2009 Lexus RX350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Lexus RX350 ranks 4th worst out of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 83 and 97 NHTSA complaints. Steering, engine, and structure/body issues dominate, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other RX350 years, though no recalls are on file for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 83/100
- #4 of 19 RX350 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 97
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17.5 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2009 Lexus RX350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering28 (29%)
- Engine21 (22%)
- Structure & Body17 (18%)
- Electrical System11 (11%)
- Other9 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (8%)
- Airbags7 (7%)
- Brakes6 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly accelerate or surge unexpectedly at low speeds, such as while parking or backing out of a driveway.
- Owners describe brakes that fail to respond or feel unresponsive when trying to stop or slow the vehicle, sometimes leading to a crash into another car or object.
- Cruise control reportedly failed to disengage when the driver tried to slow down using the brake pedal or steering column lever.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during side or frontal impacts, including one Takata-related incident where the airbag never triggered.
- A rear seat belt reportedly retracted and tightened around a child's neck instead of releasing when needed.
- One vehicle reportedly caught fire near the rear tailgate area while parked, with no occupants inside at the time.
2009 Lexus RX350 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2009 Lexus RX350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 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.
2009 compared with other RX350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Lexus RX350 reliable?
- Compared with other RX350 model years, the 2009 ranks 4th worst out of 19 years tracked, with a complaint index of 83 and 97 NHTSA complaints, most concentrated in steering.
- What is the main problem with the 2009 Lexus RX350?
- Steering is the top complaint area, accounting for 28 of 97 complaints (29%), with a median failure mileage of 54,660 miles. Engine problems are the second-largest category at 21 complaints.
- Does the 2009 Lexus RX350 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 RX350 in this data, unlike several other RX350 years such as 2007, 2010, and 2011-2013 which each have at least one.
- What year Lexus RX350 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013 all carry an Avoid verdict, with 2010 having the highest complaint index at 100.
- How does the 2009 RX350 compare to newer RX350 years?
- The 2009 model's complaint index of 83 is far higher than later years like 2020 (index 17, Best verdict) and 2018 (index 33, Good verdict), indicating more reported problems relative to those years.