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Even my '01 AWD RX300 was showing symptoms (burned ATF) of a design flaw as early as 40,000 miles.
I suspect that when the Camry transaxle was initially adapted for the larger and HEAVIER RX series it needed to be BEEFED up here and there and the engineers missed a few "corners".
Your dealer should be very well aware of this issue and therefore willing to discuss with you any possible alternative solutions.
You can search for "toyota", "DBW", and "hesitation", for clarifying posts.
As of the introduction of the RX330 Toyota adopted a DBW, e-throttle system so it could be programmed to "protect the drive train", prevent the engine torque from rising until the transaxle downshifting clutches can fully and firmly seat when you depress the gas pedal enough to "force" a downshift.
In the meantime the RX300 series is left to "suffer", wear out the clutch surfaces prematurely, since with a "hard" mechanical coupling to the throttle valve the rising of engine torque cannot as easily be delayed.
First, the '99 models do have a TSB (mention Technical Service Bulletin) that the Lexus service department should be fully aware of, as the "valve body" on that transmission was always a problem, and Lexus realized it right away. On my early '99 built in '98, it caused a "slamming shift" between first and second gears, only when the vehicle was cold, and only in cooler weather (I live in a warm climate so it happened rarely). When this continues to occur, it contributes to the premature wear, along with the issues Mr. West mentioned.
However, when my transmission was replaced with a factory new unit (at Lexus's expense), the new transmission not only does not have this problem, but is a more modern design without the "delayed" shift pattern that Mr. West mentioned. Most importantly, I no longer get the burned fluid indicating the durability is in question, and am now impressed that the new unit will last a long time as long as it isn't abused or left for extended idling to run the air when parked.
Also, when Lexus replaced the transmission, they checked to make sure nothing else was damaged (like CV joints, etc.) and nothing else was/has been since, except they were kind enough to find a cracked exhaust pipe that wasn't related and took care of that at the same time.
There is something else which may be what you are experiencing and it isn't a problem. I can't tell from your question. The '99s have a cold shift pattern programmed so that the transmission shifts "late" at about 3000 RPM for second gear when the engine temp is cold (the needle hasn't moved off the "C"), but just drive easily until it warms up. Year 2000 and later don't have this issue. That continues on the '99 even with the modern transmission replacement I had in '04.
Other than the transmission, Lexus should check for engine "oil gelling" that occurred under certain conditions, but you would have seen blue smoke if that were a problem. Mine, as well as most, has not had this problem.
If the transmission is good (or especially if Lexus replaces it with a new factory unit) and frequent oil changes and transmission service, you are likely to have a reliable and fine little wagon.
You can search this forum and the other RX300 forums and find issues people had problems with (especially this same topic) but remember to take those posts within the context that most posts are about problems on any model of car.
Welcome to the forum, we are looking forward to your input from your experiences.
There is one more issue you might want to aware of if you live in the "northern" reaches. You might want to google for:
wwest demist denso
The worst part was that the dealer was out of Lexus loaners when I originally dropped the car off for an "inspection" when the dealer suggested they would replace the whole transmission under warrantee rather than fix it, but I could get an Enterprise rental at their expense.
That meant I was stuck with the crappiest Neon I'd ever driven. No cruise, no power locks, 3-speed tranny, no "neon" at all, and I didn't think they built them without power windows then, but I had one. So I was glad to finally have my car back with a "new" transmission which they assured me had all the modern updates, since the original design seemed flawed. I think they had the car close to two weeks by the time they were satisfied, and I'm glad we were able to take their time.
Moral: If they take their time and get it right to earn your satisfaction, and they are providing a nice car while doing it, it's worth the wait. I would expect updates from them after this time, though.
Did you end up getting the RX300 back from the Lexus dealer with a new or rebuilt transmission?
How did that all turn out?
However, the dealer may give you the full retail quote and say "tough break" to try to get the whole retail price, maybe. The price you quoted seems confusing, ($4000 labor?) even at a Lexus dealer. I would try another dealer for a more competitive or straightforward price. I think others have said a competitive price was about or under $4000 complete. Regarding the transmission, I'd be wary of an aftermarket rebuilt unit (one not rebuilt by Lexus, as in going to a tranny shop for a slightly lower price), even though I sometimes buy certain aftermarket parts. There have been many updates, and I'd want to be sure to get the most modern (durable) version if I had to pay for a rebuilt transmission, because the earlier models were trouble prone, rather than have the same old issues again. More likely the slight difference in price compared to a repair shop, Lexus will be more willing to help in lots of little ways. They are looking to build a working relationship with you, and the RX300's transmission has been a sore spot for many owners and a poor reflection of their product.
You may want to search this and the main RX 300 threads for lots and lots of info, or just scroll through some of the more recent posts from others with problems.
