2017 Lexus Rx350: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2017 Lexus Rx350
On the 2017 Lexus Rx350, the failure owners report most often is other fuel system problem, with 8 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 10,000 miles. Overall it scores 77 out of 100, severe risk for a 2017.
Severe risk for a 2017 — 79th riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. 69 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 19 named failure modes on the 2017 Lexus Rx350, and the three most-reported carry 30% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other fuel system problem leads with 8 reports and about 0.3 per 1,000 vehicles.
Other brake problem follows with 7 reports, median 10,000 miles.
Other speed control problem follows with 6 reports, median 10,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into fuel (10), adas (10) and brakes (8).
When these failures get reported
61 of the reports on the 2017 Lexus Rx350 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 10,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 93% by 50,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 56% of the dated reports.
90% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 19. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 14 mention a crash, 1 an injury and 2 a fatality. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 5.67, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other fuel system problem at $300–$2,200, other brake problem at $300–$1,800, other speed control problem at $250–$2,000 and other engine problem at $300–$4,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
23% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 8 | 7 | — | 8k | — | 0.3 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 7 | 6 | — | 10k | — | 0.3 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 6 | 5 | — | 9k | — | 0.2 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Other engine problem | engine | 5 | 5 | — | 5k | — | 0.2 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 5 | 3 | — | 2k | — | 0.2 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 4 | 3 | — | 57k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 3 | 3 | — | 2k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 3 | 3 | — | 5k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 3 | 3 | — | 12k | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 2 | 2 | — | 18k | — | 0.1 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 2 | 2 | — | 17k | — | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 2 | 2 | — | 38k | — | 0.1 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 2 | 2 | — | 100 | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Heater core failure | cooling | 1 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,400 | Moderate |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 30k | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 1 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Master cylinder or brake booster failure | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 10k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | Critical |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 1 | 1 | — | 9k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Unclassified problem | other | 11 | 10 | 6k | 13k | 39k | 0.4 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2017 Lexus Rx350 draws about 2.5 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 78th percentile of complaint rates among 2017 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 27,738 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2017 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other fuel system problem
When accelerating hear a loud groaning noise and feel a hesitation in the gas accelerator pedal. Have brought to the dealer 3 times, as it seems to be getting worse. Dealer acknowledges their is an issue, but says will not fix because their is no recall. They said will notify us if/when lexus has a remedy. Apparently this is happening on 2016 & 2017 models. I am worried that my car is just going to lose power when accelerating as it seems to be getting worse and louder groaning noise. This happens first thing in the morning when the car is cold and accelerating between 0 to 20 MPH.
Faulty acceleration occurs when taking off from a stop. Around 2.5 RPM, a loud grinding noise occurs as well as a stall / lag in the acceleration of vehicle. Dangerous when accelerating from a stop light and pulling into intersection, vehicle stalls and then sometimes surges forward. Complained to dealer since day 1 of purchase. It seems to be getting worse and worse. I have continually been told that lexus has not developed a solution as of yet. So no solution....this is a $60k vehicle and it is very dangerous when traveling between 0 and 35ish.
Other brake problem
When attempting to start the vehicle an error message displays that braking power is low. It states stop in a safe place. Dealer has advised this condition is "normal" and no repairs recommended. The vehicle is stationary and can not be started.
The transmission on this vehicle is bad! The dealer keeps saying it's normal in the learning phase, but there is no way all of this sputtering and hesitation is normal for any vehicle, let alone a luxury one. The tachometer jumps, jerks and sputters as well if you watch it. The pre-collision break system is also severely flawed. It has braked so hard that it screetched and no one was even around me!!!!! This clearly almost gave me a heart attack three times now. It has happened twice when slowly backing out of a parking spot, and one time while driving down the street at a normal rate of speed and no one was around me at all.
Other speed control problem
While driving home, I stopped the car at the entrance to the drive way at the mail box by applying brake .the car came to a full stop. I shifted the gear ( automatic ) to park to get out of the car to pick the mail. As soon as the gear was in park, the car accelerated uncontrollably, inspite of hard breaking. I could feel the ABS system being activated by the way it feels on the break pedal. The car hit the side of the house and stopped. This vehicle has built in pre collision system. After notifying the insurance company the car was towed to a body shop where it is being worked on.
The problem is in the learning ability of the eight-speed automatic electronically controlled transmission (ect) in my wife's lexus 2017 rx 350. It has delay of 2 to 3 second in accelerating occasionally after a stop or when trying accelerated in a normal drive' it does not happen as expected.
Recalls on the 2017 model year
NHTSA has issued 3 recall campaigns covering the 2017 Lexus Rx350, affecting an estimated 52,419 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump and service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1,525,742 vehicles 2020-11-04- Defect
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019…
- Consequence
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus'…
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1,830,752 vehicles 2020-01-13- Defect
- 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…
- Consequence
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
6,046 vehicles 2018-04-03- Defect
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
- Consequence
- A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2017 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2017 compares with the other years
Severe risk for a 2017 — 79th riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.
Across the 13 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2013 comes out best at 64 and 2011 worst at 80, with 2017 itself at 77.
If the model year is negotiable, 2013, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2014 score lower than 2017 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2015–2020 generation specifically, 2018 is the strongest year at 74 and 2016 the weakest at 78.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2015-2020 generation, 2018 Lexus Rx350 scores best at 74 and 2016 Lexus Rx350 worst at 78.
The limits of complaint data
69 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 69 reports, 61 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 88% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Lexus Rx350?
The most-reported failures are other fuel system problem (8 reports, median 10,000 miles), other brake problem (7 reports, median 10,000 miles) and other speed control problem (6 reports, median 10,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2017 Lexus Rx350 reliable?
It scores 77 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 79th riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2017 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Lexus Rx350 is best?
Within the 2015–2020 generation, 2018 scores best at 74 out of 100 and 2016 worst at 78. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed