Lexus RX reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,132 complaints about the Lexus RX with NHTSA since 2010, most often about other or unspecified and engine. Lexus has filed 8 warranty extensions and 23 service campaigns for it, and there are 21 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Lexus RX? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the RX a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,132
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 8
- Filed by Lexus
- Service campaigns
- 23
- Filed by Lexus
- Safety recalls
- 21
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the RX with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | Electrical system (67%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 23 | Electrical system (30%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 58 | Electrical system (34%) | 4 | 4 |
| 2023 | 67 | Other or unspecified (24%) | 4 | 6 |
| 2022 | 39 | Other or unspecified (31%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 71 | Airbags (66%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2020 | 55 | Airbags (38%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2019 | 68 | Fuel and propulsion (35%) | 4 | 10 |
| 2018 | 47 | Other or unspecified (21%) | 2 | 11 |
| 2017 | 103 | Other or unspecified (25%) | 3 | 14 |
| 2016 | 93 | Other or unspecified (25%) | 3 | 10 |
| 2015 | 67 | Other or unspecified (24%) | 1 | 5 |
| 2014 | 30 | Airbags (23%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2013 | 90 | Brakes (21%) | 1 | 6 |
| 2012 | 48 | Cruise control and speed control (23%) | 1 | 7 |
| 2011 | 72 | Engine (28%) | 1 | 9 |
| 2010 | 192 | Cruise control and speed control (26%) | 1 | 13 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single RX model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Lexus
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Lexus filed with NHTSA for the RX, in its own words. A warranty extension means Lexus pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionSep 2025· Electrical system· model years 2023–2024
Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Lexus New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 4 years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Lexus care about the guests’ ownership experience.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2023· Fuel system· model years 2017–2020
On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court.
- Warranty extensionSep 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2012
RL: Lexus has received reports regarding the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies on certain 2010–2012 model year RX450H vehicles.
- Warranty extensionAug 2020· Mobility equipment· model years 2010–2017
Ti: Technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19LE05 safety connect system ? Vehicle location inaccurate
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2017
Area Letter: The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles is equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support features of the Safety Connect system.
- Warranty extensionOct 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2017
Technical instructions: Technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19LE05 safety connect system ?
- Warranty extensionJul 2014· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2011
Region Letter: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Lexus is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for repairs related to a leaking or seeping Engine Oil Cooler Pipe.
- Warranty extensionJul 2014· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2011
There is a seepage or oil leakage on some vehicles, coming from the engine oil cooler pipe that is covered by the limited warranty enhancement program. Model 2007-2011 Rx 350, 2010-2011 Rx 450H.
- Service campaignDec 2025· Body and structure· model years 2021
23LD01 expired on november 30, 2025 Technical instructions for special service campaign 23LD01 tow converter not installed certain 2021 Model year RX350
- Service campaignSep 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2021
Safety recall and service campaign renotification owner renotification 25R001
- Service campaignSep 2025· Electrical system· model years 2023–2024
The subject vehicles are equipped with a rear motor unit and an HV Floor Under Wire that provide high voltage to operate the motor.
- Service campaignOct 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2023–2024
The subject vehicles were delivered with only one (1) Smart Key on select models since October 2022 due to a global semiconductor shortage impacting certain microchips. The affected vehicles were delivered with one (1) Smart Key and a second mechanical key.