P.S. Heat, especially from extended idling or heavy traffic with the A/C on in the summer is the enemy of automatic transmissions, and especially with transverse mounted engines (with the exhaust run under the transmission). More so in hot climates and perhaps with the RX, because folks expect a Lexus to behave a certain way (auto a/c delivering lots of cool air in the cabin), and the engine temp guage never wavers. Once you have yours rebuilt, I suggest you might add an additional trans cooler, which can be sourced at a trans shop or if you are a DIY it's pretty easy to add another cooler behind the factory trans cooler in the fender, to further protect the investment in a new transmission (cheap insurance). You can check my CarSpace page, I posted some photos, etc.
My own mechanic, who I have used for many years, and trust absolutely, says it will cost $8,000 +- for a another transmission, and is the same quote I'm getting from Lexus, and that is for a rebuilt, not new transmission. Talk about sticker shock! Especially after reading so many messages from people who were quoted half that.
I am meeting with the Lexus people tomorrow. They say they will take my car as a trade-in on a new one. I owe $12,000 on it, so if they give me that much as a trade in, I may have a new car for Christmas!
Yet at only 40,000 miles the ATF was looking and smelling burned as if being somehow overheated. So I believe it in fact was overheated but in some way that the external cooler couldn't "compensate". IMMHO that would mean some sort of "localized" overheating of the ATF such that a small portion of the fluid is overheated and burned but then when remixed with the bulk of fluid the average heating level is not excessive.
It seems to me that points directly to the gear type ATF oil pump, the only possible "localized" "hot spot" within a transaxle.
It is my opinion that the early, 99-00, RX transaxle failures were due to an undersized ATF pump, so much undersized that the clutches could not be quickly and firmly seated, and that resulted in premature transaxle failure due to the accelerated rate wear of the clutch frictional surfaces.
The correction was to increase the pumping capacity of the ATF pump for '01-'03 RXes, and add an external cooler (was the towing package REALLY an option??)
In '04 DBW was adopted so the original low capacity ATF pump could be used. DBW could "protect the drive train" by preventing the engine torque from rising until the clutches were firmly and fully seated.
Of course Las Vegas traffic and summer weather are definitely "severe duty", but once it's fixed with the more modern design and the fluid is changed annually (I would for any car in that environment) your problems will likely be cured, but an additional cooler, although not required, would not hurt and could only aid in the durability of your severe conditions.
I really don't think $8000 is a competitive or reasonable quote, even from a trusted mechanic. If the Lexus dealer quoted me that, I would suspect they are encouraging me to trade in so they can benefit from my troubles, and I would to go to another dealer, even if I had to drive across town! :mad: Keep in mind, they are just going to replace the transmission with a rebuilt unit themselves, at a tiny fraction of the cost they quoted you, and that car will be up for sale in a couple weeks at full retail price.
My 2X4 used to burn fluid before the new transmission, too. And that's without the 4X4's fluid clutch, etc. Once I got the new transmission (new not rebuilt-I was lucky, covered under warrantee with a rental car) it no longer burns fluid, it stays (the type IV) pinkish red. It also performs flawlessly (I normally drive stick/motorcycle so I'm picky), with none of the shifting abnormalities other owners report. A year after the new transmission, I added the additional cooler "just in case" because I wanted this car to last a long time, and I (rarely) do tow a light motorcycle trailer, and we also have traffic and heat here in the San Fernando Valley (and trips to the desert). Installing the cooler was easy. The hardest part was unscrewing the plastic fender and underskirt, and I performed a 5 quart fluid change at the same time, and cleaning up the fluid so it didn't get grimy.
If you like your car (and don't want to give your equity away to this dealer) your best bet may be to seek warrantee replacement (I thought it was transferable but I could be mistaken), if not look for a dealer that will work with you on the price. $8000 sounds like the mechanic is really trying "refer" you to the someone who really wants the job, and the dealer just wants your trade-in business to me. :confuse:
I know its wet and dirty work but some of the new tire chain sets are really super easy to install.
I have a pp rx 300 that, when cold, shifts at about 3200 rpm from 2nd to 3rd and into overdrive. After that it's fine. I have changed the fluid twice in 1500 miles and wanted to get a opinion if this will solve the cold shift problem ? seems to be helping a-little so far. It has 105000 miles on it.
I would be concerned if there are inconsistent "abnormal" symptoms, however the cold delayed shift you are describing sounds like a very consistent condition that is part of the cold-start warm-up on the first-year models (we just wish it didn't rev so high when cold).
The way it reads, a fast or quick release will result in the transaxle remaining in the gear, "lower" gear, you were just previously using for acceleration. Whereas a slow, "smooth", release of the accelerator pedal will result in an upshift, if appropreate, into the most appropreate higher gear for simply cruising along at the current speed.
I rather doubt if it will solve the downshift delay/hesitation in all instances but it does look promising.
It seems as though most of the posts relating to transmission issue specify model years 1999 to 2001. Any help would be appreciated.
Does anyone think that we RX owners can file a class action suit against Lexus for selling what seems to be a defective car to the masses. I just went to my local mechanic that I have been using for years, to replace my transmission at a fraction of what I know Lexus would charge. But I think that Lexus should stand by their product and pay us all for this horrible defect.
I thought the Lexus brand meant reliability. I was thinking about purchasing a new RX in 2010 but I might have to reconsider this decision.
I am very very very disappointed about this mulfunction transmission from LEXUS. I would like to know how we can file a class action suit against Lexus. The failure of the transmission almost caused my life in the highway. Luckily, there were no cars behind me when the transmission failed and locked four wheels.
WATCH YOUR RX 300 TRANSMISSION. DO'T LET IT FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY.
Considering it's not likely they will cover the full cost after 10 years of wear, but dealing with them like a valued vendor-client relationship might afford you a reduced cost on a factory rebuild to modern specs, rather than a rebuild of the same old original from an aftermarket source. I hope it works out for you.
60,000 miles on a ten year old car is pretty severe service. When you get it repaired, check out how other owners are maintaining theres. I won't go more than two years (especially regardless of how few miles you drive it) without changing the tranny fluid with factory "TYPE IV" fluid. I hope that also helps.
I wish you best of luck with yours.
I might be interested in purchasing.
It seems that I am not alone for having the problem. I support the class law suite against the Lexus. This is a serious quality problem which could cause the accident in the highway, let alone the Lexus owner paid a lot for better quality which they did not get. We don't have to wait for someone got killed due to the transmission locking up the wheels during driving.
Is it at all driveable...??
My email is under my profile.
Year 2000 Lexus RX300 is unsafe to drive. It almost caused a chain reaction accident when the transmission failed on me in the highway :mad: exiting the ram. It locked all four wheels. The second time, it happened exactly the same as your case just 3 weeks ago. I could not use the reverse gear to back out from my garage. I had to get a special tow truck to drag the car the parking spot. I costed me over $ 4000 to fix the transmisiion.
I was simply confused by your use of "camel" to describe the interior.
But what model year is your RX300..??
But finding a lawyer, or legal office, wherein someone in that profession even begins to understand "this" issue is, has become, a REAL challenge. Absent understanding the issue quite comprehensively and completely no lawyer would approach this issue with a ten yard "stick".
Like trying to find a patent attorney who can understand automotive electronics patent potential seems almost out of the question.
Still looking though.....
Please tell us more... What color is the tranny fluid? How translucent is it? Does it smell burned? From what little you've described, I'm guessing your fluid is getting contaminated from the failing part(s), immediately causing big problems for the whole unit as the pressurized contaminated fluid tries to circulate through clogged tiny passages, and mechanics are guessing your inevitable need for it's replacement will demand premium price.
It's great news your car's mobile right now (even though it may not be reliable), because you still have the opportunity to call around and shop around for the rebuilt transmission.
Since your cost of the replacement seems to vary depending situation, my advice is to let them know you can still drive it wherever you want. Get it where they can assure you it was Lexus built to more modern standards than the original, perhaps a factory rebuild.
But get it from an expert; Lexus made many changes to them, but the transmission's always been the weak spot for the type of use the whole RX package encourages, and not originally designed to standards buyers expect. You may want to research for Technical Service Bulletins (TSB's) for your VIN, and politely/kindly let them know you feel (like your fluid) burned and disappointed at the poor durability, but you are looking for a reason to remain loyal. If Lexus makes you an offer of "goodwill" because of your established patronage, maybe they will come down on the price to keep you a happy camper, enough to make things more economical..
'99 (from early '98) 2WD I had a factory new (not rebuilt) unit replaced by Lexus under warrantee in 2004, and it's been flawless. My original was clearly flawed with shift/durability problems from the beginning, like many others. On the other hand, my good friend's '00 4WD has been fine from the beginning, and has OOODles of miles, and the fluid's great.
When the RX series was being designed initially the decision was made to use the Camry/ES300 engine and transaxle as the starting point. The engine..., no problem. But, the transaxle.....BIG problem.
RX was to be a MUCH heavier vehicle and with "AWD" to boot.
So the transaxle HAD to be upgraded, made more "robust".
Hmmm...
A sideways mounted engine and transaxle didn't leave much room for increased "robustness". So something had to give, GO...
The ATF fluid pressure holding accumulator was chosen.. it was discarded from the design. Think of that accumulator as a windup rubber band in an old flying model you built many years ago. When the engine is running the ATF pump was "whirring", pumping ATF fluid to the tune of 3000 PSI. Now if the engine RPM were to drop to idle not much fluid would be pumped. But that was okay if you had an accumulator to "store", at 3000 PSI, some of the previously pumped fluid.
Big deal, who cares, the clear majority of time ATF fluid pressure is needed is for upshifts and those occur as the engine RPM climbs, typically WELL above idle.
The dealer says the rough cost is $5,500.00. A third party says around $4,500.00.
I spoke to the national Lexus customer service and they are looking into it. The local dealers head of service says he doubts seriously they will do anything to help me out.
This is a total outrage given the number of posts that I have read here and on other sites about problems with the 1999, 2000 and 2001 RX300 transmissions. I checked the nhtsa site and there are complaints for these years and I filed mine. Apparently there are just not enough for the nhtsa to force a recall.
Any thoughts or ideas?
Any suggestions how I can influence Toyota to give me some help with this problem?