1999 Lexus RX300 Problems

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.

138,000 USED VEHICLE. UPON PURCHASE DID TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP AND ALL BELTS. THEN HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. WENT ON A 500 MILE ROUND TRIP AND UPON RETURNING LOST OVERDRIVE. MADE IT HOME THEN NEXT DAY A SEVERE LOSE OF POWER AND TRANS WOULD NOT SHIFT. AFTER RESTARTING WOULD SHIFT BUT NO OVERDRIVE. AFTER INVESTIGATING FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS WHEN YOU QUERY LEXUS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I CAN UNDERSTAND LOSING A TRANSMISSION BUT READING ALL THESE COMPLAINANTS IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS ABOVE 85 MPH. DURING THE INCIDENT, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE FLAMES CREATED A HOLE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (O'BRIEN LEXUS IN BELLEVUE WA) WERE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,825. *TT *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READER. IF THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READER WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT SEVERAL DIFFERENT FAILURE CODES APPEARED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES FOR SEVERAL CODES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE, BUT WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER A REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

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. I HAVE READ THAT LEXUS IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THIS MISTAKE AND FEEL THAT IT IS HORRIBLE TO ALLOW A COMPANY THAT SELLS SUCH EXPENSIVE VEHICLES TO EMPLOY THIS PRACTICE AND ENDANGER CONSUMERS, SPECIFICALLY FOR SUCH AN INEXPENSIVE PIECE. I HAD TO GET UNDER VEHICLE TO MANUALLY ENGAGE TRASMISSION INTO NEUTRAL TO BE ABLE TO START VEHICLE AND PROPERLY PARK BY AGAIN GETTING UNDER VEHICLE AND PLACING IN REVERSE AND THE DRIVE, I WAS UNABLE TO GET BACK INTO PARK FOR SOME REASON WILL LIFT VEHICLE IN THE MORNING AND ATTEMPT TO SEE WHY WILL ALSO BE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR AND WILL THEN HAVE MORE OF AN IDEA OF THE ISSUE AND PICTURES RELATING TO THIS MATTER

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.

TENGO. UN. PROBLEMA. CON. LOS. SINTURONES.BOLSAS. DE. AIRE. Y. ELECTROCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A STOPPED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND LEFT KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.

1999 LEXUS RX 300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE FAILURE AND ACCELERATION ISSUES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60MPH. *LD *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS ABOVE 85 MPH. DURING THE INCIDENT, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE FLAMES CREATED A HOLE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (O'BRIEN LEXUS IN BELLEVUE WA) WERE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,825. *TT *TR

The contact owns a 1999 Lexus RX300. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes failed and could not be depressed to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the side of the road and stopped by shifting into neutral. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where it was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V012000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 249,000.

1999 LEXUS RX 300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE FAILURE AND ACCELERATION ISSUES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60MPH. *LD *JS

TENGO. UN. PROBLEMA. CON. LOS. SINTURONES.BOLSAS. DE. AIRE. Y. ELECTROCO

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT

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. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH 1999 RX300. MY TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. WE ONLY HAVE 85,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT WE SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION OIL MORE FREQUENTLY. HOWEVER, WE WERE NEVER APPROACHED WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION DURING SERVICE VISITS. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE SLUGGISH. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN CA AND TWO YEARS AGO MOVED TO NC. DURING ONE OF OUR FIRST SERVICE VISITS, WE ASKED THEM ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE. THE SERVICE STAFF AT THE TIME TOLD US IT WAS INHERENT TO THE DESIGN. EVEN WORST, WE BOUGHT THE PRE-OWN VEHICLE IN CA. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS THROUGHLY INSPECTED. THEY EVEN PRESENTED A INSPECTION CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATE. WE I PRESENTED THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE DEALER IN NC, THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT IT DOES NOT MATCH THE VIN FOR MY VEHICLE. ALSO, THEY CAN NOT TRACK ANY INFORMATION OF THIS INSPECTION IN THEIR INTERNAL NETWORK. NOW I HAVE A CASTISTROPHIC FAILURE ON A VEHICLE THAT I BOUGHT FOR $30,000 WITH ONLY 85,000 MILES!?!? PLEASE HELP WITH ANY RECOMMENDATIONS. THANKS.

TENGO. UN. PROBLEMA. CON. LOS. SINTURONES.BOLSAS. DE. AIRE. Y. ELECTROCO

1. ON 08/17/11 AROUND 9PM, OUR 1999 LEXUS RX300 WAS SUDDENLY FAILED IN HIGHWAY OF THE YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN. 2. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO LEXUS DEALER SAN JOSE, CA. THE TECHNICIAN IDENTIFIED THAT IT CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WE NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS CAUSED US $5000. I TOLD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON TO KEEP THE REPLACED PART TILL NEXT TUESDAY WHICH IS 08/23/11. WE GOGGLED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS THE KNOWN ISSUE OF RX300 BETWEEN 1999 THROUGH 2002 MODEL YEARS. THE TRANSAXLE (LEXUS TRANSMISSION) WOULD FAIL AFTER 80,000 MILES OF DRIVING ACCORDING TO OWNERS WHO REPORTED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OUR CAR IS JUST OVER 80,000 MILES. WE DON'T DRIVE THAT MUCH ALTHOUGH IT IS 1999 MODEL. ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE ON THE EHOW WEBSITE, THERE IS NO FACTORY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO ADDRESS THE TRANSMISSION PREMATURE FAILURE ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY MOMS INCLUDING MYSELF WHO DRIVE THIS CAR EVERYDAY WITH YOUNG KID ON BOARD. MY SON IS 7 YEARS OLD. I PERSONAL KNOW AT LEAST 3 MOMS WITH 4 KIDS (5-7 YEARS OLD) WHO DRIVE SAME MODEL YEAR CAR. PLEASE WORK ON THIS CASE ASAP. AT LEASE PLEASE RELEASE THE WARNING TO THE CUSTOMER TO CHECK THEIR TRANSMISSION. WE HOPE THAT WE ARE THE LAST PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE THIS TRAGEDY INCIDENT. THANKS GOD WE WERE SAFE. THIS YOSEMITE TRIP WE PLANNED TO GO DURING THE WINTER TIME. THANKS GOD WE DIDN'T MAKE IT AT THAT TIME. THE CAR FAILED AREA, OUR ATT CELL EVEN COULDN'T DIAL OUT 911. THANKS GOD THERE IS NICE PERSON STOPPED HIS CAR AND SAVED US. THANKS GOD THE CAR DIDN'T FAILED AT MOUNTAIN FIRE AREA, MY SON HAD ASTHMA REACTION TO THE SMOCK. THANKS GOD THAT THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND US AND THERE IS A HIGHWAY TURN OVER RIGHT AHEAD OF US. THANK GOD WE ARE SAFE ALTHOUGH WE WERE SCARED TO DEATH AND COULDN'T SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READER. IF THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READER WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT SEVERAL DIFFERENT FAILURE CODES APPEARED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES FOR SEVERAL CODES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE, BUT WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER A REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

ON JANUARY 17TH, 2016, I TOOK MY '99 LEXUS RX300 TO CHURCH, PARKED THE CAR, AND JOINED THE SUNDAY SERVICE. AN HOUR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE (DURING WHICH TIME IT WAS NOT RUNNING OR IN USE), I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM IT AND WENT OUTSIDE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FRONT END WAS BURSTING IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, TIRES, AND DASHBOARD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE; IT WAS SEEMINGLY RANDOM.

I PURCHASED USED 1999 LEXUS RX300 IN 2008 AND SO FAR I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO UNEXPECTED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, BOTH AIR RATIO SENSORS, BOTH KNOCK SENSORS, OXYGEN SENSOR, FRONT STRUT MOUNTS, AND NOW POSSIBLY HAVE TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN (NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY). I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE 1999 TO 2001 RX300S WERE SO PROBLEMATIC. SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT, I AM STUCK FOOTING THE BILL FOR ALL THESE REPAIRS. WHICH FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED ARE ATTRIBUTED TO BAD ENGINEERING. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPAIR A VEHICLE WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY KNOWN FOR QUALITY. THE PROBLEMS THAT I'VE MENTIONED ARE JUST THE MAJOR REPAIRS. I HAVE OTHER MINOR ISSUES SUCH AS REAR POWER WINDOW MUST REMAIN LOCKED OR IT OPENS ON IT'S OWN, DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE,AND POWER ROOF GETS STUCK OPEN INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 LEXUS RX300. I HAVE NOTICE VIA THE INTERNET THAT THESE ARE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEMS BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING. THESE ARE THE INCIDENCES THAT I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH: * DEBRIS CAN GET INTO THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE THAT ALLOWS AIR INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HAVE A LOW IDLE SPEED, OR STALL WHEN IT IS COLD. (THIS OCCURRED IN THE PAST, PERHAPS 2004. LEXUS EVENTUALLY REPLACED MY ENGINE IN 2005.) * SLUDGE CAN BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. I ROUTINELY HAVE TO HAVE THE SLUDGE CLEANED OUT TO AVOID ENGINE PROBLEMS. * THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR SENDS INCORRECT INFORMATION TO THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION. (THIS STARTED OCCURRING ON DECEMBER 11, 2008.) * THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE A COMPONENT OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR STOPS WORKING, AND THE CAR IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROPER RATIO OF AIR TO FUEL FOR THE ENGINE. (THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST, PERHAPS 2005. WE HAD TO PAY FOR NEW AIR FLOW SENSORS.) * LIGHT BULBS FREQUENTLY BURN OUT IN THE TAILLIGHTS. * THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES VERY LOUD NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS. THE SUPPORT BUSHING FOR THE SUSPENSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. (THIS BEGAN HAPPENING IN DECEMBER 2007. LEXUS TOLD US WE NEED NEW STRUTS.) * A THROBBING WIND NOISE FROM THE MOONROOF. ONE CANNOT HAVE THE MOONROOF OPEN AT THE SAME TIME AS THE WINDOWS OR ONES EAR DRUMS EXPERIENCE SEVERE PAIN. (THIS HAS EXISTED FROM PURCHASE.) I BELIEVE THE 1999 LEXUS RX 300 MIGHT VERY WELL BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE LEMON LAWS, YET WE'RE NOT SEEING PROBLEMS BEING ADDRESSED WITH RECALLS. *TR

