Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2007 Lexus RX350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 225 owner complaints for the 2007 Lexus RX350. Most complaints involve engine (44) and structure (31). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2011
Owner complaints
225
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

Vehicle speed controlReported Feb 24, 2011NHTSA 11V112000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

225 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2006 – Apr 2026
  1. Engine44
  2. Structure31
  3. Steering29
  4. Air bags28
  5. Vehicle speed control23
  6. Electrical system20
  7. Exterior lighting14
  8. Service brakes13
  9. Engine and engine cooling13

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 RX350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007225
2008196
2009131
2010171
201154
201245
201378
201427
201562
201686
201794
201844
201965
20230
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

44 reports1 fire
“I PURCHASED A USED 2007 LEXUS RX350 FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. IT HAD A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES. EVERYTHING WORKED PERFECTLY, NO COMPLAINTS WHATSOEVER. UNTIL, MY SON BORROWED IT, AND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IT, HE SAID IT QUIT. HE LOST ALL POWER STEERING, SO HE PULLED OVER. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC. WHEN THE MECHANIC CALLED ME, HE SAID THE OIL COOLING LINE BUSTED, WHICH MADE THE OIL PUMP EMPTY THE ENGINE'S OIL. HE SAID IT WOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. HE SAID THE CAR IS WORTH NOTHING. I PAID $9K FOR THIS CAR A YEAR AGO, AND NOW IT IS NOT WORTH $100. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA/LEXUS, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. TO ME - THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. IN MY OPINION, SINCE TOYOTA KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT DIDN'T RECALL IT, THEY EITHER NEED TO COVER THE COST OF A NEW ENGINE, OR BUY THE CAR BACK FROM ME. I AM VERY UPSET OVER THIS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2020EngineODI 11360610

Structure

31 reports2 crashes
“I saw on the internet while I was looking for new mats this year my Lexus RX 350, 2007, vin [XXX] was recalled for the dashboard until May 2017. During 2013 through 2018; my husband left me for my friend; both my sons were shot in different cities; one in Nashville, and one in Denver Colorado. The one in Nashville, was shot 10 times by his roommate who forgot he had a roommate. Fortunately, he turned around so his laptop in his backpack got the bullet which would have killed him. He was left with a dominant disabled arm. He had just come back from Las Vegas working with Jason Aldean as a cameraman and saw the bloody massacre from the shooters. My oldest lives in Denver. He was shot and killed by the police on a domestic call. They overreacted. My ex-husband would not let me come to the funeral or visit the son in Nashville when he was hurt. I was not able to focus on anything else during that time. When I saw the recall on the Internet this year, I called and requested a reprieve. I was turned down. I wrote a letter to Lexus. Again I was turned down. I am [XXX] and [XXX]. I’m still driving my Lexus 2007 and plan to the rest of my life. I didn’t see the mail…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2025Structure, Visibility/wiperODI 11633730

Steering

29 reports
“Electrical system malfunction began (to my best calculation & recollection) in summer 2021 with the first of four battery malfunctions in one year. Each time, AAA discovered low battery response and recommended battery replacement. This time around, battery was replaced about two weeks prior, due to battery failure/AAA reporting would not accept charge. THE NEW BATTERY FAILED (8/3) and the starter broke while attempting to charge. Mechanic repaired starter and battery accepted the charge. No problem, right? Wrong. This driver drove about 30 miles and while driving, the electrical system shut down altogether. With I believe ALL WARNING LIGHTS LIGHTING UP, extremely dangerous situation. NO BREAKING, NO STEERING, NO WARNING. Fortunately, it occurred in a suburban residential area as opposed to the highway. SECOND tow to my mechanic and now, after a full week, no diagnosis, though the car has been running in the shop. This is an intermittent problem. I suspect the alternator.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2022Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11479110
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or 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 Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RX 350 2WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182320$3,850444
RX 350 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182320$3,850444
RX 350 4WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$4,050468
RX 350 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$4,050468
  • RX 350 2WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • RX 350 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • RX 350 4WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • RX 350 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Lexus RX350 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2288
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

2007 RX350 questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Lexus RX350 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 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 2007 Lexus RX350 problems?

Owners filed 225 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (44), structure (31), steering (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Lexus RX350 get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Lexus RX350 at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026