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Lexus RX350Model year report

2007 Lexus RX350 Problems

Complaints
167filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
75,000miles, 141 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2007 Lexus RX350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 RX350 most often write about engine oil leaks traced to the oil cooler hose and pipe, and about a power steering rack that leaks fluid and is commonly quoted for replacement. Dashboards that crack, soften or shed material over the passenger airbag area are a recurring structural theme, and a sizeable group describe unintended acceleration or cruise-control surging. Complaints cluster from roughly 45,000 to 130,000 miles, and many issues were found during routine service or inspection rather than at the moment of failure.

  1. Engine

    Engine oil cooler hose/pipe leak

    • 33 complaints (20%)
    • median 84,994 mi at 7.9 yrs old (29 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $1,696 (median of 6 quotes)
    • filed 2009–2020

    Owners describe engine oil escaping from the oil cooler line, sometimes as a sudden burst that coats the underside and leaves the oil level very low. Several say the oil warning came on only after the engine had already lost most of its oil, and some were told the engine needed replacement. Complaints describe dealers or Lexus telling owners the line would only be replaced once it was actually leaking, and that a campaign or warranty extension covered the part for a limited period. Reported from roughly 45,000 to over 160,000 miles, often noticed during or shortly after an oil change.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Have the oil cooler hose and pipe inspected for weeping or cracking, and ask for service records showing whether the line was already replaced. Check the oil level and look for fresh oil residue underneath.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I received letter from Lexus telling me the engine oil cooler pipe could have leakage, but Lexus won't replace it unless it's leaking. I searched the internet and there are many other car owners have had the leak and when it does, the engine might be gone because of no oil left in the reservoir. This could end up in an accident or fire, or at least engine blows up. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10629541, filed 2014-08, 55,000 miles

    “Engine oil was pouring out of my vehicle while I was driving. The engine oil cooler line was leaking. It needed to be replaced and the undercarriage needed to be cleaned. This could have been dangerous if I was not able to immediately get the car to the repair shop.”

    NHTSA complaint #11011568, filed 2017-07, 156,187 miles
  2. Vehicle speed control

    Unintended acceleration and cruise-control surging

    • 18 complaints (11%)
    • median 65,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
    • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2007–2018

    Owners describe the vehicle accelerating on its own while pulling into a parking space, backing up, or with the foot on the brake, and in some cases the car struck a wall or other object. Others report the engine speed climbing sharply after setting or resuming cruise control. A related recall concerns a floor carpet cover that can interfere with the accelerator pedal if its retention clip is missing. Reported from very low mileage up to about 163,000 miles, at parking-lot speeds as well as highway cruise speeds.

    Recall 11V1120001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Confirm the floor carpet retention clip is present and the cover sits flat away from the pedal, and ask whether the recall work was performed. Have the pedal and cruise-control operation checked, and note any surging during a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Lexus rx 350 complaint. I have 2007 RX350 that has` sudden acceleration. I took it to the dealer and they said it was due to fuel injection hose. . There still seems to be occasional acceleration. Why aren't the rx 350's being recalled also.”

    NHTSA complaint #10293655, filed 2009-11, 46,000 miles

    “At approx. 8:05 am on thursday, december 2nd I was stopped behind a school bus that was picking up children at the intersection (1-2) min wait) I gave the car enough gas to make the right hand turn onto crockers lake blvd. Which is only approx. 150-200 ft in length. I estimate the speed was between 10-15 MPH when I began braking to make the left hand turn into the citation club apartments when I noticed the vehicle was not slowing. I pressed the brake pedal harder and the car continued to pull against the brakes. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10375778, filed 2011-01, 47,498 miles
  3. Steering

    Power steering rack leak and stiff steering

    • 22 complaints (13%)
    • median 80,168 mi at 7.7 yrs old (19 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 10 quotes)
    • filed 2010–2018

    Complaints describe power steering fluid loss with no puddle under the car, discovered when the reservoir was found nearly empty during routine maintenance or inspection. Owners say they were quoted for a full rack and pinion replacement, and some report the steering wheel becoming hard to turn or failing to return to center after a turn. Commonly reported between about 43,000 and 130,000 miles, often found at scheduled service or state inspection.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether the rack and pinion or its seals have been replaced, and check the power steering fluid level and look for wetness on the rack boots. Turn the wheel lock to lock and note any stiffness or failure to self-center.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I own a 2007 Lexus RX350. I went in for am oi; change. The vehicle failed inspection. The mechanic said that the steering rack and pinion was leaking and that the seals needed to be replaced. There were no repairs completed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer a remedy. The failure and current mileage was 80,000. Quoted $1500.00 to $1800.00 repair.”

    NHTSA complaint #10619423, filed 2014-08, 80,168 miles

    “My 2007 RX350 was in for 50k maintenance service. I was informed of the power steering oil leaking. No dropping of oil was noticed on the parking floor at my home. Technician informed that the oil reservoir was almost empty. I was asked to replace the power steering rack. I was told by the Lexus technician that about 30% of rx-350 2006 seem to have this issue within 5 years of in service date and toyota/ Lexus id not pay any concern for the safety of the owners. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10548895, filed 2013-10, 48,000 miles
  4. Body and structure

    Cracked or sticky dashboard over the airbag

    • 20 complaints (12%)
    • median 66,539 mi at 7.6 yrs old (14 state mileage)
    • filed 2013–2022

    Owners report cracks spreading across the dashboard pad, particularly near the passenger airbag area, and in some cars the material becomes soft, sticky or melted. Complaints say dealers declined to cover the repair or said the dash pad was not included in warranty coverage. Several owners link the cracking to concern about how the airbag would deploy. Reported from about 46,000 to 130,000 miles, with owners in hot and humid climates describing softening and melting.

