Finding out the average Lexus transmission repair cost can help you make a decision about the best car model for you to purchase. By keeping in mind the frequent issues found in the Lexus GS 300, Lexus ES 350, and the Lexus IS 250, you can help reduce the overall repair and replacement costs for your car.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
The average cost to replace the transmission will range from $1,800 to $3,400 in terms of your Lexus transmission repair cost, while paying for a used transmission costs just $800 to $1,500. If you decide to purchase a rebuilt transmission, it will run between $1,300 and $3,400.
Lexus Transmission Types
Lexus and Toyota Motor Corporation use many different transmissions in their car models, with the transmissions divided into different families and types – automatic, CVT, and manual.
One of the popular manual transmissions used in Lexus vehicles is the J-series, a 6-speed manual transmission found in rear-wheel drive vehicles. This J-series is in the Mazda Miata, Nissan Silvia, Toyota 86, and the Lexus IS.
Another popular manual transmission type used in Lexus vehicles is the RA-series, a 6-speed manual transmission for longitudinally-mounted engines in RWD and 4WD vehicles like the Lexus IS250 Lexus IS220d.
A popular hybrid engine used in various Lexus models is the P-series, a Hybrid Synergy Drive transmission used in Toyota and Lexus in different front-wheel-drive cars. The P311 is used in the Lexus HS250h, while the P310 is used in the popular Lexus RX. Furthermore, the P313 version of the P-series is used in the Lexus RX450h, while the P314 is in the Lexus NX300h.
Another kind of hybrid engine used in Lexus models is the L-series, a Hybrid Synergy Drive transmission found frequently in RWD platforms. The L-series is a performance-oriented option that is known to reduce the overall Lexus transmission repair cost.
Lexus ES 350
The Lexus 350 has many problem years regarding the transmission, with the most concerning models being 2007, 2008, and 2013 years. 2007 has the most overall complaints, but 2008 is sometimes regarded as the worst choice due to the high repair cost and the prevalence of issues. The most-reported problem is the melting dashboard in the 2007 Lexus ES 350.
The 2007 Lexus ES 350 has the most issues regarding the interior accessories, engine, windows, AC and heater, body and paint, steering system, and the transmission. The NHTSA also cited issues regarding the manual and automatic transmission in Lexus vehicles along with user complaints.
Owners of the 2007 Lexus ES 350 have the most common issue of transmission failure, with the most common solution being to rebuild the transmission for around $2,500 at around 150,000 miles. Owners state that the transmission makes excessive noise during use and starts slipping, causing a high Leus transmission repair cost and danger on the road.
Lexus GS 300
The Lexus GS 300 has the highest number of complaints in the 1998 and 2006 model years, with 2006 having the highest number of issues, but the most-reported problem being oil sludge and engine failure in the 1998 Lexus GS 300.
The NHTSA cited various issues regarding transmission, with the powertrain leading to various performance and reliability issues. Owners complained of the headlights switching on and off, the car surging and lurching forward, and the automatic transmission is not shifting properly while driving at high speeds.
Lexus GX 470
The Lexus GX 470 has issues in the 2003, 2004, and 2006 model years, with the most-reported problem being secondary air injection failure in the 2006 Lexus GX 470. Along with having the most prevalent issue, the 2006 model year also has the highest number of all complaints in all model years.
The top categories of concern in the 2006 Lexus GX 470 are the engine, brakes, body and paint, drivetrain, exhaust, and transmission. The owner’s concerns with the drivetrain focus on the differential bearing breaking down over time, with the most coming solution being to replace the bearings differential at around 138,000 miles.
The typical repair cost is around $900 to fix the transmission, helping prevent a much higher Lexus transmission repair cost further down the line.
Lexus IS 250
The 2007 and 2008 model years of the Lexus IS 250 are the most concerning due to the highest prevalence of issues, with the 2007 Lexus IS 250 having the most-reported problem of the dashboard melting while driving.
In addition to the dashboard melting, the 2007 Lexus IS 250 has numerous owner concerns about the interior accessories, electrical system, engine mechanism, and transmission. The top transmissions issue focuses on transmission failure, with owners stating they have to pay nearly $3,000 to replace the transmission at around 95,000 miles.
