deaths: 0
Date added to datbase: 4/8/2009
This fact lends to the idea highly that this is not a widespread problem, because as we all know, people will go out of thier way to p&m about something they feel they are getting a raw deal on and the fact that there are just 86 out of how many sold, well, I'm not so convinced this is such a problem. With all due respect this is not to minimize the BS many have had to go through, but it says alot.
JBL
is repairing hundreds of these a month according to their personnel.
The problem is most severe on 4 WD models because this is a Camry transmission not built to handle 4WD.
Noticed upon leaving the dealership that the rebuilt transmission was hesitant in shifting. Called the dealer and started a case file of further complaints over the next 11 months. With the 1-year warranty nearly expired on this second transmission, we took the RX to the dealer for thorough documentation. Tech said shifting was typical, we said NOT.
2 months out of warranty, the forward gears began failing completely in one day, and the excessive RPMs indicated the clutches were not engaging. Had to have the RX trucked by transport to the dealer. Lexus found that the tranny had completely devoured itself, leaving copious amounts of metal fragments in the pan.
Dealer provided a free RX 350 loaner and absorbed all of the expenses, including the extra transport miles exceeding 100 miles. This third transmission shifts very smoothly. We pulled a tranny oil sample and sent it out to an aircraft motor oil analysis shop to get a baseline on metal contamination. We will repeat the sampling at 9 months to assess any tin, iron, nickel, etc. value increases by this spectroscopic analysis.
You will find that Lexus Customer Satisfaction will listen and offer some help if you have documented your experiences with the failing transmission. To remove a tranny oil sample, go to the local farm supply store and purchase a long piece of vinyl tubing that will fit down the dip stick well. Use a 15 cc syringe from the same farm store to pull your sample. Be careful that the tube does not come loose from the syringe and drop into the tranny well.
Over a week, the noise grew louder, until we began to notice random slippage of the clutches while in gear. Driving down the parkway at 50 mph and 2400 RPM, we would suddenly notice the RPMs launch to 4,000+, stay there a minute or so and then begin creeping back to 2400. RX finally lost its transmission at a stop light intersection while trying to make a left turn after stopping. Barely made our way through the intersection and then pulled into Lowe's parking lot to await the transport to the dealer 130 miles away, over the mountain pass.
Lexus paid for everything on the second transmission, figuring we had sufficiently documented the problem from day #1. We pulled an oil sample and sent it off to a Phoenix aircraft oil analysis group for spectroscopic analysis and setting baseline metal values. So far, we are happy with the RX and # 3 transmission.
As a result everyone, EVERYONE, across the Toyoya and Lexus FWD and F/awd fleet, gets to suffer the problem of a 1-2 second reacceleration downshift delay/hesitation
Merry Christmas to you and all on this board!
JBL
many other private firms are also repairing these faulty transmissions?
Lexus dealers will look you in the eye and say, this is not a big problem. If you make a big stink, Lexus will rebate 50% cost of the transmission, but it will still cost you $3,000 - $3,500 to repair.
4WD mdels cannot handle the torque and wear out much quicker.
Now they tell me you have to change the transmission fluid every
20,000 miles!
The RX 300 from 1999 - 2003 transmissions are junk.
The correct legal argument is you bought a Lexus not a cheap
economy toyota camry. We were all defrauded! Nowhere is it
disclosed that Lexus just used a camry transmission.
Shame on Lexus for this scam.................................
built with a camry transmission that could not handle the torque?
Nowhere is there a disclosure from Lexus that they used a camry
transmission. You paid for a luxury car but got an economy car, think you were defrauded????
Now why would someone write on Edmunds their success story????
The only people writing are those who either identified a problem, or want clarification on a problem.
I had a Lexus with over 300,000 that was a jewel, and I certainly did
not write that previously on Edmunds!
eight and their superior performance and longevity. Writer "332"
suggests that used car buyers want to go to Edmunds to hear about
good stories????
Maybe I am far to educated than "332", but to take time to write
success stories on a forum that chronciles car issues either needs
a life, or sign up for Obama care.
People need to be more positive...You should have posted your Lexus jewel with over 300k miles. If not, we don't get the whole story!
I don't think it's a matter of credibility. Some folks are simply pleased with their vehicles and like to write about it. On the other hand, it may not be particularly constructive to tell a person faced with a problem and looking for help that your own vehicle runs perfectly without offering either sympathy or suggestions for resolving the issue.
In any case, let's get back to the topic at hand rather than questioning each others veracity or credibility.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
My 2001 RX300 just lost its transmission yesterday at 127K miles. Might I ask who you took to small claims court, the dealer or Toyota? I understand that the technical reason for winning was the Toyota Camry vs a Lexus transmission. Is there any other information that you could share with me?
regards
GlenJ1
Plus I don't think the more robust design, design flaw and all, of the RX300 transaxle was adopted by the Camry until about the '02 MY.
in any way that you were not buying a Lexus transmission? If not
you were defrauded and suffered damages as a direct result of
the flawed product.
