2020 Lexus RX Problems
Compared with other Lexus RX years
More complaints than typical for this model
87/100 2.3× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 2.3× that of a typical Lexus RX year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 10 of its 47 complaints were filed by the end of 2022.
- Most reported part: Air bags (21 complaints, median 46,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2017, 2018
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
- 47filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 31,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4–5 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 30 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid AWD · 31 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 Lexus RX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2020 Lexus RX. The part named most often is air bags, with 21 complaints (45% of the total), followed by other or unknown (8) and engine (5). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 31,500 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 34 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the occupant classification and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 4 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 87 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more 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.
- Air bags21 45%
- Other or unknown8 17%
- Engine5 11%
- Electrical system4 8.5%
- Tires4 8.5%
- Body and structure3 6.4%
- Fuel system2 4.3%
- Brakes1 2.1%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “This vehicle, and those of its generation, have had an active passenger airbag recall since December 2023. There has been no news on a remedy, nor any meaningful updates on progress. I am unable to transport passengers in my front seat as I am afraid for their safety and my own liability.”
NHTSA complaint #11668757, filed 2025-06Other or unknown: “My car trunk could not be closed right after the year I bought it in July, 2020. I went to the dealer Crown Lexus in Ontario, Southern California. They fixed it. Now it is happening again, I can not close the trunk by touching the button on the trunk or in the car to the left of the driver’s wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #11562172, filed 2023-12Engine: “Was driving into the garage (coasting) very slowly and as I was preparing to step on brake the car revved forward unsuspectedly - I have a video on my ring door bell and you can hear the engine then the squealing of the automatic braking system. I destroyed the adult 3 wheel bicycle that was stored along the wall but that helped the vehicle from crashing through the bricks - I remember shouting “what the hell is happening”. After much research as I knew I did not depress the accelerator in error - I found that this has been a common occurrence with Toyota and Lexus products. …”
NHTSA complaint #11430031, filed 2021-08Electrical system: “I own a 2020 Lexus RX 450h with approximately 129,803 miles. The check engine light came on and the vehicle stored diagnostic trouble code P0A2D, which indicates a failure of the drive motor/temperature sensor circuit that is integrated into the transmission/hybrid motor assembly. According to the Lexus dealer’s diagnosis, the temperature control sensor located on the transmission/hybrid drive unit has failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11723917, filed 2026-03Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 17,000 and 46,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Lexus RX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 450H · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.4% risk |
| RX 350L · SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.7% risk |
| RX 350L · SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 18.2% risk |
| RX 450HL · SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.7% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2020 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2021: 4 stars overall. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2020 Lexus RX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 450h AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 31 | 28 | 30 | $2,750 |
| RX 450h L AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 29 | 28 | 29 | $2,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classificationCovers: Lexus RX 2020–2021, Toyota Camry 2020–2022, Lexus ES Hybrid 2020–2022 +11 more
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry…
Recall details for the 2020 Lexus RX → · Check a 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. 34 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11029870Feb 2, 2026Electrical system. OBSOLETE NOTICE February 2, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0004-26.
- 11028717Jan 23, 2026Electrical system. Some 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation System, require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system…
- 11027560Dec 15, 2025Body and structure. Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address…
- 11022963Aug 19, 2025Electrical system. Some customers may experience operational difficulties with some telematics features which they cannot resolve on their own. These resources, in conjunction with the Repair Manual, are for…
- 11020656Jun 13, 2025Electrical system. The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in…
- 11019329Apr 2, 2025Electrical system. To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the…
- 11018326Apr 2, 2025Electrical system. To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the…
- 11016775Feb 7, 2025Body and structure. Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the…
- 11015489Feb 7, 2025Body and structure. Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the…
- 11014204Jan 24, 2025Other or unknown. OBSOLETE NOTICE January 27, 2025: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0006-25.
Other model years of the Lexus RX
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 1,000 | 3 | 4–5 | 25 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 22 | 112 | 4 | 4–5 | 25 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 60 | 3,000 | 4 | 4–5 | 25 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 62 | 8,250 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 100 · More | Too new |
| 2022 | 29 | 31,600 | 0 | 4 | 30 | 68 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 70 | 58,000 | 1 | 4 | 30 | 86 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 47 | 31,500 | 1 | 4–5 | 30 | 87 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 34 | 17,500 | 1 | — | 30 | 79 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 26 | 42,548 | 0 | — | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 47 | 32,730 | 0 | — | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 28 | 67,500 | 0 | — | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 20 | 45,000 | 0 | — | 29 | — | Rising |
| 2014 | 12 | 92,545 | 0 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 19 | 105,606 | 0 | — | 29 | — | Rising |
| 2012 | 12 | 143,682 | 0 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 29 | 125,000 | 0 | — | 29 | 1 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 77 | 25,000 | 0 | — | — | 96 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 34 | 73,500 | 0 | — | — | 19 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 70 | 114,183 | 0 | — | 25 | 15 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 58 | 93,426 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 32 | 130,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 27 | 80,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 40 | 66,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 12 | 101,930 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 19 | 95,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2000 | 29 | 90,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 35 | 107,000 | 0 | — | — | 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 2020 Lexus RX have?
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2020 Lexus RX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2020 Lexus RX is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 21 complaints (45% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 8.
Has the 2020 Lexus RX been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2020 Lexus RX do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 Lexus RX 4–5 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Lexus RX get?
The EPA rates the 2020 Lexus RX (RX 450h AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 30 mpg combined, 31 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2020 Lexus RX reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 31,500 miles and the middle half falls between 17,000 and 46,000 miles; 100% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.