Lexus RX Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Lexus RX years, which have complaint indexes of 87, 93, 100, and 80, the highest of the 2010-2025 range. The 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016 model years score lowest (0, 20, 7, and 13) and are the best bets.
Avoid 2021Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Avoid 2025Best 2012Best 2014Best 2015Best 2016
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 576
- Recall campaigns
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 72
- Fires reported
- 5
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Caution | 60 | 72 | 9 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 29.5 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 40 | 29 | 4 | 2 | 0 | Engine | 28.5 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 28.5 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 27 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 28.5 | — |
| 2014 | Best | 20 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28.5 | — |
| 2015 | Best | 7 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Engine | 28.5 | — |
| 2016 | Best | 13 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Structure & Body | 30 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 53 | 47 | 8 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 30 | — |
| 2018 | Good | 33 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 29.5 | — |
| 2019 | Good | 47 | 34 | 10 | 0 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 29.5 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 67 | 46 | 6 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 29.5 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 87 | 69 | 9 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 29.5 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 73 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 29.5 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 93 | 61 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 31.5 | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 100 | 56 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 31.5 | — |
| 2025 | Avoid | 80 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 35 | — |
RX years to avoid: what went wrong
2024 Lexus RX Index 100 · 56 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2024 RX has 56 complaints and the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, ranking worst overall. Electrical System complaints lead heavily at 36% share with a median failure mileage of just 9,671, including owners reporting warning lights and software faults requiring extended dealer visits. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues (9% share, median 1,020 miles) include unexpected automatic braking activations. Four recalls apply, covering camera software, parking assist software, and a seat belt webbing issue.
2023 Lexus RX Index 93 · 61 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2023 RX shows 61 complaints and a complaint index of 93, ranking 2nd worst. Engine problems lead at 21% share with a median failure mileage of 7,818.5, including reports of unintended acceleration events. Transmission & Powertrain issues follow at 20% (median 9,068.5 miles), and Electrical System complaints sit at 16% (median 7,000 miles), often tied to ADAS malfunctions. Three recalls apply, covering rearview camera software, parking assist software, and an airbag spiral cable assembly.
2021 Lexus RX Index 87 · 69 complaints · 1 recalls
NHTSA lists 69 complaints for the 2021 RX, with a complaint index of 87 and rank 3 of 16 worst. Airbags dominate, making up 68% of complaints, with owners reporting seat belts and airbags failing to engage properly during crashes at a median 76,000 miles. Structure & Body issues, including seat recliner mechanisms failing during rear-end impacts, appear as well. A recall (23V865000) covers an airbag sensor issue shared with several other Toyota and Lexus models.
2025 Lexus RX Index 80 · 18 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2025 RX has 18 complaints and a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst. Electrical System and Engine issues each make up 28% of complaints, with Engine failures showing an extremely low median mileage of 112.5. Brakes account for 17% (also median 112.5 miles), with owners describing unintended acceleration paired with brake pedals that felt hard and unresponsive. Four recalls apply, including camera software and an instrument panel software update.
Most common Lexus RX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine118 (20%)
- Other118 (20%)
- Airbags94 (16%)
- Electrical System84 (15%)
- Brakes80 (14%)
- Structure & Body51 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras47 (8%)
- Fuel System41 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain40 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Lexus RX should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Lexus RX. These years have complaint indexes of 87, 93, 100, and 80, the four highest in the 2010-2025 range.
- What are the best Lexus RX years to buy?
- The 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016 Lexus RX years score best, with complaint indexes of 0, 20, 7, and 13 respectively, the lowest in the lineup.
- Is the 2024 Lexus RX reliable?
- The 2024 RX has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 56 total complaints. Electrical System issues make up 36% of those complaints, at a median failure mileage of just 9,671.
- Does the Lexus RX have airbag recalls?
- Yes. The 2021 RX is covered by recall 23V865000 for an airbag sensor issue, and the 2023 RX is covered by recall 25V040000 for an airbag spiral cable assembly.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the Lexus RX overall?
- NHTSA lists 576 total complaints across 16 model years (2010-2025) of the Lexus RX, plus 8 recall campaigns.