MODELYEARINDEX

Which Lexus RX years to avoid

Across 12 scored model years, the 2010 model year carries the highest severity-weighted complaint rates.

Ownership label · Lexus RX Full report
D
Grade 2010–2021
2010 vs model median 2.1×
Model median3× median
Speed Control 39
Brakes 21
Body & Interior 12
Avoid

2010

Best

2012 · 2013

Year by year

Severity-weighted complaints filed in each model year’s first 60 months on the road, so every year is measured over an identical window.

Year Complaint volume vs median Reports Grade
2010
2.11× 119 D
2011
0.95× 32 B
2012
0.54× 23 A
2013
0.34× 16 A
2014
0.58× 21 A
2015
1.05× 54 B
2016
1.65× 83 C
2017
1.57× 83 C
2018
0.65× 38 B
2019
1.26× 75 C
2020
0.66× 34 B
2021
1.18× 77 C
2022 P
0.92× 52 B
2023 P
1.05× 79 C
2024 P
0.99× 77 C
2025 P
0.62× 31 B

P — provisional. These years have not completed 60 months on the road, so their totals are incomplete and they are excluded from the verdict.

What owners report

The component groups most often named, with one representative report. These are unverified — allegations, not findings.

2010 D 119 reports · median 11,111 mi

  1. Speed Control 39

    Lexus 2010 rx 350 cruise control traveling at 75 MPH in arizona had to slow down to about 55 MPH and when the cruise control was resumed the vehicle roared ahead. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Brakes 21

    I have a new 2010 lexus rx 350 keep stalling while I was waiting for traffic light, problem stated soon after I started driving , while mileage was around 1500, when the car stalled ABS (anti brake system) sign showed… owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Body & Interior 12

    The front head restraints will not lock in the proper position on my new lexus RX350. They keep rising until they reach the top position and they will lock in that position, but not in the first or second positions. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

24 crash · 5 fire · 12 injuries

2016 C 83 reports · median 17,366 mi

  1. Airbags & Restraints 11

    I understand that my car has a possible problem with the takata air bag and I want them replaced before a death occurs. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Brakes 10

    While driving with the vehicle on cruise control, the vehicle went from 75 MPH to 0 on the interstate. I was able to coast into a nearby rest area. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Drivetrain 9

    I was at a stop light the car all of a sudden would no longer accelerate yet the car was in drive. I took it to the dealership and they can not replicate and so I AM still driving the vehicle. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

27 crash · 2 fire · 15 injuries

The best year for the RX

Ranked by overall score among years with a full 60 months on the road.

2013 is the best-scoring RX model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 91.5 out of 100 — a score that combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations.

Yearvs medianReportsGrade
2013 0.34× 16 A
2012 0.54× 23 A
2014 0.58× 21 A

Recalls

8 campaigns on record.

Campaign Component Model years Units affected
25V744000 BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION 2023–2025 1,024,407
23V865000 AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION 2020, 2021 999,901
25V595000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL 2025 591,377
26V162000 BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE 2023–2025 144,200
25V059000 SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:WEBBING 2024, 2025 40,922
24V482000 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT 2024 11,418
25V040000 STEERING:COLUMN 2023 1,716
25V028000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP 2019 858

How long do they last?

Complaint records show when problems get reported, not how long a car survives. Where owners gave an odometer reading, faults on the 2010 were reported at a median of 11,111 miles. Treat that as the point problems start being noticed, not a lifespan.

Common questions

Answered directly from this model’s record.

Which Lexus RX years should you avoid?
2010 carry the highest severity-weighted complaint rates of any Lexus RX model year measured over an identical 60-month window.
What is the best year for the Lexus RX?
2013 is the best-scoring Lexus RX model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 91.5 out of 100. The score combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations.
How many recalls does the Lexus RX have?
8 distinct recall campaigns are on record across all scored Lexus RX model years. A recall is a matter of record: the manufacturer filed a defect report with NHTSA.

How this was calculated

Every model year is scored over an identical window: complaints filed with NHTSA during the first 60 months after that model year went on sale. Without this, older cars look worse purely because they have had longer to accumulate reports.

Limitations. Complaints are unverified reports submitted voluntarily by owners; they are allegations, not findings, and reporting rates vary between models. Model years with fewer than 60 months on the road are marked provisional and excluded from verdicts. Cross-model comparison is withheld pending production-volume data.

Full methodology · Sources · Data vintage August 9, 2026

Working 2010 RX
Complaints in window
119
Severity-weighted
223
Model median (weighted)
105
vs model median
2.11×
Recall campaigns (weighted)
0
Open investigations
0
Score 47.2 D