Lexus RX Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
The Lexus RX Hybrid years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2017, based on complaint indexes of 79, 93, 100, and 86 out of 15 model years with data. No single year stands out as clearly best, but 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020 carry much lower complaint indexes.
- Model years
- 15
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 69
- Recall campaigns
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 11
- Fires reported
- 2
- Top problem area
- Brakes
RX Hybrid Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Lexus RX Hybrid problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 79 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 29.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 93 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 28.5 | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28.5 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28.5 | — |
| 2014 | No verdict | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 28.5 | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 57 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28.5 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 71 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 30 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 86 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 30 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 29.5 | — |
| 2019 | No verdict | 36 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 29.5 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 50 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 29.5 | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 29.5 | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 31.5 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 64 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 31.5 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 43 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 35 | — |
RX Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Lexus RX Hybrid Index 100 · 12 complaints · 0 recalls
NHTSA lists 12 complaints for the 2013 RX Hybrid, giving it the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, though no recalls were issued. Brakes were the leading concern at 42% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 74,000. Owners reported a brake actuator failing to stop the vehicle at low speed and a sunroof that cracked apart while driving at highway speed. Airbags failing to deploy in a rear-end collision were also reported. This year recorded two crashes and two injuries.
2011 Lexus RX Hybrid Index 93 · 12 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2011 RX Hybrid logged 12 complaints and a complaint index of 93, with no recalls filed. Engine problems were the top category at 42% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 157,000. Owners described unresponsive brakes at low speed leading to a collision, a rear seat that trapped a passenger's foot while repositioning automatically, and a seat belt that would not release with the button. NHTSA recorded two crashes and one injury for this model year.
2017 Lexus RX Hybrid Index 86 · 10 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2017 RX Hybrid shows 10 complaints and a complaint index of 86, with no recalls on file. Electrical system issues led at 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 40,000. Owners reported the vehicle moving independently while parking and crashing into a wall, brakes failing to engage during a stop that ended in a tree collision, and a monitoring system sending false alerts about the vehicle being unlocked. Two crashes and one injury were recorded for this year.
2010 Lexus RX Hybrid Index 79 · 8 complaints · 1 recalls
NHTSA data shows 8 complaints for the 2010 RX Hybrid with a complaint index of 79 and one recall tied to the engine. Engine issues made up half of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 45,000. Owners reported an oil cooler hose rupture that drained oil and led to a fire, plus a fuel pump failure that caused stalling at 46,000 miles. One report described the hybrid system running silently after being left on, filling a garage with exhaust. One crash, one fire, and one injury were recorded for this year.
Most common Lexus RX Hybrid problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Brakes21 (30%)
- Engine18 (26%)
- Electrical System16 (23%)
- Other13 (19%)
- Structure & Body7 (10%)
- Airbags6 (9%)
- Fuel System5 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (1%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Lexus RX Hybrid years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2017, with complaint indexes of 79, 93, 100, and 86 respectively.
- What is the worst year for the Lexus RX Hybrid?
- The 2013 RX Hybrid has the highest complaint index at 100 out of all 15 model years with data, driven mainly by brake complaints making up 42% of its reports.
- Is the 2015 or 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid reliable?
- 2015 and 2016 are marked Caution, with complaint indexes of 57 and 71. Both years show brakes as the top reported problem area.
- What are the most common problems across all Lexus RX Hybrid years?
- Across all years with data, brakes account for 30% of complaints, engine issues for 26%, and electrical system issues for 23%, out of 69 total complaints and 8 recall campaigns.
- Does the Lexus RX Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns across the 2010-2025 RX Hybrid model years, including an engine-related recall for the 2010 model year.