Lexus RX350 Best and Worst Years (2010–2023)
Avoid the 2010–2013 Lexus RX350; 2010 is worst with a complaint index of 100 and 94 complaints, mostly engine-related (52% share). The 2014 and 2020 model years are best, with complaint indexes of 23 and 8. Across all years, engine issues account for 32% of the 448 total complaints.
- Model years
- 14
- 2010–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 448
- Recall campaigns
- 12
- Crashes reported
- 100
- Fires reported
- 17
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 94 | 23 | 6 | 1 | Engine | 20.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 77 | 30 | 15 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 85 | 33 | 11 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 92 | 59 | 10 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Best | 23 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 21 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 54 | 42 | 7 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 69 | 58 | 11 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 22.5 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 62 | 46 | 12 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 31 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 46 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2021 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 22 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 38 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 22 | 4★ |
| 2023 | No verdict | 15 | 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 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year in this range, with 94 complaints, 23 crashes, 6 fires, 11 injuries, and 1 death. Engine problems dominate at 52% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 28,500 miles. Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or at low speeds, brake pedals that failed to slow the vehicle, and one case of smoke and acceleration to 90 mph. NHTSA recorded one recall for the accelerator pedal. Brakes and electrical issues each made up 13% of complaints.
2013 Lexus RX350 Index 92 · 59 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2013 RX350 has a complaint index of 92, second-worst in this range, with 59 complaints, 10 crashes, 3 fires, 11 injuries, and 1 death. Engine complaints lead at 25% with a median 43,000-mile failure point, followed by brakes at 22% and electrical issues at 19%. Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in a 70-mph crash, a parking brake failure that sent the car downhill through fences, and an engine fire. One recall covered the same brake actuator software issue as 2012.
2012 Lexus RX350 Index 85 · 33 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2012 RX350 has a complaint index of 85, ranking third-worst, with 33 complaints, 11 crashes, 2 fires, and 13 injuries. Engine issues account for 42% of complaints at a median 17,439 miles, and brakes make up 24% at 70,061.5 miles. Owners report unintended acceleration while parking, an electrical fire under the dash at 7,000 miles, and stuck accelerator pedals. One recall addressed a brake actuator software update shared with the 2013 model year.
2011 Lexus RX350 Index 77 · 30 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2011 RX350 ranks fourth-worst with a complaint index of 77 from 30 complaints, 15 crashes, 2 fires, and 9 injuries. Engine complaints lead at 53% with a median failure mileage of 46,953 miles, followed by brakes at 37%. Owners describe sudden acceleration events while parking or stopped at lights, resulting in collisions with curbs, walls, or other vehicles. NHTSA issued one recall covering a brake actuator calibration issue tied to the vehicle dynamics system.
Most common Lexus RX350 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine145 (32%)
- Brakes74 (17%)
- Other69 (15%)
- Fuel System61 (14%)
- Airbags50 (11%)
- Electrical System48 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain47 (10%)
- Structure & Body40 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers24 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Lexus RX350 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data marks 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 as Avoid years for the RX350, with 2010 having the highest complaint index (100) of the range.
- What is the best Lexus RX350 year to buy?
- 2014 and 2020 are listed as Best years, with complaint indexes of 23 and 8 respectively, far below the 2010 peak of 100.
- What is the most common problem with the Lexus RX350?
- Across all 448 complaints from 2010–2023, engine issues are the top problem area at 32% (145 complaints), followed by brakes at 17% and fuel system at 14%.
- Are 2015-2017 Lexus RX350 models risky?
- 2015, 2016, and 2017 are marked Caution, with complaint indexes of 54, 69, and 62, higher than the Best years but lower than the 2010-2013 Avoid years.
- Did the 2010 Lexus RX350 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2010 RX350, covering the accelerator pedal, and the model had 94 complaints including 23 crashes and 6 fires.