1999 Lexus RX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 83%of 35 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Lexus RX, 83% of the 35 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving my Lexus RX 300 1999 it feels very forced and when on the express way the RPM goes up to 5 when im driving 60mph and when I come to a complete stop and its time to go my car stalls as if it was in neutral very scary when I have my newborn and a 7 year old in the car. I have maintained my car to the upmost standards from the best gas synthetic oil changes constantly checking everything is in good conditions . …”
NHTSA complaint #10592406, filed 2014-05, 150,000 miles“While driving my 1999 rx300 on the highway, the transmission went out on me. I felt I was losing power and decided to pull over on the shoulder. I then try to turn off my engine to see if restarting it back up will resolve the issue. When I start the car back up and put it on drive, the car will not move. Needless to say I had to call a tow to tow my car back home.”
NHTSA complaint #10177401, filed 2006-12, 80,228 miles“Recently took my car in and found out that my transmission had gone out after 108,000 miles and would be $4200 to replace rebuild. After researching about the Lexus rx300 1999 model I am finding out there are several problems with this vehicles transmission .”
NHTSA complaint #10182504, filed 2007-02, 10,800 miles“While driving down the interstate returning from a family trip from mississippi at approximately 150 miles from my home the rx300 stopped on the highway and would not pull forward in any drive position. It was about 10pm and most businesses were closed. After pulling off the road, I tried putting the car in various drive positions and it would never gain any momentum. I slowly pulled back onto the highway using my emergency blinkers while the car would pull slowly at times and not at all at others. Finally I was able to coast off the highway to a gas station at the exit. …”
NHTSA complaint #10667794, filed 2014-12, 161,808 miles“Two days after purchasing a 2007 Lexus rx350, I gave my 1999 Lexus RX 300 which has 103,000 miles on it to my daughter. She drove the car 300 miles home to dallas only to have the transmission begin to balk at going into reverse the next day. The transmission place wants $4000 to rebuild the transmission, and there is also a bad rattle in the front end of the vehicle that I fear to find out what it may be. I bought this car partly for Lexus's reputation for reliability. …”
NHTSA complaint #10177952, filed 2007-01, 104,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10205346Oct 16, 2014Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 5 | 8% |
| 2023 | 13 | 21% |
| 2022 | 4 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 6% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 14% |
| 2015 | 3 | 15% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 8% |
| 2011 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 7% |
| 2007 | 3 | 5% |
| 2006 | 2 | 6% |
| 2005 | 3 | 11% |
| 2004 | 5 | 13% |
| 2002 | 5 | 42% |
| 2001 | 14 | 74% |
| 2000 | 25 | 86% |
| 1999 | 29 | 83% |
Other parts of the 1999 Lexus RX
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Lexus RX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology