YearToAvoid

2023 Lexus RX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2023 Lexus RX has a complaint index of 90, ranking 3rd worst among 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 61 complaints, 3 recalls, 4 crashes, and 5 injuries, with engine issues the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
90/100
#3 of 21 RX years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
61
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2016
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
31.5
32 city / 31 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2023 Lexus RX problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other14 (23%)
  2. Engine13 (21%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain12 (20%)
  4. Electrical System10 (16%)
  5. Structure & Body8 (13%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (7%)
  7. Lane Departure4 (7%)
  8. Fuel System3 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers3 (5%)
  10. Airbags2 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners describe unintended acceleration events, with the vehicle surging forward without warning at a stop or in a parking lot.
  • Owners report the ADAS system repeatedly disabling itself and throwing malfunction alerts within weeks of purchase.
  • Drivers of the RX500h describe extreme vibration or shudder in reverse and jerking motion while stopped, with no warning lights.
  • Rain-sensing wipers reportedly swipe once then stop working, requiring the wipers to be turned off and on to restart.
  • Owners note interior dashboard trim separating shortly after delivery, exposing plastic clips and wiring.
  • Some drivers report the driver-side airbag failing to deploy in a crash while other airbags deployed as intended.
2023 Lexus RX complaints: complaints filed per month8Jul 2023Nov 2023Apr 2024Aug 2024Jan 2025Oct 2025Feb 2026Jul 2026
61 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2023 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2026 (8).

2023 Lexus RX recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V162000Mar 18, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras144,200 vehicles

    Back over prevention:software

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB02 and 26LA02.

  2. NHTSA 25V744000Oct 30, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,024,407 vehicles

    Back over prevention:display function

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

  3. NHTSA 25V040000Jan 29, 2025Airbags1,716 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.

2023 Lexus RX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
32 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
31.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,575
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.

2023 compared with other RX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Avoid10069129.5
2022Caution7029029.5
2023Avoid9061331.5
2024Avoid9556431.5
2025Avoid8518435

All Lexus RX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Lexus RX reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2023 RX a complaint index of 90, the 3rd highest (worst) among 21 model years of the RX, resulting in an Avoid verdict for reported problems.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Lexus RX?
NHTSA complaints point to the engine (21% of complaints), transmission and powertrain (20%), and electrical system (16%) as the top problem areas, with a median failure mileage around 7,818 to 9,068 miles depending on the system.
Does the 2023 Lexus RX have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2023 RX covering rearview camera display issues, the Panoramic View Monitor software, and an airbag spiral cable assembly, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2023 RX compare to other RX years?
The 2023 RX's complaint index of 90 is worse than most other years; only 2021 (100) and 2024 (95) score higher, while years like 2012 and 2015 score far lower with Best verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Lexus RX?
EPA rates the 2023 RX at 31.5 mpg combined (32 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,575.

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.