Early transmission failure on early model Lexus RX300 from 1997 to 2003. I own a 2002 RX300 and the transmission failed at about 160,000 miles. It happened with no notice causing my engine to slow on the road and then was rear ended by another vehicle. I seem to be a lucky one as I read thousands of Lexus RX300 owners transmissions needed to be replaced between 70,000 and 90,000 miles. Lexus/Toyota has done nothing to admit their is a problem with the transmission in this car and in fact denied any problems to myself. It is costing owners of these vehicles to outlay between $3,000 to $6,000 for the transmission to be replaced. All you need to do is go on the club Lexus forum for Lexus owners and type in transmission problems for RX300 and you will see thousands of owners complaining. Please do everything in your power to make Lexus/Toyota acknowledge the problem and issue a recall and reimbursement to those owners of these cars. Thank you.