Lexus corporate indemnifies the dealer so you basically could double down. By the way most small claims courts do not allow lawyers, so Lexus just sent in a manager to contest. The judge just asked two questions, can I prove that it was not a lexus transmission, YES and two did Lexus disclose this prior to purchase? NO Any AAMCO transmission shop can bringthe information up on their computers.
By the way I paid $2,200 at AAMCO to get mine fixed and it is working greta!
Regards
The only difference between the FWD and F/awd RX300 was an U140E vs an U140F respectively. No difference between the U140E & U140F until you get to the diff'l section.
Looks as if AAMCO might have unwittingly pulled a fast one on the court.
On the other hand Lexus was having so much trouble with the new design of the U140E/F series they may have taken the interim measure for the late 2000 models of using an A140E, Camry, transaxle. IMMHO most buyers having Lexus vehicles with the early versions of the U140E/F transaxle would have been much better off with the Camry transaxle.
Thus began the episode of the use of DBW, E-throttle, in an attempt to hide the design flaw of the U140E/F series of transaxles from the buying public.
While I now suspect that Lexus may well have used the Camry's A140E transaxle in late model year production of the 2000 RX300 I rather doubt, strongly so, that you will find a 2001 or later RX300 equipped with a Camry transaxle.
Beginning with the 2001 MY Lexus had made a significant number of changes to the drivetrain that would certainly help to reduce the load duty-cycle of the U140E/F transaxle. The VC was made virtually non-functional, the rear LSD was no longer an option, and the only time engine drive torque was diverted to the rear drive was with TC activation, which included SIMULTANEOUS, SEVERE, ENGINE DETHROTTLING.
No stress on the U140F to be had there.
There is also some indication that the towing package with additional ATF cooling was included as standard equipment in all RX300 F/awd factory shipments.
Contrary to your thinking, or lack thereof, it appears that
Lexus made the decision to not appeal as this would have
only escalated their exposure of both the fraud and the poorly
designed transmission. Class action attorneys would smell
blood in the water, if it went to appeal and Lexus lost.
You should note on the Edmunds blog that there are a number
of people raising the issue of a class action lawsuit.
What kind of law do you try to practice?
Did somebody claim to practice law? It would be better to use the "reply" link so people can tell whom you are addressing rather than creating a new thread.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
I take that back...
Lexus would have been commiting fraud on the EPA and CARB were they to have substituted the old style Camry transaxles for the newer, more fuel efficient U140E/F.
Plus the engine/transaxle ECU firmware would not have been able to operate the Camry's A140E transaxle.
In order to use the A140E in the RX300 you would have had to also change the engine/transaxle ECU module, along with the wiring harness and connections. Or maybe even the engine itself altogether with the module AND the transaxle.
103,000 miles when yours failed...bought it new or used..??
Used might mean a previous DIY owner could have dropped the Camry system in, or maybe even an actual Lexus or Toyota dealer. I doubt of you would have gotten compensation if a third party made the change.
Thank you for the great info, I have same problem with my RX300 2000 with 120K and I live in the area,
Do ou remember rep's name at Lexus of Riverside? or who I should talk to? I'd appreciate it!
I'm hoping I can get the same treatment. Thank you so much, Justin-
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/
--------------------
Watching Toyota trying to squirm and spin there way out of the gas petal sticking fiasco I can only say, they are getting what they deserve. I bought new 2000 Lexus RX300 because I was tired of the continue recalls and quality induced failures of the American brands I owned and believed that Lexus provided the best product available. I was wrong. When the transaxle in my RX300 had a massive internal failure at 92,000 miles (not a lot of miles for a Lexus) Lexus, manufactured by Toyota, showed me the same contempt they showed the Toyota owners who complained about the sticking gas pedal. The Lexus dealer wanted $6000 to replace the transaxle but eventually settled for $4000 which is still more then their cost. In researching this failure on my RX300 I found that this is a common problem on the 2000 Lexus RX300 and that Toyota has know about it almost from day one but has stone walled the RX300 owners in our attempts to get a recall to correct the problem. And as part of my claim to get Lexus to replace the transaxle at no cost I presented them with a documented history of this type of failure on the RX300. I reported this defect to the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/, case no. 10125165. Even though ODI has a significant number of complaints about this defect of the RX300 transaxle nothing has been done about it. I can only conclude that unless someone dies from an event, nothing will ever be done about it, if even then. I also presented Lexus with the results of a search of Edmunds CARSPACE that list hundreds of complaints of the type of failure I had on my RX300 and the horror stories the the owners faced from the all to smug Lexus (Toyota) dealers. My experience with Lexus has soured me on the Lexus and Toyota brands and will drive me back to the last of the truly American auto manufacturers, Ford, for my next vehicle.