Lexus RX Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lexus RX model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2012 drew the fewest (12) and the 2010 the most (77).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
9 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 27–36 |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
12 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 28–29 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
12 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 28–29 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
19 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 28–29 |
| 2015 | 20 | 0 | Engine | — | 28–29 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
20 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 27–36 |
| 2018 | 26 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 21–30 |
| 2016 | 28 | 0 | Structure | — | 30 |
| 2011 | 29 | 0 | Engine | — | 28–29 |
| 2022 | 29 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 21–30 |
| 2009 | 34 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2019 | 34 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | — | 21–30 |
| 2020 | 46 | 1 | Air bags | — | 21–30 |
| 2017 | 47 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 30 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
57 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 27–36 |
| 2007 | 58 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 26 |
| 2023 | 62 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | 27–36 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
70 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 25 |
| 2021 Among the most complaints |
70 | 1 | Air bags | — | 21–30 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
77 | 0 | Engine | — | 29–30 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lexus RX years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2010 Lexus RX: 77 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 21 (27%); Service brakes 18 (23%); Vehicle speed control 10 (13%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 25,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Lexus RX: 70 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 47 (67%); Electrical system 4 (6%); Forward collision avoidance 4 (6%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 9 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
2008 Lexus RX: 70 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 16 (23%); Engine 15 (21%); Structure 7 (10%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 114,366 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Lexus RX years with the fewest complaints
2012 Lexus RX: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (25%); Engine 3 (25%); Service brakes 2 (17%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Lexus RX: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 3 (25%); Air bags 2 (17%); Fuel/propulsion system 2 (17%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries, 1 death. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Lexus RX: 19 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (16%); Air bags 2 (11%); Service brakes 2 (11%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lexus RX owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 57 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 62 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 70 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 46 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 34 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 47 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2013 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 29 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 130,000 |
| 2010 | 77 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 25,000 |
| 2009 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2008 | 70 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 114,366 |
| 2007 | 58 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 94,853 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Lexus RX recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2023–2026 model years; 1,024,407 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V744000)
- OCS Sensors May Short Circuit (2020–2021 model years; 999,901 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V865000)
- BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (2004–2006 model years; 728,544 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2010; 10V499000)
- Instrument Panel Failure (2025 model year; 591,377 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2025; 25V595000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2023–2026 model years; 144,200 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2026; 26V162000)
All 10 Lexus RX recall campaigns · Lexus RX problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Lexus RX years FAQ
Which Lexus RX year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2012 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (12). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Lexus RX years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2010, 2021 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Lexus RX problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (130 of 759 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lexus RX have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Lexus RX. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lexus RX recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.