I think I might have one of the few RX350's with a bad transmission. Its a 2007 RX350 AWD, about 108k, bought used about two months ago. It is howling/groaning pretty loudly in 4th gear then it goes quiet when it shifts into 5th. It also will not engage immediately when slowing down for a rolling stop, it hesitates before engaging in 1st or 2nd gear. The fluid level is perfect and the fluid visually looks ok, its not too dark. Not lights or faults.

I think I have a few choices:
1. Do 3 or 4 drain and fills with toyota WS and change the trans filter - hope for the best. Probably cost me $100 in materials. That trans pan looks like a bear to get at.
2. Take it to a independent trans specialist - pay for #1 and have them do a diagnostic. They will likely tell me I need a new trans.
3. Take it to the dealer.

Any opinions or other things I should look at?

 

Sounds like a torque converter going bad. You could do a fluid change, but it likely will not solve anything. It's possible it could be a problem with the valve body, but the noise in 4th would suggest otherwise. Crazy stuff! Definitely don't see many transmissions going. Pretty sure a used unit from a highlander would be a cheaper way to go to get you back on the road.

 

Caprica,

Would someone be able to tell if it was the torque converter or something else without tearing into it? It sounds like you might suggest taking it in. I'm not sure who could do that swap for a used unit, that is a good idea though.

I drive it like normal, I just know something is going on.

 

If you have a mechanic (not Toyota or Lexus dealer) who you trust, have them put it on a lift and look at it. Maybe something will pop out at them. Definitely won't cost much to change the fluid and filter. Maybe even pull the battery and do a full TCM reset. Mostly that will cost time more than money, but I would definitely do something quickly before the noise and hesitation becomes catastrophic and the car decides to puke its transmission all over the ground...in the meantime, take a look around your area for an AWD trans from a similar Highlander or Lexus. You might get lucky and find one with less than 100K for a few hundred bucks from a wrecked rig.

 

Does anyone know the torque converter lockup parameters for these trans? Will it unlock when brake pedal pushed in fifth gear, or does it stay locked until speed drops below a specific number? Will it lockup in fourth gear? That would help the OP diagnose whether it's TC or internal trans problem.

We sold our '07 RX with 102k miles to a wholesaler in May because the trans started making a howling noise in 2nd through 4th gears. Noise went away completely in 5th gear. It was unmistakably a bad bearing sound. Dealer's diagnosis was to replace trans as they won't open it to just fix one part.

 

NVAKeith - that is making me think mine has the same issue you were hearing on yours. I don't know a dam thing about automatic transmissions and torque converters so I am at the mercy of whoever I take it to.

 

07 is using WS...I wonder if the previous owner used something else?

 

I wondered about the fluid myself and thought maybe if I just get all the fluid replaced with WS I might be ok. After some of the comments here, I am thinking that I may have a bigger problem on my hands though.

 

You could try some "snake oil" fix and see if it helps...but most of them are short term...

used lubegard for my DD Honda....it extended the life for about 1 year before I replaced the transmission....

http://www.lubegard.com/home.aspx

 

I took the car in to a transmission shop. They said there is metal in the filter, its in bad shape. They are saying $3500-3800 to rebuild it because of the high labor involved. I am just shocked!

That seems like what the dealer would charge. Maybe I should take it to the dealer, they might stand behind the work if the transmission doesn't last?

Or should I just put it back together and trade it in? I probably would loose 3k on the trade in I suppose.

What would others here do? I have kind of lost confidence in the car, I've had it for 2 months and have a $3800 repair bill

I have to admit this is my first Lexus and now I am afraid I have made a mistake

 

It's really rare that these transmissions die. Really sorry for your bad luck. You should be able to pick up a complete working unit for about a Grand, maybe a little less and have someone do a swap. That should be quite a bit less. Or you can just trade it in before it dies and take a loss that way. Don't give up on the Lexus name though. Imagine if you had bought an Audi SUV?!?!

 

Mic, for reference my dealer quoted $6k to replace transmission. Wholesaler gave me $7500 for the car as is (it needed other work as well).

Caprica, I had an Audi long ago, its issues were comparable to my RX.

 

That's a tough one to believe. Our family has had quite a few. My BIL has a 90 LS400 with 200K and it runs like day one. My In-laws had an 01 ES300 with 180K that ran perfect with zero issues until a van rear ended them and toasted it. We used to have an RX300 and never had a single issue with it. My mom has an 04 RX330 with 185K on it now and the only issue she's ever had with it are pulsing brakes and a cracked oil line. Even my good friend who's a real estate agent and bought an 07 RX400h brand new drove it for over 200K with never an issue. Everyone I've ever known who owns or has owned a Lexus has never had an ill word about them besides maybe a lack of engagement to the road. That flips with all the people I know who have or had Audi's. They typically spend more time in the shop than on the road...

 

I am going to go with the philosophy that its usually cheaper to fix the older car than to buy a new one. I just hope I don't get to be the one to prove this concept wrong.

 

Will you save yourself some money and find a good used transmission for a grand? They're pretty much all over. Seems like a waste to drop so much more to rebuild the one you've got...