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 2000 Lexus RX300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 [phone]) 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. …
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Drove my Lexus RX300 to lake tahoe. It was 28 degrees as I entered the tahoe area. The transmission begain to slip, not maintaining engagement. I was able to get to the hotel but about an hour after registering I tried to drive and the transmission would not engage. It was now 24 degrees. I tried again in the morning but it still would not engage and now there was a whirling sound. I had it towed to the Lexus dealership one hundred miles away. The transmission failed due to the front-side transmission pump. Lexus/Toyota will not replace the part. Since it is an internal transmission problem they will only replace the whole transmission. Lexus policy. It is a 15 hour repair. Even if it were possible to replace the pump it would have taken more hours to repair. The contact was advised by the dealer prior to purchasing it that it was in impeccable condition. …
RX300 failed to go into reverse from park in October 2007. Took to Toyota dealer insofar as no local Lexus dealer in bend, oregon. Flushed the transmission fluid. Problem returned 4 months later at 2,000 miles into the new atf, with occasional failure in drive gear. 4/9/08 vehicle was moving in drive from home garage when transmission went bump/thump twice. 50 yards further forward, the transmission began a grinding noise. Pulled to side of road and vehicle would not go into reverse, but drive forward was okay. Returned to vehicle in 2 hrs and restarted the engine. No reverse gear when shifter was in reverse. Neutral would allow freewheel. Tried to turn 180 and return to home garage. Vehicle was now perpendicular to both lanes of traffic. Tried to engage neutral to freewheel in reverse. Vehicle seemed to be in gear or park when in neutral on the shifter. …
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. …
Transmission complaints in other RX300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Lexus RX300?
NHTSA has 138 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Lexus RX300, 64% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (112 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Lexus RX300 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Lexus RX300. 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 2000 Lexus RX300 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
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.