There is a known problem with this year model they are built with a defective transmission... I have not had anything happen to me personally but I am terrified it will. There are plenty of verified situations reported online where the transmissions on this particular year model have been driving and serious events have occurred having to do with this defective transmission. That lexus is aware of. This should not be consumers problen it is lexus'faultband they should repair it.!
Vehicle safety record
1999 Lexus RX Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 1999 Lexus RX with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (29) and the engine & cooling (3). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2000 has 29.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical RX year, for its age
#128 most complained-about 1999 vehicle
- Complaints
- 35
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1999 Lexus RX problems
Share of all 35 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
No recalls for the 1999 Lexus RX
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Lexus RX. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.
What owners say
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35 complaints about the 1999 Lexus RX
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 lexus rx. The contact stated that the vehicle was at stand still on the outside of the garage and allowed the front passenger to exit the vehicle, when the vehicle accelerated on it's own. The contact stated the brake pedal was depressed with both feet but failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the garage wall, a table saw, a large wooden two layered work ben, a concrete wall, into a den downstairs of the home, a pool table, and a bar section. The air bags did...
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not deployed. The contact stated she sustained back, knee and shoulder injuries and was currently attending physical therapy. No police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. An unknown dealer was contacted and a voicemail was left. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR
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...
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able to coast off the highway to a gas station at the exit. I allowed the vehicle to cool down for about an hour and tried to move it again and it moved about twenty feet and stopped again. Fortunately I had not gotten on the road and was able to coast back to a parking area. I then had to have a tow truck pick up my car and tow it the 150 miles back to my city to my mechanic who informed me that the transmission was completely gone and needed to be replaced. My car had been well maintained and previously had no problems. The car was thoroughly checked out by a mechanic only three months before. [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
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 . For a lexus I am very upset because my mechanic has said its the transmission and that I will...
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have to replace it which costs 4-5,000 dollars and I mean is a 15 year old car worth putting 5 grand into it? I expected this car to last me a little bit longer I mean from what I was told this car should go to almost 300,000 but its obviously not. I am very disappointed that a lexus would have this common problem from what I've seen and read. *Js
TRANSMISSION. *TR
1999 LEXUS RX300 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Transmission failure at approximately 110,000 miles on 1999 lexus rx300. Traveling at low speed (25 mph) transmission "lurched" lost power and we drifted to a stop on a narrow two lane road - on a blind curve of course - at night. *Tr
At 80,000 our 1999 lexus rx 300 transmission had to be replaced for $3,500. Now at 144,000 the transmission needs to be replaced again for $4,000. *Tr
Transmission in my 1999 lexus rx300 failed prematurely at 110,000. I have read that there are numerous complaints with this model's transmission and feel that lexus should reimburse me for the $4000+ repair charges. *Tr
While driving at approximately 50 mph the engine began to rev up without input nor increase in speed. Transmission failure required tow to shop for repair. Inspection by shop showed complete failure of planetary gear and resultant damage to other gears. Required complete rebuild of transmission in excess of $4600 with an additional $1300 in subsequent repairs due to poor rebuild. *Jb
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. While driving 60 mph, the transmission suddenly failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and lexus stated that the warranty expired. The failure mileage was 135,000 and current mileage was 140,000. Updated 10/09/07. *Jb
1999 Lexus rx300 awd, transmission failed while driving on the highway at speed limit of 75 mph. Transmission went in to neutral, and created a serious driving hazard that required maneuvering through traffic with no control to get off the highway. The transmission would not go back in to gear and there was no way to control the speed of the car. *Jb
Transmission failure for 1999 lexus rx300. Occurred at high speed on interstate. 110K miles with recommended service. *Tr
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY RX 300 YEAR 1999 WENT OUT. *TR
I purchased my 99 rx 300 in february of 2006 at 51,800 miles with records of all service done when needed with a lexus dealer. I believed I had purchased a beautiful car with very low miles for the year that would last me for a few years. At 60,800 miles the car suddenly went in to neutral on the highway. Had to be towed to my mechanic and was informed that my transmission needed to be rebuilt. This was a 3,600 job. Also have had to replace all 4 struts at another $1,000. I informed lexus of my frustration. ...
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Have not received any support or financial assistance. Not happy with this vehicle and will probably never buy another lexus as I don't feel they are standing behind their product.
