Lexus RX Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2013 Lexus RX Hybrid years, which carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 89, 94, 78, and 83) and, for 2006-2008, multiple recalls tied to brakes and the fuel system. Only 2015 earns a Good verdict, with a complaint index of 44.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 19
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 341
- Recall campaigns
- 13
- Crashes reported
- 54
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | No verdict | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 100 | 154 | 15 | 0 | 5 | Brakes | 26.5 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 89 | 59 | 10 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 26 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 94 | 57 | 18 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 25 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 67 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 29.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 78 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 28.5 | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28.5 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 83 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28.5 | — |
| 2014 | No verdict | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 28.5 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 44 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28.5 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 61 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 30 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 72 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 30 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 28 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 29.5 | — |
| 2019 | No verdict | 33 | 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 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 31.5 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 56 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 31.5 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 35 | — |
RX Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Lexus RX Hybrid Index 100 · 154 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2006 RX Hybrid has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, from 154 complaints, 15 crashes, and 8 injuries. Brakes account for 34% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 60,130, and owners describe sudden acceleration and brake pedals that failed to slow the vehicle. Engine issues (21%) and electrical problems (19%) follow. NHTSA lists five recalls covering the fuel system inverter, crankshaft pulley, and inverter module soldering.
2006 brakes problems →2006 engine problems →2006 electrical system problems →
2008 Lexus RX Hybrid Index 94 · 57 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2008 RX Hybrid has a complaint index of 94 from 57 complaints, with 18 crashes and 10 injuries, the highest injury count among avoid years. Brakes and engine issues are tied at 39% each, with owners describing sudden acceleration while parking and brakes that failed to stop the vehicle, at median mileages of 39,123 and 43,000. One recall covers the fuel system inverter.
2007 Lexus RX Hybrid Index 89 · 59 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2007 model has a complaint index of 89 from 59 complaints, including 10 crashes and 3 injuries. Brakes make up 34% of complaints at a median 78,800 miles; owners report delayed or unresponsive braking and sudden unintended acceleration at low speed. Engine complaints follow at 25%. Three recalls apply, covering the fuel system inverter, inverter module soldering, and a floor carpet cover retention clip.
2013 Lexus RX Hybrid Index 83 · 12 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2013 RX450h has a complaint index of 83 from 12 complaints, with 2 crashes and 2 injuries, and no recalls filed. Brakes lead at 42% with a median failure mileage of 74,000; owners describe a failing brake actuator that stopped effectively slowing the vehicle, plus a case of airbags failing to deploy in a rear-end crash and a sunroof that cracked while driving.
2011 Lexus RX Hybrid Index 78 · 12 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2011 model carries a complaint index of 78 from 12 complaints, with 2 crashes and 1 injury, and has no recalls on file. Engine problems dominate at 42% with a high median failure mileage of 157,000, alongside brake issues at 25%. Owners describe brakes that did not respond quickly enough to stop the car, plus reports of a rear seat mechanism trapping a passenger's foot and a seat belt that would not release.
Most common Lexus RX Hybrid problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Brakes116 (34%)
- Engine87 (26%)
- Electrical System64 (19%)
- Fuel System34 (10%)
- Structure & Body34 (10%)
- Other26 (8%)
- Steering23 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (6%)
- Airbags15 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Lexus RX Hybrid years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2013 as avoid years, with complaint indexes of 100, 89, 94, 78, and 83 respectively. The 2006-2008 years also carry multiple recalls related to brakes and the fuel system.
- What is the best Lexus RX Hybrid year?
- 2015 is the only year with a Good verdict, showing a complaint index of 44 from just 5 complaints. Years 2010, 2016, and 2017 are rated Caution.
- What are the most common problems on the Lexus RX Hybrid?
- Across all years, brakes account for 34% of complaints (116 total), followed by engine issues at 26% (87 complaints) and electrical system problems at 19% (64 complaints).
- Does the 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for the 2006 model year, covering the fuel system inverter, the crankshaft pulley, and inadequately soldered inverter module connections.
- Is the 2013 Lexus RX Hybrid reliable?
- The 2013 model is rated Avoid relative to other RX Hybrid years, with a complaint index of 83 from 12 complaints, mostly brake-related and centered around a median 74,000-mile failure point.