I just had a friend reach out to me who knows I'm a big fan of Lexus for some advice. She has a 2007 IS250 which she bought certified in 2009.The car currently has about 120K miles and just recently started having some issues. Over the past few months, the car has seemed sluggish. She took it to a mechanic who replaced some solenoids, but that didn't do the job. She stated she was on the freeway the other day and every time she would let off the gas, the car would slow dramatically until she pressed the gas again. The car went to Lexus and they asked if they could drive the car off the lot to see if they could replicate her concerns. She got a call shortly after that the car had gone into limp mode and would need a new transmission to the tune of $6000. It seems rare for a Lexus transmission to fail, so I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this issue?

 

Never has happened to me,...I suggest she go to an independent lexus shop and buy a used transmission

 

There are a few folks here that have suffered Transmission problems. It is not that rare considering Lexus tells folks never to change their transmission fluid. Although more folks are beginning to understand that it should be changed at least at 80-100k.

Have your friend find a transmission on car-parts.com for her vehicle and have a local garage put it in. She should be able to find a transmission for $500-$800 and about $500 to install. The alternative is have Lexus charge 6k.

FlynRyan just changed out his sons tranny in his driveway He's in CA so maybe he wants to make some extra money )

 

Sorry to hear about the issues your friend is experiencing. That said it is rare, but at the end of the day this is still a car and anything can still go wrong. Just because you buy a Honda doesn't mean it will be bulletproof and just because you buy a BMW doesn't mean it will be a lemon.

 

I agree on the sourcing of a good, used, low-mileage trans to replace it. About $1k + cost to install...maybe another $800 or so from an independent shop.

 

Replacing transmission with low mileage one cost around $1700

 

Here is what I found on eBay 30k for under $300
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-Lexus-I...RYdsLX&vxp=mtr

 

Theres no way I would put in another tranny for $500, Im too old for it and would need a lift if I was to do it again. I agree with the others to find her a used tranny and find a shop to put it in. My buddy that helped me might be interested in doing it. We are in Mission Viejo

 

That's what i mean to say. Buy used transmissions and drop on another $600 for labor. Total cost be out under $1200
We did the installation for a few IS already