- Service campaignSep 2024· Engine· model years 2023–2024
Technical instructions for special service campaign 24LC03 malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is on with DTC P05CE00 software update certain 2023-2024 Nx 350 vehicles certain 2023-2024 RX350 vehicles certain 2024 Tx 350 vehicles
- Service campaignJun 2024· Electrical system· model years 2023
Technical instructions for special service campaign 24LC02 data communicaton module (dcm) update certain 2023 ES250, ES300H, ES350, LS500, RX350, RX350H, RX500H, RZ450E, UX250H
- Service campaignMay 2023· Communication· model years 2023
Ti: Technical instructions for limited service campaign 23LD03 dcm replacement certain 2023 Model year RX350 certain 2023 Model year RX350H certain 2023 Model year RX500H
- Service campaignApr 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2022
Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- Service campaignJul 2021· Fuel system· model years 2017–2020
Ti: Technical instructions for special service campaign 21LC01 low-pressure fuel pump
- Service campaignJul 2021· Body and structure· model years 2016–2019
Ti: Technical instructions for special service campaign 20LC02 front inside door handle may become inoperative certain 2016-2019 Model year RX350 and RX450h
- Service campaignDec 2020· Body and structure· model years 2016–2019
Faq: Special service campaign 20LC02
- Service campaignDec 2020· Body and structure· model years 2016–2019
Ti: Technical instructions for special service campaign 20LC02 front inside door handle may become inoperative certain 2016-2019 Model year RX350 and RX450h
- Service campaignJun 2020· Stability control· model years 2018–2019
Ti: Technical instructions for special service campaign 20LC03 engine control computer reprogram certain 2018 - 2019 Rx 350, rx 350L
- Service campaignJan 2020· Engine· model years 2016–2019
Dealer Daily Message: **Dealer Letter Available on TIS** Certain 2016–2019 Model Year RX 450h Oil Cooler Pipe ? Special Service Campaign 19LC05 Dealer Letter and Technical Instructions are now available on TIS.
- Service campaignJan 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2019
Technical Instructions: TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 19LC05 OIL COOLER PIPE CERTAIN 2016–2019 RX 450h
- Service campaignOct 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2021
Region Letter: Lexus plans to conduct Safety Recall/Special Campaign follow-up notifications to owners whose vehicles have not yet had the following Safety Recall/Special Service Campaign repairs completed. Please note the following information for Area associates.
- Service campaignNov 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2017–2018
Dealer Daily Message: In our continuing effort to encourage increased customer participation in Special Service Campaigns, Lexus will be piloting a new method for contacting customers whose vehicles have compatible multimedia head units in Special Service Campaign JLH.
- Service campaignOct 2018· Electrical system· model years 2017
Technical instructions: Technical instructions for special service campaign jlh intelligent clearance sonar (ics) system reprogram
- Service campaignJun 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
Technical instructions: Technical instructions for limited service campaign flb certain 2010 Model year rx 450h oxygen sensor replacement
- Service campaignJan 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
Renotification Follow-Up Region Letter: Lexus will be sending Special Service Campaign Follow-Up Notices to owners whose vehicles have not yet had the following Special Service Campaign repairs completed.
- Service campaignSep 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
Dealer email: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Lexus has converted Limited Service Campaign (LSC) BSL into Special Service Campaign (SSC) BSL with no expiration date.
- Service campaignSep 2016· Mobility equipment· model years 2010
Dealer email: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Lexus has converted Limited Service Campaign (LSC) BSL into Special Service Campaign (SSC) BSL with no expiration date.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every RX model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Other or unspecified186 (16%)
- Engine163 (14%)
- Electrical system151 (13%)
- Airbags146 (13%)
- Brakes136 (12%)
- Cruise control and speed control112 (10%)
- Transmission and drivetrain71 (6%)
- Body and structure65 (6%)
Safety recalls
21 recalls cover at least one RX model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.
Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse.
Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
The second-row center seat belt webbing may be damaged. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies.
An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The head restraints on the driver and front passenger seats may be inadvertently removed without pressing the lock release button.
A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag.
The transport hook may not have been removed prior to sale. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS…
During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
And 6 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- DP22005Defect petition· opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023· Electrical system· model years 2010–2022
Pedestrian alert sounds
Led to recall 22V063000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2027 Lexus RX has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Lexus RX reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 1,132 owner complaints, 8 warranty extensions and 23 service campaigns Lexus filed, and 21 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (192), 2017 (103), 2016 (93). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Lexus RX?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name other or unspecified (16%), engine (14%), electrical system (13%). Lexus has filed 8 warranty extensions covering the RX, listed on this page.
Which RX model years have the most complaints?
2010 (192), 2017 (103), 2016 (93). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the RX with each other rather than with other models.
Has Lexus extended the warranty on the RX?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2023–2024); fuel system (model years 2017–2020); equipment and accessories (model years 2010–2012), and 5 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a RX?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 21 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.