We were driving today in our 2015 and suddenly car started slowing down. We pulled over to stop and computer is fine. Power is fine. Gave it gas in drive, nothing. Turned it off. Restart, drive, no engagement in any gears. We had it towed home. It has 51,000 miles. Is this the transmission? No leaks anywhere. Lexuses are supposed to be reliable cars, not sure what is going on.

 

Hard to diagnose this online, but the cold could be a factor.
Anything can break on any vehicle at any time.
It sounds like the transmission, but you may still be covered under the 6 year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. Check with Lexus. If covered they should tow it for free to the dealer and conduct any repairs under warranty. If the dealer gives you a hard time, contact Lexus corporate.
Have you had maintenance done at the dealer? If so, they will treat you better.
Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

In my local FB group, someone mentioned that it could be corroded transmission lines from the salt on the roads because we live in snowy Minnesota. I am the third owner. The two previous owners lived in New York and we bought the car from a local car dealer in Minnesota. The corroded transmission lines make sense to me, I am originally from Texas and don’t know much about what salt does to cars, I just know it’s not good. I will have the car towed to my husband’s trusted mechanic in the morning. I have read that transmission line repair is not as severe as an entire transmission, I just hope that’s what it is. Does corroded transmission lines sound like it could be the issue?

 

Corroded lines would mean a noticeable "oil", actually ATF leak, which should be noticeable as drops under the car. If no leaks, something likely mechanical/electrical, get it scanned.

 

That’s what we will do in the morning.

 

The transmission cooler lines that I am familiar with are not metal, but there may be other transmission lines.

However, if your metal transmission fluid lines failed due to rust, then some of your metal brake lines should also be about to fail due to rust.
This is what happened to my 1995 Ford Explorer. However, the metal brake lines went first, in multiple places and the mechanic giving the estimate advised the transmission lines were also about to fail. I should add that this occurred in 2013 so it was 18 years old when the lines rusted out. I doubt it would happen in a Toyota/Lexus product in only 5 years.

 

UPDATE: We lodged a formal complaint with Lexus today and they opened a Consideration case to tow it to the dealership for diagnosis.

 

Did I miss a post? What did your mechanic say?

The order should be ..
Diagnose the problem [and if possible let the dealership diagnose when you have the warranty].
If there is dispute between the customer and the dealer then escalate to Lexus corp. One can always seek guidance from Lexus.

Salim

 

it is out of warranty, by a month or so, but has only 51,000 miles. That’s why we escalated it with corporate. The dealer wouldn’t do anything warranty or powertrain related until we escalated it and corporate opened a consideration case. That’s all we know right now.

 

Sorry to hear of the troubles - Not fun Please let us know what the final diagnosis is when you get one!

 

That makes sense. So the diagnoses is that the transmission is dead or the dealership is hedging and the worst case is replace with rebuilt. The warranty work needs corporate to approve. I hope Lexus gives you the "good will" go ahead. Just be ready if they offer you something less, such as they cover the parts and you pay for labor.

Salim

 

Today, the dealership called us with an update. The dealership is waiting on an approval from Lexus for A NEW TRANSMISSION. The dealership is sending a loaner RX to our house until the work is complete. We are shocked, to say the least.

 

Bummer. I have seen a couple threads on the RX forum regarding transmission failures, hoped I wouldn't see anymore Crossing my fingers that Lexus will help.

 

It is a pleasant surprise as I was expecting a refurbished transmission. Hope things work out in your favor.

Salim

 

I hope so too. We are still waiting for approval from Lexus.