Lexus Rx 2000

Model Rx made in 2000 by Lexus got 39 consumer complains. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting and power train. The car has one 3 engine.

Model 2000

Engine [L]CylindersTransmissionDriveEstimate MPG (city/highway/combined)Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined)FuelFuel costClassRelease date
3 6Lockup/automatic, 4 gearsF19/24/2120,85/30,15/24,21Regular857MIDSIZE STATION WAGONS
3 6Lockup/automatic, 4 gears418/22/2020,3/28,7/23,38Regular900MIDSIZE STATION WAGONS

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
01/02/2007116000110/18/2002
 After $3000+ in repairs for the main seals leaking, the rear seals leaking, timing belt replacement, and all other belts replaced, my check engine light appeared, and i brought it to the dealership. they later informed me that my engine is being replaced. they made no mention of the class action lawsuit, due to engine sludge build-up, that prompted the replacement, but i soon received a letter regarding it, and all the lexus and toyota models affected. i complained about the $3000 charge, but got no satisfaction from the dealership, but only the explanation, we had no way of knowing that the engine was going to develop 'sludge'. now, with less than 1000 miles on the new engine my check engine light comes on again, the car is making awful noises under the dash like a speaker is blown, and the transmission seems to not ever get into first gear. i took the car back to the dealership in austin, tx., and they inform me that i need a $5000 transmission and fuse box. a fuse box. excellent. i am hoping for a recall or another class action lawsuit after researching the problem on-line, and seeing the multitudes of people complaining of rx300 transmissions failing at relatively low mileage. *jb
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
11/15/201190000
 At 90,000 miles my day time running lights have stopped working . this car was purchased new in dec 2000 .
POWER TRAIN
01/18/2013116237
 Transmission failure
09/22/20111430001
 Transmission started making a whining sound at certain speeds about a year and a half earlier. toyota dealer confirmed odd noise from transmission, but said there was nothing they could do apart from removing transmission. i was in a nearby state when the tranny finally went out - 1st gear still works and sometimes 2nd gear, but 3rd, 4th and reverse all went out when i was accelerating onto the highway - a loud bang and then it revved up like it was in neutral even though it was in drive. i'm concerned this was a design flaw, but lexus does not agree and has offered no compensation up to this point. they said if i want to take it further i need the toyota dealer to confirm the tranny is out. i said that would not be difficult and am in the process of doing that now. i am curious how some people have gotten lexus to pay a portion of their bill. i ended up renting a uhaul and trailer to get it home. *tr
09/22/2011143000
 Transmission started making a whining sound at certain speeds about a year and a half earlier. toyota dealer confirmed odd noise from transmission, but said there was nothing they could do apart from removing transmission. i was in a nearby state when the tranny finally went out - 1st gear still works and sometimes 2nd gear, but 3rd, 4th and reverse all went out when i was accelerating onto the highway - a loud bang and then it revved up like it was in neutral even though it was in drive. i'm concerned this was a design flaw, but lexus does not agree and has offered no compensation up to this point. they said if i want to take it further i need the toyota dealer to confirm the tranny is out. i said that would not be difficult and am in the process of doing that now. i am curious how some people have gotten lexus to pay a portion of their bill. i ended up renting a uhaul and trailer to get it home.
08/06/20121400001
 While driving car lost power would not go forward. never gave me any warning no check engine light nothing! made it home at 5 mph. transmission went out with no warning! $3600 to fix at aamco, seems like they see this problem often in the rx300 models 1999-2003 mine is a 2000. called lexus but offered no help! very unhappy lexus owner. *tr
08/06/2012140000
 While driving car lost power would not go forward.never gave me any warning no check engine light nothing! made it home at 5 mph.transmission went out with no warning! $3600 to fix at aamco,seems like they see this problem often in the rx300 models 1999-2003 mine is a 2000.called lexus but offered no help! very unhappy lexus owner.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
12/03/200785000206/09/2004
