Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Filed Mar 6, 2008931 vehiclesPolymer Process Development, LLC
Defect. POLYMER PROCESS DEVELOPMENT IS RECALLING 931 UNITS OF BACK GLASS, P/NO. FB20415ZPY, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1999-2004 LEXUS RX300 VEHICLES. THE GLASS FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE AUTOMOTIVE GLAZING MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, GLAZING MATERIALS.
Risk. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE INJURIES RESULTING FROM IMPACT TO GLAZING SURFACES.
Remedy. POLYMER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLYMER TOLL-FREE AT 800-510-9879.
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
All 5 campaigns on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Oct 6, 2018240,000 milesCA
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO BAD DESIGN. MANY OTHERS HAVE SAME FAILURES. NEED RECALL.
Power Train
Filed Jun 13, 201888,000 milesAL
TRANSMISSION BEGAN NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AND MECHANIC PUT IN TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT COULD NOT LOCATE ANY ISSUES WITH IT. TRANMISSION SOON WENT COMPLETELY OUT AT 88,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ONLY OWNED SUV FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. HAD INSPECTED BEFORE PURCHASE AND NO PROBLEMS NOTED. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND WILL NOT PAY SEVERAL GRAND TO BUY ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WHICH IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR. LEXUS SHOULD BE ASHAMED. JUST FOUND OUT HOW TO REPORT THIS HERE.
Power Train
Filed Oct 28, 2017150,000 milesNJ
AT APPROXIMATELY 150,000 MY LEXUS RX 300 SEIZED AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE/TURNOVER. OBVIOUSLY, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I PURCHASED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $4,000. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS MODEL OF LEXUS REPEATEDLY HAVING THE TRANSMISSION FAIL. I'M WONDERING WHY THE NHTSA DOES NOT ISSUE A RECALL AT THIS POINT - AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE., SO THOSE WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES CAN RECOUP SOME OF THE COST FOR THE FAILURES OF THIS TRANSMISSION.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 31, 201756,000 milesNJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD A LOT OF CONDENSATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PROVIDED MINIMUM VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT COVERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2016VA
BAD TRANSMISSION
Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2016WA
MY 2000 LEXUS RX300 HAD AN UNEXPLAINED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHERE THE VEHICLE ALMOST KILLED ME AND MY SON. I WAS DRIVING RESIDENTIAL BACKROADS BY MY HOUSE, ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY TO GET UP A HILL AND THAT'S WHEN IT TOOK OFF. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE, THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS UNRESPONSIVE, I PULLED THE FLOOR MAT OUT FOR GOOD MEASURE, NOTHING WORKED, IT KEPT ACCELERATING AT A HIGH RATE UNTIL I FINALLY SLAMMED IT THROUGH GEARS TO "PARK" TO GET IT TO A STOP. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER EVEN TOLD ME WHEN IT STARTED THE CAR TO GET IT UP ON THE TRUCK, AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR OVER 12 HOURS, IT WAS STILL RED LINING THE ENGINE, AND EVEN LURCHED FORWARD BUT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN PARK, IT DIDN'T CRASH INTO THE BACK OF THE TOW TRUCK. LEXUS INVESTIGATED THE CAR AND DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THEY WOULDN'T TELL ME WHY IT HAPPENED. I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE - ONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE A HISTORY OF HAVING SUA PROBLEMS. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERYTIME I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power Train
Filed Jul 28, 2016AL
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY RX300 JUST GAVE OUT. IT WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED - THE FLUID LEVELS WERE CHECKED AND HAD A MAJOR OVERHAUL ON IT BEFORE I GAVE IT TO MY DAUGHTER WHO GOES TO SCHOOL IN HOUSTON, WHERE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. SHE ONLY USES IT FOR LOCAL COMMUTE - NOT LONG DISTANCE DRIVING. THE INTENT WAS TO GIVE HER A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE! IT I HAVE ABOUT 149000 MILES ON IT. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS ENORMOUS - MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. I DEMAND BETTER QUALITY FOR A LUXURY VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY IT IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I NOW SEE NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THIS VEHICLE. WHY ARE WE ALLOWING SUCH LEMONS ON OUR STREETS!
