YearToAvoid

2023 Lexus RX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

93/100

#2 most-complained of 16 RX years

The 2023 Lexus RX ranks 2nd worst of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 93, 61 NHTSA complaints, and 3 recalls. Engine issues lead complaints at 21% share, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other RX years.

Complaints
61
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
31.5
32 city / 31 hwy

Top 2023 Lexus RX problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe unintended acceleration, with the vehicle jumping or surging forward without warning, in some cases at a stoplight or in a parking lot.
  • Some drivers report the ADAS system disabling itself repeatedly with malfunction alerts within weeks of purchase, even after clearing the warning.
  • Owners describe severe vibration or shudder in reverse and uncontrollable jerking while stopped, with no warning lights present.
  • Reports describe rain-sensing wipers that swipe once then stop, requiring the system to be turned off and on to restart.
  • Owners describe interior dashboard trim separating shortly after delivery, exposing plastic clips and wiring underneath.
  • Some drivers report paint that chips through to the plastic underneath from normal driving conditions.
2023 Lexus RX complaints: complaints filed per month8Jul 2023Nov 2023Apr 2024Aug 2024Jan 2025Oct 2025Feb 2026Jul 2026
77 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)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Avoid8769129.5
2022Caution7329029.5
2023Avoid9361331.5
2024Avoid10056431.5
2025Avoid8018435

All Lexus RX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Lexus RX reliable?
Compared with other RX model years, the 2023 ranks 2nd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 93 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
What problems does the 2023 Lexus RX have?
NHTSA lists 61 complaints for the 2023 RX, led by Engine issues at 21% share and Transmission & Powertrain at 20% share. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 7,818.5 miles.
Does the 2023 Lexus RX have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2023 RX covering the rearview camera display, the Panoramic View Monitor software, and an airbag spiral cable assembly replacement.
How does the 2023 RX compare to other years?
The 2023 RX has a Complaint Index of 93, worse than most other years except 2024 (100) and 2021 (87), both also rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Lexus RX?
The 2023 RX gets an EPA combined rating of 31.5 mpg (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.