My Japan built 2001 RX300 AWD(purchased brand new) was one of the most problematic vehicles we've ever owned starting from year 2. Yes, we kept it for 14 years and I fixed or had it fixed by dealer or private shop. If my wife hadn't loved the SUV so much, I would have sold it sooner. But, I was completely disgusted with the vehicle.
Don't get me wrong, there were some good things about it, just not the amount of repairs that had to be done. My SIL(wife's sister) had the same year RX300 AWD and she said the same thing. We both thought the 1st gen RX was a POS. Both had many of the same issues and both vehicles tranny's died about the same mileage. My SIL never maintained her tranny(other than adding ATF) and I maintained ours regularly. It didn't matter...Go figure!
I believe all 1st gen RX's were built in Japan.
Don't get me wrong, there were some good things about it, just not the amount of repairs that had to be done. My SIL(wife's sister) had the same year RX300 AWD and she said the same thing. We both thought the 1st gen RX was a POS. Both had many of the same issues and both vehicles tranny's died about the same mileage. My SIL never maintained her tranny(other than adding ATF) and I maintained ours regularly. It didn't matter...Go figure!
I believe all 1st gen RX's were built in Japan.