Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Lexus RX350 problems
Owners filed 131 complaints about the 2009 Lexus RX350 with NHTSA between Oct 2008 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is steering (33).
Complaints
131
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering33
- Engine21
- Structure19
- Electrical system10
- Air bags10
- Power train9
- Vehicle speed control8
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Tires4
- Exterior lighting4
- Service brakes3
- Equipment2
- Wheels1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
3
19
1
5
7
21
12
12
11
6
12
4
5
3
5
0
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
33 reports
“MECHANIC/CAR INSPECTOR FOUND LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING AND RACK AND PINION FAULTY, NEEDING REPLACEMENT RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WHEN I TOOK CAR FOR MARYLAND INSPECTION. IT FAILED. CAR PURCHASED AT DULLES MOTORCARS/ KIA SUBARU IN LEESBURG, VIRGINIA WITH 56,000 MILES. COST OF REPAIR IS $1800.00. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, HOWEVER FAILED INSPECTION. CAR WAS BOUGHT ON $/1/2021 AND INSPECTION ON 4/2/2021.”
Engine
21 reports
“Oil line ruptured spilling causing loss of most engine oil on road and potentially ruining engine. Vehicle currently is at Toyota dealership being rep[aired so is available for inspection. Oil on road of course a safety hazard. Oil line rupture was confirmed by Toyota service department. Vehicle had to be towed into repair shop. Rupture occurred spontaneously while drive at 45 MPH on road. No warning lamps on prior to episode and car was driving fine.”
Structure
19 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2009 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked. The crack initially developed on the passenger’s side near the air bag enclosure and progressively spread across the dashboard toward the driver’s side. The surface of the dashboard was also sticky. The ignition switch was sticky, leaving a residue on the contact's fingers. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: L-SB-0011-15; and the related Warranty Enhancement Program. The local dealer was contacted and advised the contact that there was no recall coverage available. The contact called another local dealer Westminster Lexus (13590 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683); and was informed that the repairs would be at the expense of the vehicle owner. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”
Electrical system
10 reports
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Lexus RX 350. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 123,676, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 250,000.”
Air bags
10 reports2 crashes
“The dashboard in my car has been sticky and cracked for years. This became a safety issue and liability by posing a real risk in relation to airbags. One area of concern is the cracks will interfere with the deployment of the airbag. Either by triggering the airbag warning light or snagging the airbag on its way out. That puts my safety and safety of others at risk. This problem - cracked and sticky dashboards, has been confirmed by a dealer and warranty replacement program was available for short time back in 2018. The company had to notify it's customers but I did not get any letters, emails or calls. Therefore I did not know about that warranty repair and missed it. The vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic and safety concerns were raised. The airbags warning lights first started to appear on and off about 2 years ago. I have contacted the dealer several times about dashboard warranty replacement program explaining that I wasn't notified but they did not offer any solutions or repair reimbursement.”
Power train
9 reports1 crash
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING 65 MPH AND STRAIGHT, AND SOMEONE FLAGGED ME DOWN TO LET ME KNOW THAT MY CAR WAS SMOKING. NONE OF MY SAFETY LIGHTS HAD APPEARED ON MY DASH. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE BACK OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY COVERED IN OIL AND I HAD A FAST OIL LEAK UNDERNEATH MY CAR TOWARD THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I CERTAINLY SPRAYED OIL ON THE CARS BEHIND ME ON THE HIGHWAY, POTENTIALLY CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES FOR OTHER DRIVERS. I ALSO LEAKED OIL ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING A POTENTIAL CONCERN FOR OTHER DRIVERS. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS MALFUNCTION, COUPLED WITH HIGHWAY SPEED, COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WOULD HAVE BEEN INSTANTLY LOST. FOUND A NEARBY AUTO SHOP AND CHECKED MY OIL DIP STICK - IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY. NEARLY ALL OF MY OIL HAD LEAKED OUT. I WAS TOWED 100 MILES HOME AND TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY DID AN ASSESSMENT AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A GROSS OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE OIL COOLER PIPE (MADE OF RUBBER) WHICH RUNS FROM THE FILTER ADAPTER TO THE ENGINE BLOCK. LEXUS IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND ISSUED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION (ATTACHED) FOR THE FAULTY PART, BUT THE…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.