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Research · Subcompact Cars

2015 Lexus RC 350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 7 owner complaints for the 2015 Lexus RC 350. Most complaints involve seats (4) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
7
Top: seats
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 13, 2020NHTSA 20V012000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2015 – May 2018
  1. Seats4
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Exterior lighting1
  4. Structure1
  5. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RC 350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20157
20193
20201
20221
20251
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Seats

4 reports
“SAME ISSUE AS STATED IN NHTSA ID NUMBERS 10881898, 10761786 AND 10748834. SPORADIC SEAT COOLING PROBLEM -- PANELS ON SEAT BACK SOMETIMES HEAT IN COOLING MODE. FOR ONE TEST I DID, THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AND COOL (SO EXISTING HEAT FROM THE CAR BEING PARKED IN THE SUN WAS NOT A FACTOR). I STARTED THE CAR, TURNED ON THE SEAT COOLERS AND GOT OUT (SO BODY HEAT WAS NOT A FACTOR). I COULD VERY SPECIFICALLY FEEL HEAT ON THE TOP PANEL OF THE SEAT BACK (BOTH THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE PASSENGER SEAT). I TOOK IT INTO MY LOCAL LEXUS DEALER (SEPTEMBER, 2015) AND THEY REPORTED "SEATS COOLING PROPERLY WITHOUT FAULT". HOWEVER, AS THERE ARE 3 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, THERE WOULD PERHAPS SEEM TO BE A NON-ISOLATED PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2016SeatsODI 10906864

Electrical system

2 reports
“WHEN I AM USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS COOL AND FEELS GOOD BUT THE BACK UPPER PORTION NEAR SHOULDER BLADES FEELS LIKE ITS BEING HEATED. I HAVE THE COLD AIR ON IN THE CAR AND THE COLD AIR ON IN THE SEATS AND I CAN HAVE BOTH AT MAXIMUM COOL AND IT WILL STILL HEAT UP. WORSE IS THAT IT IS RANDOM BUT HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON OTHER CARS TOO AS SEEN IN FORUMS. WHEN YOU TURN THE COOLING SEATS OFF IT WILL COOL DOWN AND WHEN YOU TURN THEM BACK ON THEN IT WILL HEAT UP AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2015Electrical system, SeatsODI 10761786

Exterior lighting

1 report
“NOTHING TOOK PLACE THAT RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL BEHAVIOR TO OCCUR....THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS AS IF IT HAS SOME SORT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT; THEN AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF ON-GOING BLINKING,IT HAS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. ULTIMATELY, THE LEFT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS COMPLETELY OUT WHICH IS DANGEROUS (ILLEGAL) TO DRIVE WITH OUT IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2017Exterior lightingODI 11051252
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RC 350
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,600401
RC 350 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
192621$3,800413
  • RC 350
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • RC 350 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 Lexus RC 350 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 RC 350 questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Lexus RC 350 have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Lexus RC 350 problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seats (4), electrical system (2), exterior lighting (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Lexus RC 350 get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Lexus RC 350 at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026