Power Train
Filed Jun 30, 201640 milesNY
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY IT STARTED SLIPPING IT WAS GETTING OUT GEAR NOW IT MOVES ON LOW GEAR NO DRIVE REVERSE OR 2ND ONLY LOW GEAR
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 18, 2016TX
TOLD BEFORE PURCHASING THAT TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE POWER TRAIN. I ALSO AM NOT VISIBLE TO MOST DRIVERS IN THE WE MORNING DUSK DARK HOURS OF THE DAYS DUE TO LIGHTING. PULLED OVER BY LAW ENFORCEMENT A FEW TIMES IN REGARDS TO THE LIGHTS. ONE OWNER BEFORE ME AND DID NOT GET ANY RECALLS DONE. I CALLED LEXUS @ GRAPEVINE TX AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY TRUCK. THERE H E BEEN AND THEY NEED TO BE DONE ASAP. I HAVE A DISABLED CHILD AND CAN NOT JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD. I NEED HELP GETTING THIS MATTER TAKEN CARE OF ASAP. THANK YOU!
Power Train
Filed May 11, 2016190,000 milesMA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power Train
Filed Jan 14, 201624,000 milesMI
MY TRANSMISSION FAILED 5 YRS AGO WAS NOT TOLD WHY. THEY REPLACED IT BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. THEY PUT IN NEW PARTS EXCEPT FOR REMANUFACTURED CASING. NOW DECEMBER 2015 WITH ONLY 24,000 MILES ON IT SINCE I AM RETIRED, FAILED TO GO IN REVERSE OR GO INTO SECOND GEAR. HAVE NOTICED ONLINE ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSIONS OF LEXUS VEHICLES. NOW I AM TOLD BY LEXUS SPEACIALIST (800-255-3987) THEY ONLY WANT TO PAY FOR HALF OF PARTS AND WAS TOLD IT JUST FAILED WE DON'T KNOW WHY AND THEY REFUSE TO INVESTIGATE AGAIN UNLESS I WANT TO PAY FOR LABOR. IT SEEMS FROM ONLINE COMPLAINTS THAT THEY ARE MAKING OWNERS PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND OR REPLACEMENTS & LABOR. I HAVE NEVER FELT MORE UNSAFE IN A CAR WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH 55MPH SPEED LIMIT WHILE I COULD ONLY DRIVE 10 MILES AN HOUR. I HAD TO PAY $128 TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ON 01/04/2016 BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY DIAGNOSTICS FROM ANY ONE ELSE NOR PAY FOR TOW. I WAS DELAYED IN EFFORTS BECAUSE OF HOLIDAY. PLEASE MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
Power Train
Filed Dec 27, 201572,000 milesFL
SHIFTER LEVER MOVES FREELY (AND LOOSELY) BUT DOESN'T SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO ANY GEAR. THIS HAPPENED IN A PUBLIX PARKING LOT AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. AAA WAS CALLED AND THE RX300 HAD TO BE LOADED ONTO A FLAT BED AND BROUGHT TO A SERVICE CENTER.
Power Train
Filed Oct 8, 2015130,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED METAL SHAVING IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Power Train
Filed Apr 30, 2015122,000 milesTX
TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MILES FOR HOUR NO DRIVE OR REVERSE, I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND ON AGAIN , WORK FOR FEW MILES AND HAD SAME PROBLEM . I CALL A TOW TRUCK. I TRY AGAIN AT HOME AND NOW TRANSMISSION DOESN'T WORK AND I SEE SMOKE FROM THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK COMING OUT. I CHECK ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE LEXUS RX 300. *TR
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 16, 2015165,000 milesCA
INCIDENT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TR
Power Train
Filed Apr 3, 2015250,000 milesNC
TRANSMISSION IS BAD. *TR
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 3, 2015137,200 milesIL
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR JERKS AND THEN CUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON, EVEN AFTER SERVICING THE CAR AT LOCAL LEXUS DEALER. WHEN CAR IS PARKED, I NOTICED EXHAUST FUME SMELLS HEAVILY WITH GAS. *TR
Steering
Filed Nov 4, 2014CA
STEERING LOCKED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. TURNING RIGHT, MY VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE IN MOTION AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD, BUT THANKFULLY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, I STOPPED BEFORE DOING SO. UPON READING REVIEWS, OTHER LEXUS RX-300 DRIVERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME OCCURRENCE. THIS MALFUNCTION COULD CAUSE MAJOR INJURY OR DEATH. I AM REQUESTING THE NHTSA IMMEDIATELY CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THESE VEHICLES AND FORCE LEXUS TO PERFORM A MANDATORY RECALL BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
Power Train