 Complete transmission failure. after driving on expressway parked car in driveway at home. 20 min. later tried to put car in garage and it would not move. had it towed to shop on car carrier and found broken gears in transmission. *tr
11/13/2007163400112/15/1999
 My 2000 lexus rx300 transmission does not shift to higher gear. i purchased and used the car in usa until 09/2004 and then shipped it to bahrain. it is still in bahrain. how to get it fixed with no cost? since it is manufacturer failure. *tr
10/26/200789587104/12/2002
 Driving on the freeway my car ceased forward engagement. i was almost rear ended however, i was successful in maneuvering off the freeway. i was stranded out of town for several hours. after having towed to a lexus dealership in sacramento for an assessment it was determined that the transmission malfunctioned and advised the cost would be approximately $4,400. i contacted the lexus corporation because no transmission should fail only having 89,000 miles and 7 years of age with regular maintenance. i also found out that the lexus 1999 & 2000 rx300 models have a known transmission defect but no recall, why? *tr
10/11/20078600010/03/2004
 Lexus rx300 transmission failed on major highway at 86000 miles. internet search and phone calls to independent mechanics reveal many similar incidents and that this is a common problem lexus is aware of. car was 8 days passed a 3 year extended warranty provided at purchase, currently lexus will replace at about the cost that an independent will rebuild
08/11/200773200106/20/2007
 Automatic transmission failure on 2000 lexus rx300. *jb
08/21/200776000104/01/2007
 Tl*the contact owns a 2000 lexus rx300. while driving under 20 mph, the vehicle stalled. the vehicle did not lose power, but it failed to move. when the contact placed the gear in drive or reverse, the engine would rev but the vehicle would not move. the vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that the failure was uncommon and that the transmission needed to be replaced. the vehicle remains at the dealer. the failure and current mileages were 76,000.
08/17/2007103000107/06/2004
 I have a 2000 lexus rx 300 with 103,000 miles. while driving it suddenly lurched, would not go and lurched again. the transmission failed suddenly. it froze meaning would not shift, the car would not move etc. i have never had any other problems with this car. i have owned it for more than 3 years. when i bought it, it had 33,000 miles. it has been fully and regularly serviced according to the manual. the car now is in the transmission shop having the transmission replaced. *tr
07/21/2007126000104/21/2006
 2000 lexus rx300. the transmission went out unexpectedly at 126,000 miles. i have several other vehicles (maxima 292,000+ miles, silverado 1500 p/u 120,000+ miles and honda accord 240,000+ miles ) and none of the what is supposed to be inferior cars have had any sort of transmission problems. but a lexus , which is supposed to mean quality, goes out at only 126,000. according to recent research on the lexusclubowners.com forum it appears that the rx300's and the 330's are plagued with transmission problems that should be addressed by the lexus corporation. *jb
04/25/20071
 I have a transmission failure in a 2000 lexus rx 300. the total cost of the repair is estimated to be in excess of $3k. the specialist that estimated the repair cost told me it is a nation wide epic problem, (his words), and that he could not even guarantee the repair because of the high rate of repeat failure. *tr
02/12/200775500107/17/2000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2000 lexus rx300. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled and could not drive in reverse. when driving forward at 32 mph the vehicle stalled again. the motor was running but the vehicle was immobile. the vehicle was towed to the mechanic , who diagnosed the failure as the transmission. the current mileage is 76,500 ,and failure mileage was 75,500.*ak
03/09/20071010001
 Tl* the contact owns a 2000 lexus rx300. while sitting at a stop light the driver smelled smoke. the smoke was present in the transmission , and there was a loss of transmission fluid. the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as needing a new transmission. the vehicle was in the process of being repaired. the current and failure mileage were 101,000. *ak
02/26/200758000110/16/2006
 I have a lexus rx300. it is a 2000 with 58,000 miles. the transmission went out and lexus refuses to fix it under warranty (claiming its 6 year or 70,000 miles). now that i am doing research, it appears that this is a major problem with the rx300. it appears they have faulty transmissions. i am hoping you can help. the forums seem to indicate that if we file reports, hopefully there will be a recall or some sort of legal claim. the lexus of santa monica want to charge me $4,800, they offered a 10% discount. *jb
