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Lexus RXModel year report

2009 Lexus RX Problems

Compared with other Lexus RX years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

19/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
34filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
73,500miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Lexus RX (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2009 Lexus RX. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine (9) and steering (5). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 23% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 73,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 11 Lexus RX model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 19 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Seats (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “While driving, my dash lights will come on for no reason. Abs, brake, vsc off, tire pressure and the car stability. When taken to a local oreally store, no codes were detected. Once I turned off the car at home and restarted, the lights turn off. This has happened twice while driving on the highway.”

NHTSA complaint #11360738, filed 2020-09, 125,000 miles

Engine: “Water pump failed without any indication of failure. I was going on highway and all of sudden vsc light came up . After driving a mile engine light came up. Since next exit was 3 miles I drove through exist and pull car on safe parking lot. By the time I stopped vehicle, I saw smoke coming out of engine. I had to call aaa and get it towed to local mechanic for primary diagnostic before I towed it over to Lexus dealership 25 miles away. …”

NHTSA complaint #10731442, filed 2015-07, 61,000 miles

Steering: “I took my Lexus rx350 to my tire shop for alignment and new tires. Upon, inspection of steering rack the technician noticed rack and pinion right boot was wet with power steering fluid. The shop recommended that steering rack needs to be replaced. I have owned toyotas and Lexus all my life and never have steering rack issues before. Especially at this low mileage. I am disappointed with Lexus of not recalling this steering rack issue. If Lexus failed to replace my steering rack free of charge. I will never buy a toyota and Lexus again.”

NHTSA complaint #10604969, filed 2014-06, 60,000 miles

Air bags: “The dash above the passenger air bag started cracking and a thick, sticky substance continues to seep out. The vehicle is kept in a garage and the only place the dash is cracking is directly above the airbag.”

NHTSA complaint #11354833, filed 2020-09, 85,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

23% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 133,000 miles.

9%0–100%10–2514%25–5027%50–7514%75–10023%100–15014%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 73,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2014201620192021202352026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Lexus RX in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 60 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus RX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026121,00034–525—Too new
20252211244–525—Too new
2024603,00044–525Too new to compareToo new
2023628,2503536100 · MoreToo new
20222931,600043068 · MoreRising
20217058,000143086 · MoreRising
20204731,50014–53087 · MoreRising
20193417,5001—3079 · MoreRising
20182642,5480—300 · FewerRising
20174732,7300—300 · FewerRising
20162867,5000—300 · FewerRising
20152045,0000—29—Rising
20141292,5450—29—Not enough data
201319105,6060—29—Rising
201212143,6820—29—Not enough data
201129125,0000—291 · FewerFalling
20107725,0000——96 · MoreFalling
20093473,5000——19 · FewerFalling
200870114,1830—2515 · FewerFalling
20075893,4260—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200632130,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20052780,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20044066,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212101,9300———Not enough data
20011995,0000———Rising
20002990,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199935107,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus RX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Lexus RX have?

NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2009 Lexus RX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Lexus RX is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine with 9.

Has the 2009 Lexus RX been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Lexus RX reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 73,500 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 133,000 miles; 23% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.