2009 Lexus RX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
73,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 34 complaints (29.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 17.6% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Structure:Interior Panels:Dashboard | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 10; Engine: 9; Steering: 5; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Structure:Interior Panels:Dashboard: 2; Tires: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2019: 4; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 5; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10596159 · 2014-06-04 (June 4, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS RX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, SHE UNEXPECTEDLY SWERVED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT WAS MOUNTED INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE CHEST AND NECK AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10596159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10604969 · 2014-06-21 (June 21, 2014)
I TOOK MY LEXUS RX350 TO MY TIRE SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES. UPON, INSPECTION OF STEERING RACK THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED RACK AND PINION RIGHT BOOT WAS WET WITH POWER STEERING FLUID. THE SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS AND LEXUS ALL MY LIFE AND NEVER HAVE STEERING RACK ISSUES BEFORE. ESPECIALLY AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH LEXUS OF NOT RECALLING THIS STEERING RACK ISSUE. IF LEXUS FAILED TO REPLACE MY STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AND LEXUS AGAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10604969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10323323 · 2010-04-01 (April 1, 2010)
2009 LEXUS 400H HYBRID BRAKES DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKING OVER ROUGH SURFACE, IT GIVES THE IMPRESSION OF ACCELERATING. I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH 2006 LEXUS 400H, BUT THE 2009 RECENTLY HAS BEEN HAVING MORE FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS SITUATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,121 miles reported. Look up ODI 10323323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11360738 · 2020-09-23 (September 23, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING, MY DASH LIGHTS WILL COME ON FOR NO REASON. ABS, BRAKE, VSC OFF, TIRE PRESSURE AND THE CAR STABILITY. WHEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL OREALLY STORE, NO CODES WERE DETECTED. ONCE I TURNED OFF THE CAR AT HOME AND RESTARTED, THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360738 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11514608 · 2023-03-30 (March 30, 2023)
There is a known issue with the Toyota/Lexus 2GR-FE (w/ towing package). The engine is present in many V6 model year SUVs 2007-2011. The defect is with the oil cooler return lines for this engine equipped with the towing package. The issue is that a manufacturing defect with these hoses can occur slowly over the life of the vehicle or suddenly without warning. The rubber hoses used are susceptible to extreme and numerous hot-cold cycles due to a hot nearby catalyst. Over time or suddenly, the hoses will begin to deteriorate due to the hot-co…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11514608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11255440 · 2019-09-13 (September 13, 2019)
THE TRUNK LATCH RUBBER BOOT MELTED. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE RUBBER FEELS LIKE SOFT TAR & LEAVES MARKS THAT ARE QUITE DIFFICULT TO WASH OFF. CAR LOCATION IS NOT ONE OF THE HOTTER STATES. LOOKS LIKE A MALFUNCTION OF ELECTRICAL WIRES...BEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN DISCOVERED, NOT POSITIVE IF OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION OR NOT.
Owner-reported narrative. 172,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11255440 at NHTSA ↗