1999 Lexus RX problems
NHTSA has received 41 complaints about the 1999 Lexus RX, and 59% of them involve transmission. After that come drivetrain & axles (12%) and engine (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 41 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Transmission 59% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 103,000 miles 36 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 36 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 102,000 miles. For transmission specifically, the median reported mileage is about 102,000 miles (22 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1999 ranks 20th most-complained-about out of 23 model years of the Lexus RX with enough data (1 complaint in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Early failure of transmission after following maintenance schedule and changing fluid every 30k miles. Transmission failed while drive in the desert 75 miles west of salt lake city, utah. Transmission replaced at roseville lexus, the replacement would fail to go into drive when the gas pedal was push after stopping causing many near collisions from the rear during heavy traffic, second transmission was replaced finally, but the stabilizer bar mounts were left disconnected and rubbing on the brake lines and drive…
My 1999 rx300 AWD (u140f) transmission gave 2 shudders while driving at 40 MPH and then quit pulling except for 1 blk or so after restarting the engine. Took it to transmission specialist. He said planetary gears wiped out. Obtained new ones and repaired ok. 1 month later I parked and when restarted, it would not go into reverse or neutral. Had to drag out of space. FWD ok. Drove 200 miles back to transmission shop. Planetaries again. Replaced. Ok 1 wk. Replaced whole transmission with one from highlander.
The transmission on my 1999 lexus rx 300 needed to be replaced with only 70,000 miles on the car. I have also had to replace the struts, the radio antenna motor and have a major oil leak repaired.