Lexus RX 350 Years to Avoid — the 2007–2010.
The 2007 RX 350 drew 225 NHTSA complaints, the most of any year; on the 2007–2009, owners describe oil-line leaks, cracked dashboards and leaking steering racks. The 2010 adds 35 complaints about sudden acceleration and a floor-mat recall.
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Quick Answer
- What Lexus RX 350 years should you avoid?
- The 2007–2010. The 2007–2009 drew 552 complaints: 52 about an oil line, 79 about the dashboard and 71 about the steering rack. The 2010 drew 171, 35 about sudden acceleration; recall 12V305000 covers a floor mat that can trap the pedal.
- What is the best year for a used RX 350?
- Leaving out years where one fault is a quarter or more of complaints, 2014 (27), 2018 (44), 2012 (45) drew the fewest from 2007 to 2021. Even the worst year, the 2007, drew 225.
- Does the RX 350 have an oil line problem?
- On the 2007–2010, 70 complaints describe an oil line or VVT hose that leaked or burst, 25 on the 2007. NHTSA lists no recall for it, so ask whether the line was replaced with the metal version.
Five checks for a used RX 350, by year
The RX 350's complaints cluster in its first four years, so most of the checking happens on an older one.
- 1Read the year from the VINCharacter 10 is the model year; check the VIN decodes as an RX 350, not an RX 350L or a hybrid.
- 22007–2010: oil lineAsk whether the rubber oil line to the variable valve timing was replaced; look for oil under the engine.
- 32007–2009: dashboard and steeringLook for cracks across the dashboard and fluid at the steering rack boots.
- 42010: floor matMake sure the driver's mat is the correct one and clipped down; confirm 12V305000 was done.
- 5Check title and mileage recordsA salvage brand or a mileage gap shows up by VIN; a weeping oil line does not.
Avoid: the 2007–2009 RX 350
The 2007–2009 drew 552 complaints, more than any other three-year run, with no single fault dominating. 52 describe an oil line or VVT hose that leaked or burst; 79 describe a cracked or melting dashboard.
The steering rack is the third cluster: 71 complaints describe a leaking rack or boot, and the steering is the component owners name most on the 2009.
NHTSA lists no recall for the oil line, the dashboard or the rack. Recall 11V112000 covers a floor-carpet retention clip near the accelerator on the 2007.
The 2007–2009 by the numbers
- 225 · 196 · 131 complaints on the 2007, 2008 and 2009.
- 52 about an oil line or VVT hose.
- 79 about a cracked or melting dashboard.
- 71 about the steering rack.
Avoid: the 2010, and its floor mats
The 2010 drew 171 complaints and 32 crash reports, the most crash reports of any RX 350 year. Vehicle speed control is the component owners name most: 35 complaints describe sudden or unintended acceleration.
Recall 12V305000 covers 2010 RX 350s whose accelerator pedal can be trapped wide open by an unsecured or incompatible floor mat. 18 more 2010 complaints describe the oil line.
27 of the 2010's complaints name an RX 450h or another RX version; NHTSA files a complaint under the model the owner picks.
The 2010 by the numbers
- 171 complaints.
- 32 crash reports, the most of any year.
- 35 describe sudden acceleration.
- 12V305000 recall for the floor mat and pedal.
Every Lexus RX 350 Model Year Compared
NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns for every RX 350 from 2007 to 2026, read on 14 November 2026.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crash · fire reports | Recalls | Most-cited component |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2007–2009 | 225 | 18 · 2 | 1 | Engine |
| 2008 | 2007–2009 | 196 | 16 · 6 | 0 | Structure |
| 2009 | 2007–2009 | 131 | 8 · 1 | 0 | Steering |
| 2010 | 2010–2015 | 171 | 32 · 6 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control |
| 2011 | 2010–2015 | 54 | 19 · 4 | 1 | Engine |
| 2012 | 2010–2015 | 45 | 11 · 2 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control |
| 2013 | 2010–2015 | 78 | 13 · 4 | 1 | Service Brakes |
| 2014 | 2010–2015 | 27 | 8 · 0 | 0 | Air Bags |
| 2015 | 2010–2015 | 63 | 9 · 3 | 1 | Engine |
| 2016 | 2016–2022 | 86 | 12 · 1 | 3 | Service Brakes |
| 2017 | 2016–2022 | 94 | 20 · 0 | 3 | Service Brakes |
| 2018 | 2016–2022 | 44 | 6 · 0 | 1 | Service Brakes |
| 2019 | 2016–2022 | 66 | 11 · 0 | 3 | Fuel/Propulsion System |
| 2020 | 2016–2022 | 55 | 6 · 0 | 2 | Air Bags |
| 2021 | 2016–2022 | 72 | 9 · 0 | 2 | Air Bags |
| 2022 | 2016–2022 | 39 | 6 · 2 | 0 | Electrical System |
| 2023 | 2023– | 66 | 5 · 0 | 4 | Power Train |
| 2024 | 2023– | 62 | 1 · 0 | 4 | Electrical System |
| 2025 | 2023– | 23 | 5 · 0 | 4 | Electrical System |
| 2026 | 2023– | 14 | 2 · 0 | 3 | Electrical System |
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not divided by sales. NHTSA files RX 350 complaints as "RX350" to 2019 and "RX 350" from 2020, and recalls under "RX350" and "RX"; both are merged. RX 350L, RX 350h and hybrid RX complaints are filed separately and not counted, though 101 complaints filed under the RX 350 name another RX version.
Other RX 350 Years With a Known Weak Spot
Smaller clusters in NHTSA's records, and the recalls behind them.
2012–2013: brake actuator
Recall 14V054000: an electrical component in the brake actuator, which sets the fluid pressure at each wheel, may fail.
