Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Lexus RX300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 06/16/16 I pulled into driveway engage emergency brakes place vehicle in park and got off. Immediately I realized vehicle was rolling forward I attempted to start to brake and got nothing. I noticed that vehicle was in reverse I attempted to place in park and got nothing lever was free sliding not engaging any gears. I immediately got online to attempt to troubleshoot issue and ran into a handful of blogs relating to an issue in gear shifter cable with a plastic retaining clip which Lexus uses on cable. I had no indication or any sort of warning of this issue before it occurred it just happen out of the blue and it could have been worse if I was actually on the road when this happened. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Lexus RX300. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH uphill there was a burning smell and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated the transmission failed. The dealer stated there were no recalls and the repair cost would be $5000. The manufacturer advised the contact that a representative would return the call. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Lexus RX300. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into drive or reverse. While attempting to make a turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the hood of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 300,000.
The wheels of a 1999 RX300 locked up at highway speed causing the vehicle to spin 220 degrees and crash into a drainage ditch. Transfer case was replaced by dealer/insurance co. ABS sensors are rusting at the wheels and require repair after only 23 months/27K miles since the last ABS sensor overhaul. Lexus has the transfer case.
Transmission locked up at @55mph on rt 100 on a clear warm sunny day while driving in a straight line. The wheels locked up and the 99 Lexus RX300 spun 220 degrees into an adjacent stone lined drainage ditch. Len stoler Lexus replaced the transmission.
I was driving down the street doing about 40 or so and all four wheels locked up at once suddenly. It causing the car to a come pleat stop in the road. The car behind me had to lock up all most causing a accident.
Lexus RX300-have owned car since beginning 1999-never had a problem with car except normal tune ups and new brakes-however, that all changed September 2004. Yes, I've had the car 6 six years but with only 68,000 miles on the car which is considered low mileage use. While traveling to san diego to take my granddaughter back home from my current home at the time in aliso viejo, california my auto while on the I-5 just completely dropped out of gear-I had enough speed going that I was able to get off the freeway and came to a stop at the camp pendleton marine base front gates. The soldiers were able to push my car behind their station gate until aaa could send a truck to tow me and for my son to pick up my granddaughter there. My transmission was completely gone and cost me over $4,000.00 to get it fixed. …
I own a 99 RX300 AWD. Purchased the car from a dealership corporation that also owned Lexus of serramonte in sf bay area at 68K miles. The vehicle apparently had all services done on time as my dealer noted and was serviced at their facility since the vehicle left their dealer lot. So the car was locally owned and repaired. At 74K my transmission started to act up where I found the car to be bellow 20% of its temperature the car will either not shift into 4th or over drive. My dealer told me to replace the transmission fluid but that only worsened the problem where if the engine is bellow that temperature it will start jumping when going from 1st to 2nd, and takes a while to shift between gears. The dealer tells me that this is normal operation of any car at 90K miles. …
On 12-31-2007 my husband and I were coming home from a restaurant. We live in the country,so there are no street lights and it was late at night. We were driving home and all of a sudden our Lexus stopped accelerating was no place to pull off the road,needless to say the vehicle would not pull in drive or reverse. Si we had to sit there in the road. After a period of time the Lexus would pull again not far and then it would quit pulling. I believe this is a safety hazard and something has to be done about it. Since January 2008 I have read so many complaints on the internet people having the same problem. I filed a report with NHTSA and as far as I know there has not been an investigation you don't think transmission failure is a hazard please let me know. …
I own a 1999 Lexus RX300 FWD. I have had multiple problems with this vehicle. When I bought it jan 2008 ignition coil 1 and 3 failed. Two months later 3, , and 6 failed. Both times when vehicle failed I was driving on interstate 85 vehicle would not go over 45 and would not go into overdrive!!! Now the transmission is acting up. It is slipping and also decides to gear down when doing 70mph down the interstate. Was at a stop light and the light turned green and the vehicle wouldn't move, finally caught gear and jerked. Was almost hit by oncoming traffic. I do not feel safe in this so called "luxury vehicle". It is still under extended warranty, and is going to Lexus dealership tomm. I cant wait to hear what they say the out come is. Car has been fully serviced and up to date. Just came out of Lexus dealership 2 weeks ago having problems!!??? Now its going back. …
Transmission complaints in other RX300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Lexus RX300?
NHTSA has 129 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Lexus RX300, 58% of the model year's 221 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (110 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Lexus RX300 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 Lexus RX300, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Lexus RX300 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.