Lexus RX Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Lexus RX years to avoid are 2010, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, with complaint indexes from 75 to 100 and multiple recall campaigns on the newer years. The best years, based on NHTSA data, are 2012, 2015, and 2016, each with a complaint index of 20 or below.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2010Avoid 2020Avoid 2021Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Avoid 2025Best 2012Best 2015Best 2016
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 801
- Recall campaigns
- 9
- Crashes reported
- 81
- Fires reported
- 11
- Top problem area
- Engine
RX 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 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 5 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2006 | Good | 15 | 32 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Electrical System | 26.5 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 40 | 58 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Brakes | 26 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 55 | 70 | 5 | 2 | 0 | Engine | 25 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 45 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 75 | 76 | 9 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 29.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 50 | 29 | 4 | 2 | 0 | Engine | 28.5 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 28.5 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 25 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 28.5 | — |
| 2014 | Good | 30 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28.5 | — |
| 2015 | Best | 10 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Engine | 28.5 | — |
| 2016 | Best | 20 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Structure & Body | 30 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 65 | 47 | 8 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 30 | — |
| 2018 | Good | 35 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 29.5 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 60 | 34 | 10 | 0 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 29.5 | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 80 | 46 | 6 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 29.5 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 100 | 69 | 9 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 29.5 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 70 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 29.5 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 90 | 61 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 31.5 | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 95 | 56 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 31.5 | — |
| 2025 | Avoid | 85 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 35 | — |
RX years to avoid: what went wrong
2021 Lexus RX Index 100 · 69 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2021 RX shows the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100. Airbags account for 68% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,000, including reports of seat belts failing to engage and airbags not deploying in rear-end collisions. Structure & Body and Electrical System issues follow at smaller shares. NHTSA lists 1 recall tied to an airbag sensor. This year had 9 crashes and 9 injuries among 69 complaints, the most injuries of any RX year.
2024 Lexus RX Index 95 · 56 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2024 RX has a complaint index of 95. Electrical System problems dominate at 36%, with a median failure mileage of 9,671, including reports of steering assist systems lunging the wheel unexpectedly and automatic emergency braking triggering with no obstacle present. Engine issues follow at 16%. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering cameras and seat belts. The year saw 1 crash but 6 injuries among 56 complaints.
2023 Lexus RX Index 90 · 61 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2023 RX carries a complaint index of 90. Engine complaints lead at 21%, with a median failure mileage of 7,818.5, and owners describe sudden unintended acceleration and brake failure at low mileage. Transmission & Powertrain issues follow at 20%, with a median mileage of 9,068.5, and Electrical System problems make up 16%. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering cameras and airbag components. The year recorded 4 crashes and 5 injuries among 61 complaints.
2025 Lexus RX Index 85 · 18 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2025 RX has a complaint index of 85 despite very low mileage at failure, with a median of just 112.5 miles. Electrical System and Engine issues each account for 28% of complaints, and Brakes and Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues make up the rest. Owners describe unintended acceleration into parked structures shortly after purchase and doors that would not unlock. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year, covering cameras and electrical software.
2020 Lexus RX Index 80 · 46 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2020 RX has a complaint index of 80. Airbags dominate the complaint mix at 46%, with a median failure mileage of 46,000; owners describe airbags not deploying in crashes and sudden unintended acceleration incidents. Electrical System and Engine issues each account for 11% of complaints. NHTSA recorded 1 recall covering an airbag sensor shared across several Toyota and Lexus models. The year saw 6 crashes and 4 injuries across 46 complaints.
2010 Lexus RX Index 75 · 76 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2010 RX carries a complaint index of 75. Engine problems make up 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,800, and owners describe unintended acceleration and stalling episodes. Brakes account for 28% of complaints, with a much lower median mileage of 4,367, including reports of brakes disengaging or failing to stop the vehicle. Steering issues appear at 12% of complaints. NHTSA lists 1 recall for this model year, and the year recorded 9 crashes and 3 injuries among its 76 complaints.
Most common Lexus RX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine172 (21%)
- Other159 (20%)
- Brakes124 (15%)
- Electrical System120 (15%)
- Airbags116 (14%)
- Structure & Body83 (10%)
- Fuel System57 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain54 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras49 (6%)
- Steering42 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Lexus RX years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Lexus RX. These years have complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100, the highest in the model's history.
- What are the best Lexus RX years?
- The 2012, 2015, and 2016 Lexus RX are rated Best based on NHTSA owner complaints, with complaint indexes of 0, 10, and 20 respectively, the lowest across all 21 model years covered.
- Is the 2021 Lexus RX reliable?
- The 2021 RX has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, driven largely by airbag complaints, which make up 68% of its total. It also has 1 recall campaign tied to an airbag sensor shared with other Toyota-family vehicles.
- Does the Lexus RX have recall issues?
- Across all years covered, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the Lexus RX, concentrated in the 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years, covering airbags, cameras, seat belts, and electrical software.
- What problems are most common on the Lexus RX?
- Across all model years, Engine issues account for 21% of the 801 total complaints, followed by Brakes at 15%, Electrical System at 15%, and Airbags at 14%.