2017 Lexus RX350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
9,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 46 complaints (19.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 34.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 10.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 8.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
Service Brakes: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Engine: 6; Power Train: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 30 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2017: 6; 2018: 23; 2019: 5; 2020: 3; 2021: 7; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10957869 · 2017-03-01 (March 1, 2017)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10957869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10994051 · 2017-06-08 (June 8, 2017)
PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM FAILED. VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO WARNINGS. NO AUTO BRAKING. FULL UNRESTRAINED IMPACT. COLLISION OCCURRED ON FREEWAY OFF RAMP. I HAVE PHOTOS OF CRASH SITE AND A COPY OF THE DATA FROM THE "BLACK BOX" WHICH LEXUS DOWNLOADED. THE ALLSTATE CLAIM NUMBER #0453405540. THE CHP OFFICE AT [phone removed] HAS INCIDENT NCIC#9680, BY OFFICER ID 18801. THE LEXUS WAS TOTALED AND ALLSTATE PAID OUT. I PURCHASED THE LEXUS PRIMARILY FOR ITS SAFETY FEATURES. I'M CONCERNED THAT FURTHER FAULTS COULD CAUSE GREAT HARM OR DEATH.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10994051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11005200 · 2017-07-13 (July 13, 2017)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11005200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11014807 · 2017-08-12 (August 12, 2017)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11033309 · 2017-10-13 (October 13, 2017)
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 A…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11033309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11051228 · 2017-11-29 (November 29, 2017)
I LEASED THE VEHICLE AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2016. SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER, MY WIFE STARTED TO NOTICE AN ODD SMELL IN THE CABIN. ON SAT 10/7, MY WIFE NOTICED THE FRONT CARPET WAS COMPLETELY SATURATED. I GAVE IT A FEW DAYS TO DRY OUT BUT WHEN IT DIDN'T GET BETTER I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE I EXPLAINED THE ISSUE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE HE SAID HE HAD A FEELING HE KNOW WHAT IT WAS. HE EXPLAINED THAT SPIDERS GET INTO THE AC DRAIN PLUG AND CLOG IT CAUSING WATER TO BACKUP INTO THE CABIN. THE PADDING AND CARPE…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11051228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11057986 · 2018-01-02 (January 2, 2018)
IN ORDER TO START THE CAR, THE BRAKE MUST BE PRESSED. HOWEVER, IF THE CAR SITS WITHOUT USE FOR SEVERAL DAYS, THE BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT BE PRESSED DOWN AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. A WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THAT "BRAKE POWER IS LOW, STOP IN A SAFE PLACE". ATTACHED IS A PICTURE OF THE WARNING LIGHT. THE CAR CAN GENERALLY BE SUBSEQUENTLY STARTED BY EITHER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES OR EXERTING A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARS. I'VE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH LEXUS SERVICE AND LEXUS CORPORATE OFFICE. THEY'VE S…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11058271 · 2018-01-03 (January 3, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNED RED AND WENT BLANK. THE CONTACT HEARD THREE BEEPS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNED BLACK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WATERTOWN (330 ARSENAL ST, WATERTOWN, MA 02472), BUT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,100. THE CONSUMER …
Owner-reported narrative. 12,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11058271 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V211000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2018-04-03 (April 3, 2018)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V012000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2020-01-13 (January 13, 2020)
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 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2020-11-04 (November 4, 2020)
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 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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' number for this recall is 20LA01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