LexusModel report

Lexus RX Problems by Model Year

NHTSA recorded 962 consumer complaints across the 27 model years of the Lexus RX (1999–2026) that have at least 5 complaints. 2010 has the most, with 77. Across all years, the part named most often is other or unknown (177 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.

Best and worst RX years →

All RX model years

Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	TSBs	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2026	12	1,000	3	23	—	Too new
2025	22	112	4	38	—	Too new
2024	60	3,000	4	105	Too new to compare	Too new
2023	62	8,250	3	117	100 · More	Too new
2022	29	31,600	0	36	68 · More	Rising
2021	70	58,000	1	44	86 · More	Rising
2020	47	31,500	1	34	87 · More	Rising
2019	34	17,500	1	28	79 · More	Rising
2018	26	42,548	0	27	0 · Fewer	Rising
2017	47	32,730	0	31	0 · Fewer	Rising
2016	28	67,500	0	31	0 · Fewer	Rising
2015	20	45,000	0	31	—	Rising
2014	12	92,545	0	32	—	Not enough data
2013	19	105,606	0	34	—	Rising
2012	12	143,682	0	33	—	Not enough data
2011	29	125,000	0	81	1 · Fewer	Falling
2010	77	25,000	0	77	96 · More	Falling
2009	34	73,500	0	60	19 · Fewer	Falling
2008	70	114,183	0	60	15 · Fewer	Falling
2007	58	93,426	0	58	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling
2006	32	130,000	1	60	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2005	27	80,000	1	50	Not compared (before 2008)	Rising
2004	40	66,000	1	43	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling
2002	12	101,930	0	28	—	Not enough data
2001	19	95,000	0	28	—	Rising
2000	29	90,000	0	24	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling
1999	35	107,000	0	12	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling

Parts named most often, all years

Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.

Other or unknown177 18%
Engine147 15%
Transmission and drivetrain135 14%
Air bags127 13%
Brakes125 13%
Electrical system119 12%
Body and structure85 8.7%
Fuel system62 6.3%

Example complaints

One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

2008: “When driving I would have all the lights on my dash come on with a dinging sound and when I go to press on my brakes vehicle will not stop unless I press down hard on the brake this is really dangerous will cause a deadly crash and to replace this will cost 3000 dollars that I do not have I reall believe RX 400h have a defeat with there braking system.”

NHTSA complaint #11390804, filed 2021-01, 198,000 miles

2000: “2000 rx300 do not shift into the 3 gear while driving, the transmission shifts from 1 &2 but not 3. The engine speed is high and doesn't shift. We haven't driven it since, trying to find out what to do next with this vehicle. I have a friend that have the same make & model and he's had the same problems also!”

NHTSA complaint #11323985, filed 2020-05, 180,000 miles

2001: “I bought a car from what I believe to be a private party but not sure because having trouble narrowing down his correct name. He is very secretive. After the purchase I found that the odometer had been changed and my only recourse is to sue him. It is a long story but short version is I got scammed and now stuck with a car that will take more money to fix than it's worth.”

NHTSA complaint #11288875, filed 2019-12, 102,000 miles

Other Lexus models

Lexus ES350
1,448 complaints Lexus RX350
833 complaints Lexus RX300
719 complaints Lexus IS 250
718 complaints Lexus ES300
677 complaints Lexus ES
658 complaints Lexus IS
579 complaints Lexus RX330
524 complaints

All Lexus models →

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology