Lexus RX350 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lexus RX350 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 2021 drew the fewest (1) and the 2007 the most (167).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Structure | 4★ | 22–23 |
| 2023 | 4 | 1 | Air bags | 4★ | 24–25 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
7 | 1 | Fuel system | 4★ | 22–23 |
| 2022 | 10 | 0 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 22–23 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
15 | 0 | Air bags | 4★ | 20–21 |
| 2018 | 18 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system | 4★ | 22–23 |
| 2011 | 30 | 1 | Service brakes | 4★ | 20–21 |
| 2019 | 31 | 3 | Fuel/propulsion system | 4★ | 22–23 |
| 2012 | 33 | 1 | Vehicle speed control | 4★ | 20–21 |
| 2015 | 42 | 1 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 20–21 |
| 2017 | 46 | 3 | Service brakes | 4★ | 22–23 |
| 2016 | 58 | 3 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 22–23 |
| 2013 | 59 | 1 | Service brakes | 4★ | 20–21 |
| 2010 | 94 | 1 | Vehicle speed control | — | 20–21 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
97 | 0 | Steering | — | 19–20 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
126 | 0 | Structure | — | 19–20 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
167 | 1 | Engine | — | 19–20 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lexus RX350 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.
2007 Lexus RX350: 167 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 36 (22%); Steering 25 (15%); Air bags 22 (13%).
Reports mention 17 crashes, 1 fire, 12 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2008 Lexus RX350: 126 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 24 (19%); Steering 18 (14%); Electrical system 17 (13%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 4 fires, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 69,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Lexus RX350: 97 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 28 (29%); Structure 17 (18%); Engine 12 (12%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 54,744 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Lexus RX350 years with the fewest complaints
2020 Lexus RX350: 7 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 4 (57%); Fuel/propulsion system 2 (29%); Electrical system 1 (14%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2014 Lexus RX350: 15 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 4 (27%); Power train 3 (20%); Structure 3 (20%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 5,500 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lexus RX350 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3,000 |
| 2018 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12,000 |
| 2017 | 46 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9,200 |
| 2016 | 58 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 18,000 |
| 2015 | 42 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 27,000 |
| 2014 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5,500 |
| 2013 | 59 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 60,000 |
| 2012 | 33 | 11 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 26,500 |
| 2011 | 30 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 44,000 |
| 2010 | 94 | 23 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 28,000 |
| 2009 | 97 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 54,744 |
| 2008 | 126 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 69,000 |
| 2007 | 167 | 17 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 75,000 |
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 RX350 recalls
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2017–2019 model years; 1,830,752 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V012000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2017–2020 model years; 1,525,742 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2020; 20V682000)
- FLOOR CARPET COVER AND RETENTION CLIPS (2004–2007 model years; 769,379 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2011; 11V112000)
- Brake Actuator Assembly may Disable ESC and ABS (2012–2013 model years; 261,114 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2014; 14V054000)
- FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE W/ACCELERATOR PEDAL (2010 model year; 164,601 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2012; 12V305000)
All 13 Lexus RX350 recall campaigns · Lexus RX350 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 RX350 years FAQ
Which Lexus RX350 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). 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 RX350 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 2007, 2008 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the vehicle speed control. 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 RX350 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the vehicle speed control (133 of 838 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lexus RX350 have?
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns covering the Lexus RX350. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lexus RX350 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.