YearToAvoid

2017 Lexus RX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

53/100

#8 most-complained of 16 RX years

The 2017 Lexus RX has a Complaint Index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 47 complaints with 0 recalls, led by engine issues at 23% of complaints.

Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
8 / 0
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
30
31 city / 28 hwy

Top 2017 Lexus RX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other14 (30%)
  2. Engine11 (23%)
  3. Brakes9 (19%)
  4. Structure & Body5 (11%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (9%)
  6. Airbags3 (6%)
  7. Electrical System3 (6%)
  8. Fuel System3 (6%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers2 (4%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Drivers report sudden unintended acceleration where the vehicle surges forward despite the brake pedal being fully depressed, sometimes crashing into buildings or barriers.
  • Owners describe brake pedals going to the floor without stopping the vehicle, including one case rolling downhill toward a parked car and K-rail.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during side and frontal collisions, even in crashes severe enough to total the vehicle.
  • Some owners report the engine hesitating or losing power unexpectedly on the freeway, while turning, or going uphill.
  • Electrical warning lights, including the power steering and brake indicators, reportedly appeared intermittently before a brake failure event.
  • A few owners describe the vehicle stalling unexpectedly while driving, creating a near-accident situation.
2017 Lexus RX complaints: complaints filed per month4Jul 2021Jun 2022Nov 2022Jul 2023Jan 2024Sep 2024Aug 2025Mar 2026
57 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2021 to Aug 2026; peak May 2022 (4).

2017 Lexus RX recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2017 Lexus RX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
31 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other RX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Best720028.5
2016Best1328030
2017Caution5347030
2018Good3325029.5
2019Good4734129.5

All Lexus RX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Lexus RX reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2017 RX a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th worst among 16 model years and earning a Caution verdict. It sits in the middle of the pack rather than at either extreme.
What is the top problem area for the 2017 Lexus RX?
Engine complaints lead, making up 23% of all reported issues, with a median mileage at failure of 5,300 miles for that category.
Does the 2017 Lexus RX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2017 Lexus RX, based on current data.
How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2017 Lexus RX?
NHTSA has 47 complaints on file for the 2017 Lexus RX, including 8 crashes and 7 injuries.
How does the 2017 Lexus RX compare to other RX years?
The 2017 RX's Complaint Index of 53 is worse than the 2012–2016 model years, which all carry Good or Best verdicts with indexes at or below 40, but better than 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, which are marked Avoid.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.