Filed Sep 9, 2014140,369 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,369. UPDATED 10/22/2014*LJ UPDATED 05/19/2015 *JS
Steering
Filed Jul 15, 2014125,000 milesPA
WITH LITTLE/NO WARNING, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (2WD) FAILED. ALL GEARS (P,R,N,D,2,1) WORKED LIKE NEUTRAL GEAR. IF THIS WOULD'VE OCCURRED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER, MY CHILDREN AND I (LOCATED AT A SHARP TURN OVER A STEEP HILL) COULD'VE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN LEXUS RX300'S FROM YEAR 1999-2002. HOW MANY EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILURES DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE A RECALL? *TR
Seat BeltsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 3, 2014120,000 milesTN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE THE PASSENGER. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN LEG, BROKEN WRIST AND NEEDED TO UNDERGO SURGERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Power Train
Filed Feb 11, 2014186,000 milesCA
AFTER FIRST HAVING TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 75,000 MILES. IT SEEMS I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO DO IT AGAIN AT 186,000. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING TROUBLE CLIMBING A HILL. I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE MOVE ABOUT THREE FEET FROM A PARKING STALL MADE A LOUD NOISE JERKED TO A STOP AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND REPARK THE CAR. IT WILL NOT REVERSE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. *TR
Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 11, 2013CA
2000 LEXUS RX 300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXTERIOR LIGHTING RECALL NOTICE WHICH SEEMED TO BE VERY DECEPTIVE. *SMD
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed May 29, 2013TX
PURCHASED CAR FROM GUY AND FOUND OUT TWO DAYS LATER PAPER WORK IN THE GLOVE BOX THAT CONTAINED A CARFAX SHOWING AN ODOMETER ROLLBACK. 2009 IT HAD 155,000 AND IN 2012 IT HAS 110,000. DUE TO MILEAGE DISCREPANCY WE TRIED TO SELL ON LOCAL SITE BUT WHEN EXPLAINED THE MILEAGE SITUATION NEVER HEARD BACK FROM POTENTIAL BUYER. ENDED UP TRADING IT IN AND TAKING A LOSS- WE PAID 4500.00 AND BECAUSE THE MILEAGE IS "UNKNOWN" WE COULD ONLY GET 2,250 FOR THE TRADE IN, PLUS PAYING THE TAXES ON THIS. I TRULY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS NOT REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES REGARDLESS OF AGE TO DISCLOSE THE MILEAGE. IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN, MAYBE THIS ODOMETER ROLLBACK WOULDN'T HAPPEN AS OFTEN AND IF IT DID, YOU COULD ACTUALLY PROVE WHO DID IT. I CAN'T PROVE HE DID IT, BUT I'M SURE HE KNEW ABOUT IT BEFORE SELLING CONSIDERING HE HAD A CARFAX IN A LEXUS FOLDER WITH A LETTER FROM DEALER IN CA LOOKING TO REPLENISH THEIR USED INVENTORY & THE CARFAX IN THE GLOVE BOX WAS PRINTED ON THE SAME DAY IT SHOWS ON THE CARFAX THE CAR WAS AT THAT DEALER. HE INSIST HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS, BUT WHY WOULD YOU HAVE A FOLDER IN THE GLOVE BOX THAT HAS THIS LETTER, AND WHY WOULD THE DEALER NEED TO RUN A CARFAX TO FIX HIS "KEY" AS THEY STATE HE DID. I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS WAS AN ISSUE UNTIL IT HAPPENED AND I WAS "GOOGLING" HOW TO REPORT IT. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS, FLUID LEVELS, DRIVING IT TO MAKE SURE IT DIDN'T OVERHEAT AND ALL OF THAT- I NEVER THOUGHT OF THE ODOMETER BEING TAMPERED WITH. ALSO, IF YOU DO A SEAR
Power Train
Filed Apr 29, 201329,025 milesFL
ON 11/03/12 I PUT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTO REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. I THEN MOVED THE SHIFTER FROM "R", PAST "N" INTO "D" TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT THERE WAS NO ENGAGEMENT INTO ANY GEAR. THE SHIFTER JUST MOVED FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS WITH NO RESISTANCE. THERE WAS PREVIOUS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, SO I GOT OUT OF THE LEXUS AND PUSHED IT BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. ON 11/5/13 I DISASSEMBLED THE DASH AND SHIFTING CONSOLE AND FOUND THAT THE SHIFT CABLE WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE SHIFTING LEVER. THERE WERE PIECES OF SOME KIND OF PLASTIC RETAINER BROKEN AROUND THE CABLE TERMINATION "LOOP" AND LYING ON THE FLOOR. I STILL HAVE THE BROKEN PARTS. ON 11/5/12 I CALLED LEXUS CORPORATE OFFICE AT 800-255-3987. I EXPLAINED THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED (OR WORSE). I WANTED THIS FIXED, OR AT LEAST THE PART THAT HOLDS THE CABLE ONTO THE SHIFTER. THEY SAID I NEEDED TO HAVE A "REPAIR ORDER #" TO PROCEED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO LEXUS OF PALM BEACH BY HOLDING THE CABLE ON THE SHIFTER WHEN I NEEDED TO SHIFT. THEIR SERVICE MANAGER INSPECTED, TOOK PICTURES, AND PROVIDED #7200550. I THEN CALLED CORPORATE BACK WITH THAT #. I RECEIVED A 11/20/2012 LETTER FROM LEXUS CORPORATE. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PARTS/REPAIRS BASED ON WARRANTY EXPIRATION. ON 1/13 I FINALLY HAD TIME TO EFFECT A D.I.Y REPAIR. I MADE A NYLON SLEEVE FOR INSIDE THE CABLE "LOOP" AND USED A COMMON
Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2013127,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY GEAR THAT WOULD ENGAGE WAS DRIVE. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT COULD SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, THE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT APPROXIMATELY FOUR PISTONS MISFIRED AND THE 02 SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILD AND THE O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,700. *TR
Visibility
Filed Jan 1, 2013115,000 milesNY
MY LEXUS RX300 2000 THE SUN VISORS KEEPS FALLING DOWN WHICH PREVENTS ME TO DRIVE IN WHICH I GET DISTRACTED WHEN I AM DRIVING, IT IS A CONCERN, SINCE IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY FATHER IN LAW OWNS ALSO OWNS A TOYOTA CAMRY IN WHICH IN RECENT DAYS HE GOT A NOTIFICATION OF THE SAME PROBLEM. LEXUS IS THE SAME COMPANY AS TOYOTA, AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU GOT ANY NOTIFICATION OF MANY SUNVISOR PROBLEMS ALONG WITH THE MODEL HIGHLANDER WHICH IS THE SAME AS MY CAR LEXUS RX300. THIS VEHICLES WHERE MADE FROM 1999-2003. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2012172,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED BY THREE FEET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power Train
Filed Apr 30, 2012138,000 milesGA
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THE LAST GEAR. *JS
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 17, 201290,000 milesFL
THE PAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO TAKING THE CAR TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE IS NO LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN OCALA , FL ..... I WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING LIKE RUBBER AGAINST A HOT EXHAUST OR ENGINE. EVERY NOW AND THEN I WOULD STOP THE CAR AND CHECK AND I MIGHT SEE A WHIFF OF LIGHT SMOKE BUT THEN NOTHING. NO ENGINE LIGHTS , NO SPOTTING ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. SO I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE EARLY AND ASKED THAT THEY CHECK THE CAR OVER. 3 HOURS LATER I WAS TAKEN INTO THE GARAGE BAY AND SHOWN OIL DRIPPING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE AND TOLD MY SEALS WERE BLOWN AND THE WHOLE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE TORN DOWN TO GET TO THEM. WHILE REPAIRING IT TURNED OUT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING BUT THE TIMING BELT CHANGED AT 60,000 MILES WAS OKAY. THE FOLLOWING EVENING I WAS PRESENTED WITH A $1500 BILL MOST FOR LABOR. I GUESS I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THEY FOUND ALL THIS BEFORE I TOOK THIS 12 YEAR OLD CAR ON A LONG TRIP . *TR
Power Train
Filed Jan 11, 2012101,000 milesMD
I SERVICED MY LEXUS THROUGHOUT IT'S LIFE. NOW THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. AFTER CHECKING TO SEE IF THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, I FOUND OUT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITY THEY TOO TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLAWED IN ITS ENGINEERING DESIGN AND THAT NO OIL WAS ABLE TO REACH THE VITAL COMPONENTS AND THAT OVER TIME THEY DRIED OUT AND BECAME BRITTLE. I THINK THE NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND MAKE LEXUS CORP. COMPENSATE PEOPLE WHO "GOT HAD" BY LEXUS....THIS $45K CAR SHOULDN'T HAVE THIS HAPPEN WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Nov 2, 20113,500 milesFL