2016: knee airbag
Recall 16V053000: a bad weld can let gas escape from the driver's knee-airbag inflator.
2017–2020: fuel pump
Recalls 20V012000 and 20V682000: the low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail. 23 of the 2019's 66 complaints describe the fuel pump.
2020–2021: passenger airbag sensor
Recall 23V865000: 43 of the 2021's 72 complaints are about it, most from owners waiting for the part.
2023: steering column
Recall 23V480000: a connection in the steering column's spiral cable may separate and disable the driver's airbag. 26V162000 covers a rear camera that may not display on the 2023–2026.
2026: steering knuckles
Recall 26V598000: the front steering knuckles may crack and break.
What RX 350 Owners Say
Owners of 2010–2015 RX 350s mostly report high mileage on maintenance, with the A/C as the most expensive repair they name.
In owners' words (paraphrased)
- Two 2010 RX 350s: one past 180,000 miles, the other past 100,000, with no problems so far.
- 2010 at 130,000 miles: brakes and shocks, then the A/C compressor: $3,400 at the dealer, about $1,800 at a local garage.
- 2011 at 112,000 miles: the oil line burst and was replaced with a metal one.
- 2014: an A/C amplifier the dealer priced at about $4,000; a used part cost $300.
- 2015 at about 55,000 miles: a slip around 25 mph, and Lexus replaced the transmission with a factory rebuild free.
- 2022 owner: regrets the small cargo area and finds it unexciting to drive.
Checking an RX 350 for Sale?
Enter the VIN for a free preview: title brands, junk and salvage records, total-loss records and odometer readings.
Fewest vs. Most RX 350 Complaints
Fewest is limited to 2007–2021 and leaves out years where one fault is a quarter or more of complaints (2019–2021).
Fewest complaints
- 2014: 27 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2018: 44 complaints, 1 recall
- 2012: 45 complaints, 1 recall
- 2011: 54 complaints, 1 recall
- 2015: 63 complaints, 1 recall
Most complaints
- 2007: 225 complaints, 1 recall
- 2008: 196 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2010: 171 complaints, 1 recall
- 2009: 131 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2017: 94 complaints, 3 recalls
Recall counts include multi-model campaigns.
The RX 350s Our Visitors Check
Between 12 June 2026 and 13 November 2026, visitors ran 534 different Lexus RX 350 VINs through our free preview, counting the RX 350 only (no 350L, 350h or hybrids). 55 (10%) were 2007–2009 models, 188 (35%) 2010–2015, 181 (34%) 2016–2022 and 109 (20%) 2023 or newer.
90 (17%) were 2007–2010s, the years this page says to avoid. The single most-checked year was the 2017, at 45 VINs.
RX 350 Complaints by Generation
The 2007–2009 drew 552 complaints, the 2010–2015 438, the 2016–2022 456 and the 2023-on 165 so far.
What to Check on a Used RX 350
By year, the faults to look for.
2007–2010: oil line
Ask for the oil-line replacement; check for oil spots under the engine.
2007–2009: dashboard
Cracks or a sticky, shiny surface across the top of the dash are the known fault.
2007–2009: steering rack
Look for fluid at the rack boots; many owners first hear of it at a dealer inspection.
2010: floor mat
Use only a correct, clipped-down mat; confirm 12V305000.
2017–2020: fuel pump
Confirm 20V012000 or 20V682000 was done.
Any year: VIN records
Open recalls, title brands and odometer history.
Reading RX 350 Complaint Numbers
NHTSA complaints are owner reports, not verified and not divided by sales. RX 350 counts are low next to most SUVs on this site, so a few dozen complaints can move a year up or down the list.
The fault counts come from searching the words owners used, so they are a minimum. Newer years have had less time: the 2024 has 62 complaints and the 2023 66.
Related Checks and Guides
Recalls, VIN tools and the RX 350's rivals.
Where These Facts Come From
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's own records; owner experiences are linked so you can read them in full.
NHTSA records read 14 November 2026. Written by the CarCheckerVIN editorial team with AI assistance, from NHTSA's complaint and recall records, our own preview logs and the owner posts linked above; figures checked November 2026. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Lexus or Toyota.
Lexus RX 350 Years to Avoid — Frequently Asked Questions
Oil lines, dashboards, floor mats and the newer RX.
What is the worst year for the Lexus RX 350?+
By NHTSA complaint count, the 2007 (225), then the 2008 (196) and the 2010 (171).
Which RX 350 years have the oil line problem?+
The 2007–2010: 70 complaints describe it. One owner's 2011 line burst at 112,000 miles and was replaced with a metal one, and an owner on the same video puts the issue on the 2007–2009.
Why do RX 350 dashboards crack?+
NHTSA's records do not say why, but 79 complaints on the 2007–2009 describe cracked, sticky or melting dashboards, and no recall on NHTSA's list covers them.
Is the 2010 RX 350 safe to buy?+
Check that recall 12V305000 was done and that the driver's floor mat is correct and secured. Its 35 acceleration complaints are the most of any RX 350 year.
What about the 2023 and newer RX 350?+
They have drawn few complaints so far (66 on the 2023, 62 on the 2024), but several recalls: check the VIN for 23V480000, 26V162000 and, on a 2026, 26V598000.
Will your report show these problems?+
No history report can tell you an oil line is weeping. Ours lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos for the VIN. Recalls are free to check on NHTSA's site.
Ask About the Oil Line, Then Check the Title
On a 2007–2010 RX 350, the oil-line and steering-rack history matter more than the mileage. Free preview first; the full report is $14.99 and lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos.
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's public records as read on 14 November 2026; complaints are unverified owner reports. Owner comments are paraphrased from the linked pages. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Lexus or Toyota. Records in our reports reflect what was reported to our data providers. Our reports do not include police or repair-shop accident entries.
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