I HAVE A POPPING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HOPE THAT THE STEERING IS NOT LOST FROM THIS POPPING. *TR

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 LEXUS RX300. I HAVE NOTICE VIA THE INTERNET THAT THESE ARE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEMS BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING. THESE ARE THE INCIDENCES THAT I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH: * DEBRIS CAN GET INTO THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE THAT ALLOWS AIR INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HAVE A LOW IDLE SPEED, OR STALL WHEN IT IS COLD. (THIS OCCURRED IN THE PAST, PERHAPS 2004. LEXUS EVENTUALLY REPLACED MY ENGINE IN 2005.) * SLUDGE CAN BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. I ROUTINELY HAVE TO HAVE THE SLUDGE CLEANED OUT TO AVOID ENGINE PROBLEMS. * THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR SENDS INCORRECT INFORMATION TO THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION. (THIS STARTED OCCURRING ON DECEMBER 11, 2008.) * THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE A COMPONENT OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR STOPS WORKING, AND THE CAR IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROPER RATIO OF AIR TO FUEL FOR THE ENGINE. (THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST, PERHAPS 2005. WE HAD TO PAY FOR NEW AIR FLOW SENSORS.) * LIGHT BULBS FREQUENTLY BURN OUT IN THE TAILLIGHTS. * THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES VERY LOUD NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS. THE SUPPORT BUSHING FOR THE SUSPENSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. (THIS BEGAN HAPPENING IN DECEMBER 2007. LEXUS TOLD US WE NEED NEW STRUTS.) * A THROBBING WIND NOISE FROM THE MOONROOF. ONE CANNOT HAVE THE MOONROOF OPEN AT THE SAME TIME AS THE WINDOWS OR ONES EAR DRUMS EXPERIENCE SEVERE PAIN. (THIS HAS EXISTED FROM PURCHASE.) I BELIEVE THE 1999 LEXUS RX 300 MIGHT VERY WELL BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE LEMON LAWS, YET WE'RE NOT SEEING PROBLEMS BEING ADDRESSED WITH RECALLS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS RX300. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED AND MADE VISIBILITY VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 LEXUS RX300. I HAVE NOTICE VIA THE INTERNET THAT THESE ARE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEMS BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING. THESE ARE THE INCIDENCES THAT I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH: * DEBRIS CAN GET INTO THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE THAT ALLOWS AIR INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HAVE A LOW IDLE SPEED, OR STALL WHEN IT IS COLD. (THIS OCCURRED IN THE PAST, PERHAPS 2004. LEXUS EVENTUALLY REPLACED MY ENGINE IN 2005.) * SLUDGE CAN BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. I ROUTINELY HAVE TO HAVE THE SLUDGE CLEANED OUT TO AVOID ENGINE PROBLEMS. * THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR SENDS INCORRECT INFORMATION TO THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION. (THIS STARTED OCCURRING ON DECEMBER 11, 2008.) * THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE A COMPONENT OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR STOPS WORKING, AND THE CAR IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROPER RATIO OF AIR TO FUEL FOR THE ENGINE. (THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST, PERHAPS 2005. WE HAD TO PAY FOR NEW AIR FLOW SENSORS.) * LIGHT BULBS FREQUENTLY BURN OUT IN THE TAILLIGHTS. * THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES VERY LOUD NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS. THE SUPPORT BUSHING FOR THE SUSPENSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. (THIS BEGAN HAPPENING IN DECEMBER 2007. LEXUS TOLD US WE NEED NEW STRUTS.) * A THROBBING WIND NOISE FROM THE MOONROOF. ONE CANNOT HAVE THE MOONROOF OPEN AT THE SAME TIME AS THE WINDOWS OR ONES EAR DRUMS EXPERIENCE SEVERE PAIN. (THIS HAS EXISTED FROM PURCHASE.) I BELIEVE THE 1999 LEXUS RX 300 MIGHT VERY WELL BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE LEMON LAWS, YET WE'RE NOT SEEING PROBLEMS BEING ADDRESSED WITH RECALLS. *TR