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE (2000 LEXUS RX 300) IN 2004 WITH LESS THAN 35,000 AND EVERY YEAR SINCE 2007 I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH LIGHTING. I HAVE HAD THE PARK LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, CENTER STOP LAMP; CENTER BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET AND BULBS ALL REPLACED. THE UNFORTUNATE ISSUE IS THAT THE LIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR SOMETIMES TWICE A YEAR BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. I ALWAYS TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS OF ORLANDO DEALERSHIP FOR TESTING, SERVICE AND REPAIR BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY NEVER COMPLETELY FIX THIS ISSUE. THE MOST RECENT REPAIR WAS REPLACEMENT OF TH CENTER BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET AND BULB AND RESET ON 4/14/2011 AND IN AUGUST 2011 ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT, AN ACCIDENT ALMOST ACCRUED DUE TO MY BRAKE LIGHTS FAILING TO COME WHILE MAKING A STOP ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL, LEXUS MECHANIC STATES THE ISSUE STARTED WITH AN UNTRACEABLE PROBLEM IN WHICH THE REAR TAIL BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AND LATER ON THE PARK LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS THEREAFTER. *TR
Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 2, 201172,105 milesFL
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE (2000 LEXUS RX 300) IN 2004 WITH LESS THAN 35,000 AND EVERY YEAR SINCE 2007 I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH LIGHTING. I HAVE HAD THE PARK LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, CENTER STOP LAMP; CENTER BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET AND BULBS ALL REPLACED. THE UNFORTUNATE ISSUE IS THAT THE LIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR SOMETIMES TWICE A YEAR BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. I ALWAYS TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS OF ORLANDO DEALERSHIP FOR TESTING, SERVICE AND REPAIR BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY NEVER COMPLETELY FIX THIS ISSUE. THE MOST RECENT REPAIR WAS REPLACEMENT OF TH CENTER BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET AND BULB AND RESET ON 4/14/2011 AND IN AUGUST 2011 ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT, AN ACCIDENT ALMOST ACCRUED DUE TO MY BREAK LIGHTS FAILING TO COME WHILE MAKING A STOP ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL, LEXUS MECHANIC STATES THE ISSUE STARTED WITH AN UNTRACEABLE PROBLEM IN WHICH THE REAR TAIL BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AND LATER ON THE PARK LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS THEREAFTER. *TR
Power Train
Filed Oct 12, 2011111,000 milesKS
WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE (LEXUS RX300 4WD) ON 11/29/2002 WITH 27,080 MILES ON IT FROM LOCAL LEXUS DEALER. IT IS MY WIFE'S PRIMARY VEHICLE AND SHE DRIVES IT TO WORK DAILY (ABOUT 20 MILES PER DAY). AT 111,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING ERRATICALLY IE. DOWN SHIFTING SUDDENLY WHEN IT SHOULDN'T AND SLIPPING GEARS. IT ALSO MAKES A STRANGE CONSTANT NOISE. IT HAD BEEN MORE AND MORE SHIFTING THIS WAY OFF AND ON FOR 2 OR 3 MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO LEXUS DEALER ON 8/24/2011 BECAUSE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SERVICE CONSULTANT STATED IT NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION (THIS WAS SAID IN THE SAME TONE OF "YOU NEED A NEW AIR FILTER") AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR $5,208.80. WHEN I ASKED SERVICE CONSULTANT IF THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM HE STATED THAT IT WAS NOT. HE SAID MY TRANSMISSION COULD TOTALLY FAIL AT ANY TIME EVEN WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. THE OPERATORS MANUAL STATES "IT IS NECESSARY TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUID ONLY IF YOUR VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNDER SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS" WHICH WE DON'T. I CHECKED EDMUNDS AND BLOGS ON LINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OVER THIS ISSUE AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE I DON'T WANT MY WIFE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE AND SO IT JUST SETS IN MY GARAGE. *KB
Power Train
Filed Oct 12, 2011143,730 milesNJ
PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PURCHASED USED WITH 85,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AT SUGGESTED INTERVALS. CAR WILL NOT MOVE IN ANY TRANSMISSION SELECTOR POSITION. AFTER RESEARCH, FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL LEXUS. *KB
