I bought an 06 GS300 RWD back in Feb '12 with 60k miles. Car has so much comfort and features and with all black interior, it can't go wrong. Not until couple weeks ago when it started to throw Engine Light and Check VSC notification on the display. Reset the battery twice in the last 2 months, and yesterday it threw the same symptom but this time transmission also acting up. It won't shift beyond 4th or 5th gear, rpm stays at 4500 rpm even when I go 60 mph. Engine is whining like it won't go to the next gear.

I decided to bring it in to Tustin Lexus to have it diagnosed ($146) and couple hours later according to the service manager, transmission will need to be replaced, WHAT??? It is only 66k miles and it is an 06 and I would need to replace the transmission already? This is worse than my beat up 00 Mitsu Galant that I had for couple years, never had any problem with that car whatsoever. The worst thing is the drivetrain warranty expired in Jan '12. even it is less thatn 70k miles, doesn't really matter to them.

So I called couple places including Corner 3 Garage in Lake Forest (SoCal peeps should know this place) and they recommended me to call Lexus Corporate (in Torrance, CA) and fight for the warranty since it is pretty low on miles and the warranty was only couple months passed. I did that soon as I hung up with Corner 3, it's a very good advice btw. Talked to Customer Satisfaction personnel at the Corporate and explained everything. The person I talked to has passed all my info to their Dept Specialist, he said they will review and make a decision whether they will give me some sort of assistance.

I should hear something back in these 1-2 days, meanwhile, the Service Manager at Tustin Lexus is kind enough to let me keep the loaner (CT200H) until we hear something back from their Corporate.

My question is:
Anyone else had experience the same thing? I did my research and there is not too many out there regarding transmission on the 06 GS300 RWD. Try to see if there is any other alternatives other than replacing the transmission. I called around and price to have the transmission REBUILT is around $4k with 3-4 days turn around, outrageous. I would just park my car in the garage if I ever need to go that route, maybe build a manual trans in the future when I have enough fund.

Please advice!!

 

Well honestly its a rare issue, If lexus won't cover it fully then I suggest getting one from a wrecked GS300 from the junkyard. Rebuilding a transmission is the worse think you can do, I had 3 friends who rebuild their transmission from reputable shops with oem parts used it never shifted good and smooth as stock.

 

This seems like something freak at this point, but fast forward 4 years down the road and wonder how many threads will be up concerning tranny issues. I'm guessing this World tranny fluid that never needs changed will present some issues around 8-10 years the life of the car.

 

It should be the same issue that I had been through.
make sure that ODBII error code came out with
- P2714 Pressure Control Solenoid "D" Performance or Stuck Off-
or sometime it will show up to P2714,P0751 or P0894
Problem solve by Replacement SOLENOID ASSY, LINE PRESSURE CONTROL.
Remark** INDEX product code number from diagram "35290"
Stock Code 3529034010
Fitment Notes SOLENOID ASSY, LINE
Your Price $ 191.07
Additional Notes
Alternate Stock Code 35290-50010; 3529050010
Categories Transmission (Automatic)

Note** In the same time suggest you to replace SOLENOID ASSY, LOCK UP CONTROL. as well.
Remark** INDEX produce code number from diagram " 35280"
Stock Code 3528030050
Fitment Notes SOLENOID ASSY, LOCK
Your Price $ 191.07
Alternate Stock Code 35280-50020; 3528050020
Categories Transmission (Automatic)

Good luck

 

I will get the report from them, hope they are the same code. You are my hero if they are the same. How tough to replace them ourselves? Or you suggest to have them replaced by the pro?

 

I don't think it is a DIY job bro . You need to ask for pro help!
Let them do the work for you. Remove transmission case & valve body components not that easy.
BTW, don't forget to clean up valve body and also change tranmission oil filter. you still need to get about 6 liters of refresh Toyota ATF WS oil to add on tranmission as well.
Caution don't use another ATF brand. Trust me you will get a big trouble for a long run.

Have a good one bro..

 

So Lexus Corporate compensated 50% of the parts only which is the whole transmission. I end up have to pay $1500 (from $3k total) plus $1100 labor, still better than nothing. It is a sad day to know I would spend that much on a transmission of a Lexus with 66k miles. Well, Happy Father's Day to me...

 

For $1500 you can get a junkyard tranny in there.........................

 

Im having the same problem on my gs

 

I'm new and not familiar with the GS yet. But based on experience with one of my Toyotas, I would have the cable between the gearshift and transmission checked, plus all of the cable mounts in between. Also look into the transmission switch the cable moves. If the cable is out of wack, or the switch is going bad, the transmission may think you have the shifter in 3rd, or somewhere in between 3rd and 4th.

I thought I had a trans going bad, possibly a switch or solenoid . It turned out to be the cable and a cracked cable mount.

 

I'm having a very similar problem.

Only goes into 1-3 and won't go into 4-6 without reving up to 4000 rpms and then it goes into gear.

Codes are P0751 "D Solenoid" and P0761 "C Solenoid"

Can I just replace these 2 solenoid's since these are the only 2 which are messed up?

 

Man sorry to here that for a tranny to go out at 60k is just ridiculous I would guess either one of two things, one the previous owner abused the hell out of the car or it was just a manufacturer defect.

 

Hello and thanks for this post.

I'm having a very similar problem.

Only goes into 1-3 and won't go into 4-6 without reving up to 4000 rpms and then it goes into gear.

Codes are P0751 "D Solenoid" and P0761 "C Solenoid"

Can I just replace these 2 solenoid's since these are the only 2 which are messed up?

 

The reading on the CEL were for bunch of stuff including those solenoid crap. I would think replacing them would cost as much as replacing the whole transmission since the parts itself are not cheap.

If you are still under warranty, then I recommend you to go the dealership and have them replace the whole transmission.

 

So glad I have the extended warranty on my 06 CPO. If the tras is going to crap out..I hope it is before I hit 125 k!