Lexus RX Reliability: Best and Worst Years

The Lexus RX is a two-row midsize luxury crossover that went on sale in 1998 and is described by many sources as the first luxury crossover SUV. It has been offered with front- or all-wheel drive and has had a hybrid version since the 2006 model year. The model name reflects the powertrain, such as RX 330, RX 350 and RX 450h. This page lines up every Lexus RX model year from 2010 to 2024 on one scale, so you can see which years drew unusual numbers of owner reports and which stayed quiet.

Why these years stand out

2010: most complaints. The 2010 Lexus RX scored 200 complaints per 100,000 sold, 2.9 times the model average. Of its 192 complaints, 52 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are vehicle speed control (49), engine (34) and electrical system (18). NHTSA lists 1 recall for this model year and 1 defect investigation.

2014, 2018 and 2022: fewest complaints. The 2014 drew 30 complaints, or 28 per 100,000 sold; The 2018 drew 47 complaints, or 42 per 100,000 sold; The 2022 drew 39 complaints, or 41 per 100,000 sold. These years have been on the road at least three years, which gives owners time to report problems, so a low count means something.

What Lexus RX owners report most

Engine complaints lead for the Lexus RX, at 16% of all complaints for 2010-2024. Engine and transmission reports together make up 24%. One complaint can name more than one system, so the bars can add up to more than the total.

When problems are reported: mileage

533 Lexus RX complaints list the odometer reading at the time of the problem. 71% were reported before 50,000 miles and 13% after 100,000. Most reports come early in ownership, which points to problems that show up while the vehicle is still fairly new.

Lexus RX compared with other luxury suvs

In 15 of 15 model years the Lexus RX drew fewer complaints per 100,000 sold than the average luxury suv we track for the same year. For 2024, the Lexus RX scored 51 against a class average of 83. The class average only uses models with clean, published sales figures.

Lexus RX generations

• 2005-2009
  Second generation

  3.3L V6 (RX 330); 3.5L V6 (RX 350); 3.3L V6 hybrid (RX 400h) · 5-speed automatic; CVT (hybrid)

  The RX 400h went on sale in 2005 as a 2006 model and was the first production premium hybrid vehicle.

• 2010-2015
  Third generation

  3.5L V6; 3.5L V6 hybrid (RX 450h) · 6-speed automatic; 8-speed automatic (F Sport); CVT (hybrid)

  A facelift revealed in 2012 brought new lights and grilles and an F Sport version with an 8-speed automatic.

• 2016-2022
  Fourth generation

  3.5L V6; 3.5L V6 hybrid · 8-speed automatic; CVT (hybrid)

  The three-row RX 350L and RX 450hL were announced in November 2017 as 2018 models.

• 2023-2024
  Fifth generation

  2.4L turbo four (RX 350); 2.5L four hybrid (RX 350h); 2.4L turbo four hybrid (RX 500h); 2.5L four plug-in hybrid (RX 450h+) · 8-speed automatic; CVT (RX 350h and RX 450h+); 6-speed automatic (RX 500h)

  The redesign replaced the V6 with four-cylinder engines and dropped the three-row RX L.

The RX 350 with a 3.5L V6 replaced the RX 330 in 2006. A facelift for the 2020 model year made a 12.3-inch screen standard in place of the earlier 8-inch display.

Lexus RX fuel economy

The 2026 Lexus RX is rated at 24 to 36 MPG combined by the EPA, depending on the version. Every year and engine will be on its own MPG page.

Questions