Figuring out the symptoms of a bad transmission can help you keep the overall Lexus transmission repair cost as low as possible when bringing your car to the mechanic. Luckily for car owners, there are top reasons for a bad transmission that the driver can easily notice.
One main cause of a high Lexus transmission repair cost is that your transmission might not be able to stay in gear. If you try to put your car into a specific gear and shift and it will not move smoothly or will not move at all, this could be a clear sign that there could be a low transmission fluid amount. This low transmission fluid could be due to a leak, the gear shifter, the gear shifter cable, or the automatic transmission valve body.
Another reason for a high Lexus transmission repair cost is low transmission fluid that is too low to work correctly and a sign of a bad transmission. This could be due to a transmission fluid leak, fluid contamination, or water intrusion during certain weather or road conditions.
Lexus RX 330
The Lexus RX 330 had concerning issues for car owners in the 2004-2006 model years, with the most-reported problem being the dashboard cracking in the 2004 Lexus RX 330 model. In addition, this same year also had the highest prevalence of problems, with the top categories of concerns being interior accessories, AC and heater, steering, engine, windows and windshield, the drivetrain, and the transmission.
The most concerning issue reported by owners is the car’s hesitation when going from 2nd to 3rd gear. The NHTSA was also citing concerns about the automatic transmission, the transmission control module, the transmission lever, and the powertrain. Owners often report that they can fix the hesitation while shifting by replacing the transmission fluid for around $150 at nearly 70,000 miles.
Lexus LS 460
2007, 2008, and 2009 were the worst model years regarding the Lexus LS 460, with the most-reported problem being the melting dashboard and door panels in the 2008 year. However, 2007 is often reported as the worst model year due to the high incidence of concerns, the severity of issues, and high Lexus transmission repair cost.
The main categories of concern in the 2007 Lexus LS 460 focus on the interior accessories, brakes, suspension, cooling system, and transmission. The NHTSA cited concerns regarding the power train, transmission control module, and the transmission control module’s gear position. With these issues, owners reported the car hesitating during acceleration or lurching forward unintentionally while driving at high speeds.
Lexus RX 350
The Lexus RX 350 was a popular car produced from 2007 until the present. The worst model years were in the beginning years of production, with 2007-2009 having the most overall issues, and the 2007 year having the most -reported problem of the dashboard cracking.
The 2007 Lexus RX 350 had main categories of concern from owners focusing on the interior accessories, the engine, the sterling, and the transmission. Owners of the Lexus RX 350 reported a shift lag while in use, with the typical repair cost being a hefty $5,000 to replace the transmission at around 89,000 miles.
Lexus Recall
Toyota and Lexus recalled nearly 2 million vehicles included in the 2020 recall for fear that the cars can abruptly stall while driving at high speeds. From model years 2013 to 2019, Lexus and Toyota had issues with fuel pump malfunctions, leading to sudden stalling and hesitation while driving.
The problem with the fuel pump and the transmission can cause a much higher Lexus transmission repair cost. Some of these included vehicles running rough, stalling and shaking while accelerating. If the engine is experiencing issues with rough idling, the engine might not restart after stalling.
The specific vehicles recalled all experienced reliability and performance issues regarding the transmission and engine systems. The Lexus LS 460 sedans produced from 2013-2015 were some of the main culprits, with every unit having problems with a high Leus transmission repair cost.
Furthermore, the 2013-2014 and 2014 Lexus GS 350 sedans and the Lexus ISF sedans also had transmission concerns. Other models that had problems and were incorporated in the recall included the 2014-2015 Lexus GX 460 and Lexus LX 570 SUVs.
The final Lexus cars that were in the recall featured the 2014-2015 Lexus IS350 sedans, the 2015 Lexus NX 200t SUVs, 2017 Lexus IS 200t sedans, 2017 and 2019 Lexus RX 350 SUVs, 2018 Lexus GS 300 sedans, 2018-2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus IS 350 sedans, 2018-2019 Lexus IS 300, and the 2018-2019 Lexus LS 500 models.
The Bottom Line
Knowing the most common transmission concerns in Lexus models can help you determine the best car for you to choose. In addition, by being aware of the recall that affected Lexus’ fuel pumps, engines, and transmission, you can save money on the overall Lexus transmission repair cost in the long run.