Power Train
Filed Sep 9, 2011100,000 milesTX
2008 TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 100,600, REPLACED AND AGAIN FAILED IN 2011 AT 131,000, FAILED AT 134,000, NOW BEING TOLD THE ECM COMPUTER IS CAUSING THE HARD SHIFTING AT 2ND TO 3RD UPSHIFT. WAS TOLD THE SAME TRANNY IS IN THE RECALLED RAV4. *TR
Power Train
Filed Sep 2, 2011111,012 milesKS
WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE (LEXUS RX300 4WD) ON 11/29/2002 WITH 27,080 MILES ON IT FROM LOCAL LEXUS DEALER. IT IS MY WIFE'S PRIMARY VEHICLE AND SHE DRIVES IT TO WORK DAILY (ABOUT 20 MILES PER DAY). AT 111,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING ERRATICALLY IE. DOWN SHIFTING SUDDENLY WHEN IT SHOULDN'T AND SLIPPING GEARS. IT ALSO MAKES A STRANGE CONSTANT NOISE. IT HAD BEEN MORE AND MORE SHIFTING THIS WAY OFF AND ON FOR 2 OR 3 MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO LEXUS DEALER ON 8/24/2011 BECAUSE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SERVICE CONSULTANT STATED IT NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION (THIS WAS SAID IN THE SAME TONE OF "YOU NEED A NEW AIR FILTER") AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR $5,208.80. WHEN I ASKED SERVICE CONSULTANT IF THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM HE STATED THAT IT WAS NOT. HE SAID MY TRANSMISSION COULD TOTALLY FAIL ANT ANY TIME EVEN WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. THE OPERATORS MANUAL STATES "IT IS NECESSARY TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUID ONLY IF YOUR VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNDER SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS" WHICH WE DON'T. I CHECKED EDMUNDS AND BLOGS ON LINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OVER THIS ISSUE AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE I DON'T WANT MY WIFE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE AND SO IT JUST SETS IN MY GARAGE.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 14, 2011103,500 milesCA
FULL TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE SYMPTOMS AT 103,500 MILES. VEHICLE REGULARLY SERVICED, INCLUDING 90K COMPLETE SERVICE AT DEALER. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 1, 2011115,346 milesCA
VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER WHILE GOING 35-45 MPH AND EVENTUALLY STALLED. WAS ABLE TO START VEHICLE BUT WON'T GO PASS 25 MPH. WHEN STOPPED, AND SHIFTED ON DRIVE, VEHICLE WON'T MOVE FORWARD. WON'T GO INTO REVERSE EITHER WHEN ENGAGED IN REVERSE. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 6, 2011175,000 milesGA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LEXUS RX300. THE TIMING BELT AND ENGINE WERE REPLACED DECEMBER OF 2010 BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 175,000.
Power Train
Filed Apr 18, 2011126,000 milesOH
WITH NO WARNING SIGNS AT ALL THE TRANSMISSION ON MY LEXUS RX300 HAS FAILED. THE CAR NEVER PREVIOUSLY FAILED TO ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR, HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DECREASED IN SPEED AND WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS TO ACCELERATE. WE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER MOVE. LUCKILY WE HAD MADE THE RARE CHOICE OF NOT DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THAT PARTICULAR NIGHT. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD BEEN CHECKED 3 WEEKS EARLIER, AND THE CAR HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I AM FINDING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF LEXUS, AND EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS TRANSMISSION SET UP. FOR THE PRICE OF THESE CARS I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. THERE IS NO REASON WHY A TRANSMISSON SHOULD FAIL AT 126,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR COST COULD BE BETWEEN $3500-$5000. THIS IS NOT THE QUALITY THAT I EXPECTED WITH THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSORS, THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS THE VVT VALVES AND OIL PAN, AND NOW WE ARE FACED WITH THE GREAT EXPENSE OF REPLACING A VERY EXPENSIVE TRANSMISSION THAT SHOULD STILL WORK. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED, AND WHILE I HAVE PROMOTED THE PURCHASE OF LEXUS CARS TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, AND VOWED TO PURCHASE AGAIN, I AM NOT CERTAIN THAT I WANT TO SPEND VERY HARD EARNED MONEY ON THE DREAM OF QUALITY THAT DOESN'T EXIST.