As I entered the interstate in the 1999 rx300, it wouldn't change gears. I barely avoided a traffic accident and was barely able to exit the interstate. As I tried to find somewhere to pull over the rpms climbed higher and higher , and I wasn't able to travel over 20 mph. Once I pulled over and tried to park the car I discovered that the car wouldn't reverse. I took it to a mechanic, he said the transmission failed. I had to pay $3,000 for the repairs. The car had 157,000 miles. One should get more miles out of...
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a lexus, especially when paying as much as you did for the car. I was still not sure why this isn't a recall. I noticed there were numerous complaints concerning the transmission. Many of the transmission failures happened exactly the same way mine did. Had lexus looked at the fact that the transmission failures continuously happen to people while they were driving on major highways and interstate? That was a huge risk for lexus to take. This should seriously bring me a recall. *Ak
Rear seat belt passenger side is locked up and will not extend. We are unable to properly place seatbelt - a definite safety concern. At this moment, we are in the process of getting it looked at by a lexus dealer. *Jb
Tl*- while driving a 1999 lexus rx300 at the speed of 70 mph the engine light turned on, and the vehicle decelerated. The engine seemed as though it was in neutral. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power. She pulled to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, but it would not go into drive or reverse gear. The vehicle was making a whining noise. She took the vehicle to the local mechanic, and was informed that there was a small crack in the exhaust manifold. She stated that when the weather was...
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cold the vehicle seemed to stay in first gear a little longer than normal before it shifted. She informed the dealership of the failure on 01/2006. The dealership informed her that this was a normal reaction of the vehicle with this type of transmission. They said that the transmission needed to be replaced, which was the first indication that the vehicle had a transmission failure. The failure mileage was 124,972.*Ak
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB
Transmission in 1999 lexus rx300 failed on major highway. Managed to pull off into a gas station and await a tow truck. Car completely stalled. Would not go back or forward. Had to put in a new transmission at a cost of $4,016.22. The car had 87,387 miles. In speaking with the person doing the repair, this was the 4th time that month that a transmission had to be replaced on a '99 rx 300 lexus that had low mileage. Car had been properly serviced. Different websites state that this is a design defect in the...
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rx 300 model. In speaking with lexus customer support, they claimed that there was nothing that could be done in the way of helping to cover the cost. Coincidentally, a member of my family had the same thing happened in 2005 to a rx 300 with mileage at 75,000 and lexus covered the transmission part. *Jb
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 . *Nm
Lexus rx 300 engine died at 90k with no warning. Was stranded on dark highway. Paid 4k to replace engine. Very disappointing for such expensive car. *Nm
Tl*- the contact stated that the 1999 lexus rx 300, had transmission failure on 01/27/07. While driving 65 mph with good the road conditions the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact turned on emergency lights and pulled to the side of the road. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealership, and was informed that the transmission failed. The contact stated that the dealership informed him it was an internal failure. The dealership informed him that there was a sealant problem with the transmission. The...
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dealership informed him he would be responsible for purchase of a new transmission. The contact stated that there were only 71,000 miles on vehicle, and that he did not have any problems with transmission before this incident. *Ak
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. I have had minor things go wrong with it,...
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among those an oil gasket that cost $1500 to replace in the oil pan and multiple bouts of o2 sensors and air flow meters going out or needing to be cleaned. Still I expected to drive the car for 250,000 miles because of the reputation. Now I don't know what to do. My daughter loves the car, but can't afford these costly repairs. I wouldn't feel right selling the car to an unsuspecting stranger either. I think lexus should stand behind this car and reimburse my costs for items like transmission and front end repairs that should be something that should not go out at this mileage. *Jb
Lexus RX: every year compared
All RX years1999 Lexus RX vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Lexus RX | 35 | 0 | D | |
| 1999 Land Rover Range Rover | 29 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 1999 BMW X5 | 0 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 1999 Lexus RX300 | 221 | 7 | D | Compare |
| 1999 Lexus GS300 | 38 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1999 Lexus ES300 | 37 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1999 Lexus LS400 | 22 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1999 Lexus GS400 | 17 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1999 Lexus LX470 | 14 | 1 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1999 Lexus RX
Does the 1999 Lexus RX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Lexus RX right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Lexus RX?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (29), engine & cooling (3), seats & seat belts (3).
How many complaints has the 1999 Lexus RX had?
35 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 30, 2006 and the latest on October 30, 2020. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1999 Lexus RX a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 30 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Lexus RX year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Lexus RX years have the most complaints?
1999 (35), 2000 (29), 2001 (19). See every Lexus RX year compared.
What should I do if my 1999 Lexus RX has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data