Lexus RX350 Best and Worst Years (2005–2023)
Avoid the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013 Lexus RX350, with 2010 posting the highest complaint index at 100 and 2007 close behind at 94, both dominated by engine and unintended acceleration reports. The 2020 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of just 17, and 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2022 are also Good years.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 19
- 2005–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 838
- Recall campaigns
- 13
- Crashes reported
- 135
- Fires reported
- 23
- Top problem area
- Engine
RX350 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 RX350 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2006 | No verdict | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 94 | 167 | 17 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 19.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 89 | 126 | 11 | 4 | 0 | Engine | 19.5 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 83 | 97 | 7 | 1 | 0 | Steering | 19.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 94 | 23 | 6 | 1 | Engine | 20.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 61 | 30 | 15 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 72 | 33 | 11 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 78 | 59 | 10 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Good | 28 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 21 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 50 | 42 | 7 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 58 | 11 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 22.5 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 56 | 46 | 12 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 33 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 44 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 17 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2021 | No verdict | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 22 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 39 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 22 | 4★ |
| 2023 | No verdict | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 24.5 | 5★ |
RX350 years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Lexus RX350 Index 100 · 94 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2010 RX350 ranks worst of all RX350 years with a complaint index of 100. Engine complaints dominate at 52% share and a 28,500-mile median failure point, the lowest median mileage among avoid years. Owners described sudden acceleration events during low-speed parking maneuvers, sometimes with smoke from the tires or brakes that failed to slow the vehicle. NHTSA tied 23 crashes, 6 fires, 11 injuries, and 1 death to this year, and a recall addressed accelerator pedal and floor mat issues.
2007 Lexus RX350 Index 94 · 167 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2007 RX350 carries a complaint index of 94, the second-highest of any RX350 year. Engine problems make up 42% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,000. Owners reported unintended acceleration events at lower mileages, including one at 33,000 miles and another as low as 12,179 miles, sometimes ending in crashes. Steering complaints (15% share, 85,210 median mileage) and structure/body issues (14% share) round out the pattern. NHTSA recorded 17 crashes and 12 injuries tied to 2007 complaints, plus one recall covering a floor carpet retention clip.
2007 engine problems →2007 steering problems →2007 structure & body problems →
2008 Lexus RX350 Index 89 · 126 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2008 model has a complaint index of 89. Engine complaints account for 25% of reports at a 70,000-mile median, closely followed by electrical system issues at 21% and a 73,175-mile median. Owners described sudden acceleration while parking or reversing at low speeds, in some cases the vehicle continuing to accelerate despite braking. Brake-related smoke and locking were also reported. NHTSA logged 11 crashes, 4 fires, and 10 injuries for this year, and no recall campaigns were issued specifically for it.
2008 engine problems →2008 electrical system problems →2008 structure & body problems →
2009 Lexus RX350 Index 83 · 97 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2009 RX350 has a complaint index of 83. Steering leads its problem areas at 29% of complaints with a 54,660-mile median, followed by engine issues at 22% and an 89,000-mile median. Owners reported sudden acceleration while parking or backing out of driveways, along with brakes that failed to slow the vehicle during cruise-control disengagement attempts. NHTSA recorded 7 crashes and 2 injuries linked to this year's complaints, with no recalls issued specifically for 2009.
2009 steering problems →2009 engine problems →2009 structure & body problems →
2013 Lexus RX350 Index 78 · 59 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2013 RX350 has a complaint index of 78. Engine complaints lead at 25% share with a 43,000-mile median, followed closely by brake issues at 22% share and a 20,650-mile median. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and a parking brake that failed to hold the vehicle on an incline, along with an engine fire reported while driving on a freeway. NHTSA recorded 10 crashes, 3 fires, 11 injuries, and 1 death for this year, and a recall addressed a brake actuator software issue.
Most common Lexus RX350 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine268 (32%)
- Other112 (13%)
- Electrical System106 (13%)
- Structure & Body105 (13%)
- Brakes98 (12%)
- Steering87 (10%)
- Airbags85 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain71 (8%)
- Fuel System64 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers35 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Lexus RX350 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013 model years are rated Avoid, with 2010 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 2007 at 94.
- What is the best year for the Lexus RX350?
- The 2020 model year is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 17, the lowest among all RX350 years. The 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2022 model years are also rated Good.
- What is the most common problem with the Lexus RX350?
- Across all model years, engine problems are the top complaint category, making up 32% of the 838 total complaints, followed by electrical system and structure/body issues at 13% each.
- Does the Lexus RX350 have engine recalls?
- Yes. The 2010 model year had a recall tied to accelerator pedal and floor mat issues, and across all RX350 years NHTSA lists 13 total recall campaigns.
- Is the 2013 Lexus RX350 reliable?
- The 2013 RX350 is rated Avoid relative to other RX350 years, with a complaint index of 78 and engine complaints as its top problem area at a 43,000-mile median failure point.