    14 related service bulletins

    What to check: Inspect the top of the dash, especially around the passenger airbag seam, for cracks, tackiness or exposed foam. Ask whether the dashboard was replaced under the warranty enhancement program and keep any documentation.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My dashboard is cracked over the passenger airbag. I am the original owner and the car has been in an indoor garage for 10 years. Car has been serviced every 3000 miles for 10 years.”

    NHTSA complaint #11014581, filed 2017-08, 80,000 miles

    “My Lexus's dashboard is melting and cracking. It's so soft that if I miss the key hole it will dig a hole in the rubber around the ignition. Resale value seriously diminished.”

    NHTSA complaint #10629510, filed 2014-08, 63,078 miles
  5. Air bags

    Airbag warning light on (seat wiring / airbag assembly)

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners report the SRS or airbag warning light flashing or staying on with no collision involved. Complaints describe dealers diagnosing a wiring harness under the seat or the airbag assembly itself as the cause, and in some cases advising that the airbag would not deploy as it stood. Most often reported between about 75,000 and 130,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check that the airbag light comes on briefly and then goes out at startup, and ask whether any seat wiring or airbag repairs have been done. A diagnostic scan can confirm stored airbag fault codes.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The airbag light started flashing. I had it looked at by the Lexus dealership. I needed to replace the whole airbag in the driver's seat, and my car had never been in an accident. They said it wasn't safe to drive and the airbag would not deploy if I were in an accident the way it was when I brought it in.”

    NHTSA complaint #10514056, filed 2013-05, 75,000 miles

    “I was driving on a country road and noticed A/C was acting odd, then temp gauge went to bottom of dial. I couldn't stop on this road. I was trying to get to granddaughter's house. I stopped at light and couldn't start it. I called aaa and car was transported to Lexus dealer who tested car and said engine failed. There were 122000 miles when tested at dealer. The car has been dealer serviced the entire time. It was serviced at 120,000 and all systems ok. I've had an 80 datsun that lasted 250,000 miles. The dealer said that used engine $8500. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11207750, filed 2019-05, 122,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the oil cooler line, the steering rack and the dashboard, since these are the repeated themes in owner complaints for this year. Service records showing whether the oil cooler line, rack or dashboard were already addressed are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 167 consumer complaints for the 2007 Lexus RX350. 141 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 17 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 12 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 149 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (7), Brakes (4), Fuel system (3), Seats (3), Suspension (3), Seat belts (2), Tires (2), Electronic stability control (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “On my drive to work this am my engine started making a loud noise, I lost almost all of my oil in less than a mile. My oil cooler pipe busted. No warning or anything. Left me stranded on the roadside. If I would have drove it any further it would have costed me an engine. The oil light flashed on and off and my car sounded like a tractor. No warning.”

NHTSA complaint #11052560, filed 2017-12, 3 miles

Steering: “My RX350 2007 has only 35,000 miles and the power rack and pinion assembly has been changed once and now the dealer told me it is bad and need to change it only after 3 years after they changed it. No sound or leaks.”

NHTSA complaint #10915611, filed 2016-10, 35,000 miles

Air bags: “Dash on rx 350 is cracking significantly. This cracking is so extreme that my wife was tempted to place a cover over the dash that would interfere with proper inflation of the airbag. I am concerned that other owners will place covers, tape, adhesives, or other measures over the bags and this could lead to an injury.”

NHTSA complaint #10924322, filed 2016-11, 35,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “My 2007 Lexus rx 350 will occasionally slow down and feel as if it is going to shut off when I press the gas. It will then suddenly accelerate and jolt causing me to depress the brakes in order to slow down. I have advised Lexus of the problem and must bring it in for service. This has been happening since I purchased the car in 2008.”

NHTSA complaint #10319648, filed 2010-03, 1,400 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

27% of the 141 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,498 and 107,000 miles.

6%0–104%10–2517%25–5022%50–7522%75–10021%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (141 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 75,000 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.

’07’0923’11’13’15’17’19’22
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2007 Lexus RX350 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RX 350 2WD3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182320$4,100
RX 350 2WD3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182320$4,100
RX 350 4WD3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172219$4,350
RX 350 4WD3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172219$4,350

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

Recall details for the 2007 Lexus RX350 → · 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. 149 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 149 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus RX350

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2022101,3560423—Not enough data
202076,97514–523—Not enough data
2019313,00034–52360 · TypicalFalling
20181812,00024–523—Falling
2017469,20034–52378 · MoreFalling
20165817,866342386 · MoreFalling
20154224,65014–52141 · TypicalFalling
2014155,50004–521—Falling
20135945,50014–52135 · FewerFalling
20123326,500142149 · TypicalFalling
20113043,500142138 · TypicalFalling
20109428,0001—2195 · MoreFalling
20099754,7440—2051 · TypicalFalling
200812669,0000—2042 · TypicalStable
200716775,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus RX350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Lexus RX350?

Owners of the 2007 RX350 most often write about engine oil leaks traced to the oil cooler hose and pipe, and about a power steering rack that leaks fluid and is commonly quoted for replacement. The issues reported most often: Engine oil cooler hose/pipe leak; Unintended acceleration and cruise-control surging; Power steering rack leak and stiff steering.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007 Lexus RX350 have?

NHTSA recorded 167 consumer complaints for the 2007 Lexus RX350 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2007 Lexus RX350 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 36 complaints (22% of the total), followed by steering with 25.

Has the 2007 Lexus RX350 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2007 Lexus RX350 get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Lexus RX350 (RX 350 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2007 Lexus RX350 reported?

Among the 141 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 47,498 and 107,000 miles; 27% 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. 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.