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 8, 2011AZ
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM REGARDING HER LETTER TO TOYOTA THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF TOYOTAS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR GENTLY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, JUMPING THE CURB, KNOCKING DOWN AND RUNNING OVER A STEEL POST ON THE SIDEWALK THAT WAS ANCHORED IN CONCRETE ALL THE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS FRANTICALLY STOMPING ON THE BRAKE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED ABOUT SIX FEET FROM THE WALL OF A DEPARTMENT STORE. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JAN 31, 2011. AS THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, OVER THE CURB AND HIT THE POST IN FRONT OF THE CURB. THE IMPACT KNOCKED THE VEHICLE BACK ABOUT THREE FEET AND BASHED IN THE FRONT FENDER AND GRILL. *JB UPDATED 05/19/11
Electrical System
Filed Mar 29, 2011109,000 milesOH
THE MOON ROOF MOTOR HAS TWO FUNCTIONS, TILTING OPEN AND SLIDING THE ENTIRE GLASS PANEL OPEN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO USE THE SLIDE PANEL OPEN FUNCTION, THE PANEL DID SLIDE OPEN, HOWEVER IT WAS MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL OPERATION AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A GRINDING/CLICKING NOISE WHICH NEVER ACCOMPANIED PREVIOUS OPERATION. AN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE ROOF PANEL YIELDED AN IDENTICAL RESULT. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO OPERATE THE TILT FEATURE OF THE ROOF, WHICH WAS ALSO SLOW AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED NOISES. ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE ROOF RESULTED IN NO MOVEMENT OF THE ROOF PANEL AND A GRATING SOUND FROM THE ELECTRIC MOTOR. ACTIVATING THE SWITCH WHILE SUBSEQUENTLY PUSHING DOWN ON THE ROOF PANEL CAUSED IT TO RETURN TO THE CLOSED POSITION. I AM NOW UNABLE TO OPEN THE ROOF DUE TO FEAR OF IT BEING STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND A SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE WILL BOW AND CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO PASSENGERS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS POSTED WARNINGS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF ITS HIGHER PROPENSITY TO ROLLOVER IN ACCIDENTS OR HIGH SPEED MANEUVERS THAN AVERAGE VEHICLES.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 18, 201198,000 milesIL
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
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 28, 201156,825 milesID
OWN A LEXUS 2000 RX300, TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 56,825 MILES. CONTACTED A LEXUS DEALER AND NO HELP WAS OFFERED, SAID IT WOULD COST $6000 FOR THE REPAIRS.I MADE A FORMAL REQUEST FROM LEXUS USA FOR HELP BUT THEY DECLINED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I WAS 1600 MILES FROM HOME SO I HAD AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP MAKE THE REPAIRS.LEXUS IS IN FACT AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE RX 300 TRANSMISSIONS, BUT REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN TRANSMISSION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW OF ANY CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THEY HAVE REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION ON LATER MODELS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM! *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 15, 2011130,000 milesTN
BOUGHT 2000 LEXUS RX300 IN JANUARY 2008. BY MAY 2009 REPLACING TRANSMISSION AROUND130,000MILES . 1ST IT STARED LIKE IT WAS HESITATING. BY MID DAY ON THE INTERSTATE DURING 65/HR, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT . HAD TO PULLOVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD 30MILE/HR AT 4000 RPM. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED .DROVE IT HOME 1 WEEK LATER SAME THING. TOOK BACK TO MR TRANSMISSION SAID IT WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION. SENSORS OXYGEN REPLACED STOP FOR A LITTLE BIT. NOTICED ON AND OFF TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. TRANSMISSION OUT AGAIN ALONG WITH CAR IDLING HIGH AND MAKING A POPPING NOISE. I GUESS NOTHING (RECALL) WILL NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE NO ONE DIED THAT SEEMS TO BE HOW IT WORKS OR IF IT SOMETHING MINOR LIKE UMMM A LIGHT. *TR
Power Train
Filed Feb 14, 2011159,120 milesFL