02/16/2007960001
 My 2000 lexus rx300 transmission failed at 96,000 miles. i was in heavy traffic and was able to use gravity to drift off to the side of the road. i waited 2.5 hours for a tow truck. *jb
01/30/200775420110/01/2000
 2000 model lexus rx300 with 75000 miles. transmission went out after spending a week in a cold (never abover freezing) parking lot. lexus dealer is claiming that the fluid needed to be replaced every 20k miles, although the user manual clearly states that under normal usage the transmission fluid does not need to be replaced. the transmission went out while driving, and no forward or reverse engagment was possible. lexus is quoting 5200 for a complete rebuilt (not even new) transmission. i have owned many cars and this is the first transmission problem i have ever had, and with many fewer miles than my other cars.
01/10/20071
 2000 rx300 with 111000 miles. oil changes were conducted at every 1500 miles and every major service was done as recommended. transmission completely died on the highway with no warning signs. *jb
09/01/200672000106/14/2004
 Failed transmission 2000 rx300 lexus miles 72000 i was told that this was the first of its kind at victory toyota seaside ca and the mechanics had never seen this before i was perusing regular maintenance schedules for the rx300 and found roughly 20 some failed transmissions listed on the 1999 and 2000 models. toyota is not taking responsibility for this crappy design but it was mentioned that the next year the design was improved!! we also paid 7000$ for the job and other folks paid on the order of 4000.*jb
01/02/2007116000110/18/2002
 After $3000+ in repairs for the main seals leaking, the rear seals leaking, timing belt replacement, and all other belts replaced, my check engine light appeared, and i brought it to the dealership. they later informed me that my engine is being replaced. they made no mention of the class action lawsuit, due to engine sludge build-up, that prompted the replacement, but i soon received a letter regarding it, and all the lexus and toyota models affected. i complained about the $3000 charge, but got no satisfaction from the dealership, but only the explanation, we had no way of knowing that the engine was going to develop 'sludge'. now, with less than 1000 miles on the new engine my check engine light comes on again, the car is making awful noises under the dash like a speaker is blown, and the transmission seems to not ever get into first gear. i took the car back to the dealership in austin, tx., and they inform me that i need a $5000 transmission and fuse box. a fuse box. excellent. i am hoping for a recall or another class action lawsuit after researching the problem on-line, and seeing the multitudes of people complaining of rx300 transmissions failing at relatively low mileage. *jb
08/09/200685199501/10/2000
 2000 lexus rx300 with 85k miles -- transmission failed while driving. car acted like it was in neutral. dealer has said it needs a completely new transmission. i have since found many, many similar stories on various web sites. if this had happened at highway speeds and in traffic i am sure there would have been an accident. *nm
07/25/200674268102/01/2004
 Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to place the vehicle into the drive gear the automatic transmission control module failed. neither the drive nor reverse gear could be engaged. the vehicle was unable to move and was towed to the dealership. upon inspection, the dealership discovered metal particles in the transmission oil. the diagnosis indentified that the transmission was lubricated with metal shavings and other contaminants therefore the entire transmission system would need to be replaced.
05/17/200695000108/01/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving the vehicle 35 mph the transmission failed. the vehicle acted as if it was in neutral. the vehicle restarted after a few minutes and was driven to a dealership. the vehicle continued to shift very hard and felt as if were going to stall. the dealership determined the transmission needed to be replaced. prior to this incident there was a whining sound coming from under the hood.
SEAT BELTS - FRONT - RETRACTOR
08/11/200662000105/02/2004
 Dt*: the contact stated without warning the front passenger side seat belt did not release from the retractor. the dealership determined the retractor needed to be replaced. 08/29/06 right front seatbelt assembly replaced goodwill warranty repair. *tt

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