ON JANUARY 17TH, 2016, I TOOK MY '99 LEXUS RX300 TO CHURCH, PARKED THE CAR, AND JOINED THE SUNDAY SERVICE. AN HOUR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE (DURING WHICH TIME IT WAS NOT RUNNING OR IN USE), I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM IT AND WENT OUTSIDE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FRONT END WAS BURSTING IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, TIRES, AND DASHBOARD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE; IT WAS SEEMINGLY RANDOM.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DROPPING MELTING, BURNING DEBRIS ONTO THE ROADWAY. THE CAR HAD 16,000 MILES AT THE TIME. A PLASTIC "UNDER ENGINE COVER" AND TWO VACUUM HOSES WERE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THERE WAS NO RESPONSIBILITY ON THEIR PART FOR THE FIRE OR DAMAGE. THEY SUGGESTED A PLASTIC BAG OR SIMILAR OBJECT BLEW UP FROM THE ROADWAY SETTING THE VEHICLE COMPONENTS ON FIRE. ANOTHER SUGGESTION WAS THAT A SERVICE PERSON LEFT SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE HADN'T BEEN SERVICED FOR ALMOST 4 MONTHS AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN OVER 1000 MILES SINCE THE LAST SERVICE. NO SIGNS OF BURNING WERE FOUND ON OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE DEALER'S EXPLANATION OF A PIECE OF TRASH BLOWN UNDERNEATH THE CAR SHOULD SET VEHICLE COMPONENTS ON FIRE AND SUSPECT A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION.*AK

THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2013- THE CAR GOES UP TO 35 MPHS AND THEN LOSES POWER AND THEN SHUTS OFF. I HAVE TO FORCEFULLY PULL IT OVER TO THE SIDE. FIRST TIME IT WAS WORKED ON REPLACED BATTERY AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE COMPUTER. A YEAR LATER AT 136,000 MILES THE CAR MAKES ELECTRICAL NOISES AND HAS DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND SHIFTING ABOVE 3000 RPMS. WHEN BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND SOLENOID. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

I HAVE A POPPING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HOPE THAT THE STEERING IS NOT LOST FROM THIS POPPING. *TR

I OWN 1999 LEXUS RX300, SINCE FEBRUARY OF THE LAST YEAR, I HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR'S ENGINE (IT HAS SLUDGE), TRANSMISSION, EMISSION SYSTEM, AND OVER USE OF GAS PER MILE. FIRST PROBLEM STARTED DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF MY OWNERSHIP AND SINCE THAT TIME THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT WEEKS IN AUTO REPAIR SHOPS. LEXUS DEALER AND OTHERS CHARGED ME LAVISH FEES BUT NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEMS AND LEXUS DEALERS EVEN NEVER ADMITTED THAT SERIOUS PROBLEMS EXISTED. *JB

ENGINE STALLS AT IDLE, DEALER CLAIMS FROM HIGH OIL VISCOSITY DESPITE OIL BEING CHANGED EVERY 5000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE ENGINE IS MOUNTED THAT IT RUNS HOT AND THAT ONLY CERTAIN OILS ARE RECCOMENDED. SAYS THAT QUAKER STATE OIL, WHICH WE USED, SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES SINCE IT IS NOT "AS GOOD" AS THE OIL THEY USE AT THE DEALER. THIS IS NOT SUGGESTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND I WOULD SUSPECT POOR ENGINE DESIGN THAT ALLOWS DEVELOPMENT OF EXCESSIVE HEAT. SECONDLY, THE GAS TANK SENSOR FAILED- GAS GAUGE RAN HALF WHEN THE TANK WAS EMPTY. DEALER SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS "SEVERAL" TIMES. SUSPECT PROBLEM WITH THIS COMPONENT.

1999 LEXUS RX 300 WITH REAR/HATCH DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE HAS NOTIFIED LEXUS AND LEARNED FROM FRIENDS THAT SIMILAR MODELS WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK OR OPEN EITHER MANUALLY OR BY USING THE REMOTE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER LEARNED THERE WAS NO MECHANISM TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. *JB

1999 LEXUS RX 300 DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE TAILGATE DOOR LATCH.*MR THE REAR HATCH HANDLE SEIZED AND IT DIDN'T OPERATE WITH THE REMOTE KEY ENTRY OR POWER LOCKS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY CLOSE THE HATCH TO PREVENT IT FROM ACCIDENTALLY OPENING WHILE DRIVING, WHICH DID HAPPEN TWICE. *JB

THE HEATED SEAT IN MY LEXUS RX300 HAS BECOME SO HOT THAT IT HAS BURNT THE LEATHER AND IT HAS ALSO BURNT MY LEFT LEG. YOU CAN TURN THE HEATER OFF BUT IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO COOL DOWN.