I PURCHASED A VEHICLE AT BOND AUTO SALES ON 12/24/2010. AFTER A FEW DAYS, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW THAT TRUCK WAS NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY. IT WAS RUNNING IN 3RD GEAR IDLING HIGH. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, I CALLED BACK A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD TURN OFF , IT WAS ALSO EATING UP OIL, I WAS TOLD TO BRING IN THE TRUCK SO THAT THEIR MECHANIC COULD LOOK AT IT, AND HE TEST DROVE THE TRUCK AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE SALESMAN SAID THAT HE WOULD SPEAK TO HIS MANAGER AND NOT TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. THEY TOOK MY PHONE NUMBER AND MY HUSBANDS PHONE NUMBER, WE NEVER GOT A CALL BACK. MY HUSBAND AND I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO THE MANAGER DIRECTLY. I ASKED IF THEY COULD LOOK AT THE TRUCK BECAUSE I FELT THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING WORST AND IT MAY BE THE TRANSMISSION, THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR. THE MANAGER CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD, IT WOULD COST $1500.00 TO REPAIR. HE WANTED ME TO BRING IN $500.00 THAT SAME DAY, AND I HAD NOT EVEN HAD THE CAR FOR 30 DAYS. I ASKED IF THEY COULD PUT ME INTO ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I REALLY DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY. I GAVE THEM $4000.00 CASH, WHEN I INITIATED THIS DEAL, I DID NOT HAVE $500.00. THEY REFUSED TO WORK WITH ME AT ALL, I HAD MY FIRST CAR PAYMENT DUE JANUARY 29, 2011, AND HAD NO GUARANTEES THAT THE TRUCK WOULD BE ALRIGHT. THE ONLY CHOICE THAT I HAD WAS TO VOLUNTARILY GIVE THE CAR BACK, WHICH I DID, THE SAME DAY JANUARY 20, 2011. I ASKED FOR SOM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 2, 2011159,015 milesCA
2000 RX300 LEXUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. *JB
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 30, 2011113,457 milesTX
I WENT INTO MY GARAGE AND GOT IN MY CAR (LEXUS RX300,2000). IT STARTED NORMALLY, BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT UNTIL I PRESSED THE OVERRIDE BUTTON AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE. AS SOON AS THE SHIFTER HIT (R) THE THROTTLE SEEMED TO GO WIDE OPEN AND THE CAR BOLTED OUT OF THE GARAGE. LUCKILY, SINCE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE ALMOST INSTANTLY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE IT GOT OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 30 FT BEFORE I COULD STOP IT. I THINK I PUT IT INTO PARK AND JUST SAT THERE AND TRIED TO CALM DOWN. I WAS TERRIFIED BECAUSE OF THE HORRIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF BLASTING OUT INTO THE STREET ETC. AFTER, CALMING DOWN I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON WITH A GREAT DEAL OF TREPIDATION. AS I DROVE I WAS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO PLAN WHAT TO DO IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, IF THE CAR HAD GONE INTO DRIVE IT WOULD HAVE BLASTED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, OR WORSE. ADDENDUM: [XXX], I INSPECTED THE CAR AFTER THE INCIDENT AND COULD NOTHING WRONG. HOWEVER, I AM A CONTROLS SYSTEM ENGINEER AND IT CERTAINLY SOUNDED LIKE A CLASSIC BOUNDING/ BOUNDARY PROBLEM IN THE CONTROL SOFTWARE. BY THIS I MEAN THAT THE INPUTS TO THE CONTROL LOOP EXCEED THE ALLOWED VALUES. OR DUE TO SOME UNUSUAL SET OF INPUTS THERE IS AN OVERFLOW PROBLEM , WHERE THE LOOP DOES A CALCULATION THAT CAUSES THE VALUE TO CROSSOVER FROM ALL ONES TO ALL ZEROS, THIS OVERFLOW ISSUE CAN HAVE VERY UNEXPECTED RESULTS, LIKE RAILING THE CONTROLLED PARAMETER. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS MODEL LEXUS ENGINE SEEMS TO HAVE A MECHANICAL THROTTLE LINK
Seat Belts1 injured
Filed Dec 10, 201097,470 milesCA
MY SON (2.5-YEAR-OLD, 32LBS) WAS SITTING IN HIS CHILD SEAT WHICH WAS ON RIGHT REAR SEAT. THE CHILD SEAT WAS SECURED WITH LAP&SHOULDER SEAT BELT. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CURVY FREEWAY ON-RAMP AT ABOUT 25MPH, THE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED ITSELF AND MY SON FELL WITH HIS CHILD SEAT ONTO THE FLOOR. HIS HEAD HIT THE SEAT BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE SPEED POST ON THAT RAMP IS 25MPH. ACTUALLY, THIS IS THE 2ND OCCURRENCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FIRST ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON 11/20/2010 ON ANOTHER CURVY FREEWAY ON-RAMP. MY KIDS HAVE BEEN SITTING ON THAT CHILD SEAT ON THE SAME SEAT FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS. THERE WAS NO ISSUE UNTIL 11/20/2010. ALSO, MY SON WAS VERY TIGHTLY SECURED IN HIS CHILD SEAT. HIS HAND WAS AT LEAST 10-15" FROM THAT BUCKLE. SO THERE WAS NO WAY HE COULD UNBUCKLE HIMSELF. I CALLED LEXUS, BUT WAS TOLD TO VISIT A LOCAL DEALER. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A LOCAL DEALER. THE SERVICE GUY DID SOME SIMPLE TESTS OF THAT SEAT BELT, BUT COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG. HE THEN SUGGESTED THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO GET A NEW CAR.
Complaints 1-50 of 216, newest first, reproduced as filed.
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.