CarBrief

NHTSA has 67 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Lexus RX[1]. It also has 4 recalls, and each one lists a repair at no cost to the owner[2][3][4][5].

67owner complaints[1]
4recalls[6]
24–36MPG combined (EPA)[7]
4–5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 67 complaints for this model year[1]. Five mention a crash, and 5 injuries are reported[1]. None mention a fire or a death[1]. These are reports from owners.

Here is how the complaints split by component group:

Component group Complaints
Unknown or other[9] 16
Power train[10] 13
Engine[11] 11
Electrical system[12] 10
Structure[13] 8
Lane departure[14] 4
Air bags[15] 3
Fuel/propulsion system[16] 3

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts. They are not a count of all owners, so treat them as hints about what to check.

Air bag complaints are few at 3, but they report 3 crashes and 3 injuries[15]. The complaint data says nothing about how often any of this happens across all cars on the road.

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls that cover the 2023 RX. All four say dealers do the repair at no cost[2][3][4][5]. Newest first:

Before you buy, ask the seller for proof that these were done.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the RX at 24 to 36 combined MPG depending on version[17][7]. The RX 350h AWD is the most efficient of the four[7].

Version Engine City / Hwy / Combined EPA yearly fuel cost
RX 350 (front-wheel drive)[18] 2.4L 4-cyl turbo 22 / 29 / 25 $3,300
RX 350 AWD[17] 2.4L 4-cyl turbo 21 / 28 / 24 $3,400
RX 500h AWD[19] 2.4L 4-cyl turbo 27 / 28 / 27 $3,050
RX 350h AWD[7] 2.5L 4-cyl 37 / 34 / 36 $2,300

All four use premium fuel[18][17][19][7].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive RX 5 stars overall[8]. It scores 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 for side crash and 4 for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[8].

The front-wheel-drive RX gets 4 stars overall, with the same 4, 5 and 4 for frontal, side and rollover[20]. Its rollover risk is 16.9%[20].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 2.4L 4-cylinder at 271 to 275 hp depending on version[21]. The 2.5L 4-cylinder is rated at 187 hp[22].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications[23].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
RX 350[23] 193 in 76 in 67 in 112 in 4,288 lb
RX 350h[24] 193 in 76 in 67 in 112 in 4,431 lb
RX 500h[25] 193 in 76 in 67 in 112 in 4,751 lb

How 2023 compares with other years

1999: 256 complaints, 2 recalls19992000: 245 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 188 complaints, 0 recalls2002: 100 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 29 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 40 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 29 complaints, 2 recalls20052006: 186 complaints, 6 recalls2007: 284 complaints, 3 recalls2008: 253 complaints, 1 recalls20082009: 131 complaints, 0 recalls2010: 192 complaints, 1 recalls2011: 71 complaints, 1 recalls20112012: 48 complaints, 1 recalls2013: 90 complaints, 1 recalls2014: 29 complaints, 0 recalls20142015: 67 complaints, 1 recalls2016: 93 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 103 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 47 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 68 complaints, 4 recalls2020: 56 complaints, 2 recalls20202021: 71 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 39 complaints, 0 recalls2023: 67 complaints, 4 recalls6720232024: 60 complaints, 4 recalls2025: 24 complaints, 4 recalls2026: 11 complaints, 3 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RX model year. The 2023 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19992562
20002450
20011880
20021000
2003290
2004402
2005292
20061866
20072843
20082531
20091310
20101921
2011711
2012481
2013901
2014290
2015671
2016933
20171033
2018472
2019684
2020562
2021712
2022390
2023674
2024604
2025244
2026113

NHTSA's counts for each Lexus RX model year put 2023 at 67 complaints and 4 recalls[6]. The 2022 model year has 39 complaints and 0 recalls[6]. The 2024 year has 60 complaints and 4 recalls[6].

Some other years show bigger complaint counts. For example, 2021 has 71 complaints, 2019 has 68 and 2007 has 284[6]. The most recalls in any listed year is 6, for 2006[6]. So 2023 is not the worst RX year on either count, and it is not the lightest one either.

Should you buy a used 2023 Lexus RX?

NHTSA lists 67 complaints, and the four recalls all have a remedy available[1][2][3][4][5]. Make sure each recall has been done, especially the two air bag related ones[4][5]. On a test drive, pay attention to smooth acceleration from a stop, because owners in the sample we read describe hesitation and shuddering[10][11]. Ask about the 12V battery and starting history, since owners describe no-start problems[12]. A pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step for any used car.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Lexus RX?
NHTSA lists 67 complaints, with the largest named groups being unknown or other (16), power train (13) and engine (11)[1][9][10][11]. In a small sample we read, owners describe hesitation, shuddering and battery-related no-starts[10][11][12].
Does the 2023 Lexus RX have any recalls?
Yes, four: 26V162, 25V744, 25V040 and 23V480. Each lists a repair at no cost[2][3][4][5].
What MPG does the 2023 Lexus RX get?
EPA rates it from 24 combined MPG for the RX 350 AWD up to 36 combined MPG for the RX 350h AWD[17][7].
What is the safety rating of the 2023 Lexus RX?
NHTSA gives the AWD version 5 stars overall and the FWD version 4 stars overall[8][20].
Is 2023 a bad year for the Lexus RX?
Compared with other years in NHTSA's counts, 2023 has 67 complaints and 4 recalls, which is neither the highest nor the lowest[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 67 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Lexus RX (5 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 26V162, filed March 18, 2026: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 25V744, filed October 30, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Display Function. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 25V040, filed January 29, 2025: Steering › Column. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 23V480, filed July 12, 2023: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Clockspring / Spiral Cassette. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus RX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for RX 350h AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 37 city / 34 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 11 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 10 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 8 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 3 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for RX 350 AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for RX 350, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for RX 500h AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 28 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Lexus RX with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 271 to 275 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Lexus RX with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 187 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RX 350 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,288 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RX 350h 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,431 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RX 500h 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 76 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,751 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.