2023 Lexus RX problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Lexus RX, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
62
Recalls
3
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Median mileage
8,250 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 13 of 62 complaints (21%).
  • Engine (11) and electrical system (10) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 8,250 mi.
  • Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries.
  • The 2023 Lexus RX has 3 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 3rd of 22 Lexus RX model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 114% more complaints than the 2022 model year (29).

2023 Lexus RX problems by category

  • Other / Unknown
    14 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    13 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    11 complaints
  • Electrical System
    10 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    8 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    3 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    3 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    2 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Unknown or other14
Power train13
Engine11
Electrical system8
Structure:body7
Fuel/propulsion system3
Lane departure: blind spot detection3
Air bags2

When problems happen (mileage)

5Under 10k310k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2023 Lexus RX complaints that list mileage.

2023 Lexus RX recalls (3)

  • Recall 26V162000Mar 18, 2026144,200 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB02 and 26LA02.

  • Recall 25V744000Oct 30, 20251,024,407 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

  • Recall 25V040000Jan 29, 20251,716 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE · STEERING:COLUMN

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.

Recent 2023 Lexus RX complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 29, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain
    The transmission is jerking at times and it failed to accelerate at one point after coming to a complete stop. Notified Lexus and still working to fully resolve the issue but they just denied my request to reevaluate the issue.
    NHTSA complaint #11767782 · source
  2. Filed Aug 26, 2026NDElectrical System
    Battery drains which locks car unexpectedly. No warning, even with car FOB inside car which creates a safety issue if child or someone is in the car. All doors lock and with no access to FOB cannot open the door with manual key. Also, safety issue if this happens at night or in a parking lot etc. Cannot open doors at all - There is obviously an issue with the battery draining after only a few days. Dealer solution - plug in a battery maintainer - problem if you are parking…
    NHTSA complaint #11759669 · source
  3. Filed Aug 21, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain
    The vehicle exhibits a severe, load-based mechanical transmission whine strictly during active acceleration. The pitch of the whining sound rises and falls in direct proportion to the engine's RPMs. This vehicle utilizes the Toyota/Lexus 8-speed automatic transmission architecture, which has a well-documented manufacturing flaw involving internal bearing wear, gear misalignment, and fluid starvation.This mechanical defect poses an immediate and severe safety hazard. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11758409 · source
  4. Filed Aug 19, 202610,637 miCOTowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2023 Lexus RX 500h. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking erratically, and the vehicle stopped independently. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated and the message to “See the Dealer” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure reoccurred. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was made aware of the…
    NHTSA complaint #11757971 · source
  5. Filed Aug 19, 202610,637 miCOEngine
    The contact owns a 2023 Lexus RX 500h. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and an engineer was…
    NHTSA complaint #11757964 · source
  6. Filed Aug 18, 2026AZTransmission & Drivetrain
    While driving on [XXX] in [XXX] with my young child in the vehicle, my 2023 Lexus RX 350 F Sport suddenly lost acceleration. The vehicle initially would not accelerate beyond 50 mph and then progressively lost power, eventually being unable to accelerate beyond 40 mph. This occurred during rush-hour traffic, with vehicles traveling faster than me and passing closely. I attempted to move farther onto the shoulder because I felt unsafe being so close to traffic, but the…
    NHTSA complaint #11757831 · source
  7. Filed Aug 17, 2026CAVisibility & Wipers
    The rain-sensing wiper system in my 2023 Lexus RX has been inoperative since I purchased the vehicle in May 2023 (current mileage: approximately 55,000 miles). The automatic wipers consistently fail to activate in response to rain, requiring manual operation while driving — a dangerous distraction that significantly reduces safety, especially during heavy rainfall when visibility is already compromised. This defect has been present since the day of purchase and is therefore…
    NHTSA complaint #11757460 · source
  8. Filed Aug 3, 2026KSTransmission & Drivetrain
    had transmission replaced 2 times and update to transmission. this is a brand new car purchased in 2023. first transmission replaced at 20,963 miles, 2nd replaced at 33,543 miles, 35,221 miles transmission update. It was cumulative 33 out of service. We feel this vehicle is unsafe to drive. Even after all the transmissions replaced om the is vehicle had 2 more incidents. One was loss of power in traffic and another was on a highway transmission would not shift into higher…
    NHTSA complaint #11754621 · source

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Other 2023 Lexus models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology