2019 Lexus RX problems, complaints & recalls

Far fewer Too few recent reports to judge

NHTSA has received 68 owner complaints about the 2019 Lexus RX, or 8.7 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.22, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 78 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #15 of 78 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Lexus models its rate is 17% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 39% lower.

Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count

Complaints filed between 2019-01-28 and 2026-08-19. Median delay from incident to filing: 8 days.

68Complaints

8.7Complaints per year on the road

0.22Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles

4Recalls

16.2%Share involving a crash or fire

5Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2018) drew 5.3 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 8.1 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 31 complaints, 61% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Fuel system (32.4% of complaints), followed by Engine (16.2%) and Brakes (14.7%). Fuel system complaints are 7.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 11 reports (16.2%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 3 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 29 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the second year (32% of incidents). 5 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 1 NHTSA investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (defect petition, opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).

Complaint index

vs. all tracked vehicles0.22
vs. other Lexus models1.17
vs. other 2019 models0.19
vs. other Luxury SUVs0.61
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (31)0.39
#15 of 78 · 2019Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

20185.3 per year0.13
20198.7 per year0.22
20208.1 per year0.2
202112.3 per year0.3
20228.1 per year0.2
202317.7 per year0.44
202421.5 per year0.53
202513.4 per year0.33
202610.0 per year0.25

Lexus RX problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

Fuel system22 · 32.4% · 7.47×
Engine11 · 16.2% · 0.73×
Brakes10 · 14.7% · 2.44×
Unspecified or other6 · 8.8% · 0.98×
Transmission / powertrain5 · 7.4% · 0.63×
Electrical5 · 7.4% · 0.47×
Airbags & seat belts3 · 4.4% · 1.16×
Driver-assist systems3 · 4.4% · 0.77×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Problem areas: Airbags & seat belts · Electrical · Unspecified or other · Engine · Body & structure · Fuel system

When complaints were filed

Crashes reported: 11
Fires reported: 0
Injuries: 3
Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

<1 yr16.2%
1–2 yrs32.4%
2–3 yrs19.1%
3–5 yrs13.2%
5+ yrs19.1%

Median age at incident: 29 months

What owners report

I was dropping my husband off at cardiac rehab. I was stopped and had my foot on the brake suddenly the car launched forward into the back of a car parked in front of me. The other driver got out of the car and said he wasn't hurt.

Electrical · 2025-12-16 · ODI 11705427 · Crash
Brakes making honking sound when applied even when stopped. My brake actuator is failing and has been confirmed by the LEXUS Dealership. Noise and stiff breaks has been going on for a while.

Brakes · 2025-09-18 · ODI 11688239 · Crash
Brake actuator makes a shriek when I engage the pedal. Problem is ongoing and applies to 2015-2019 Lexus RX450 Hybrid models. Problem is getting worse, and I am afraid of brake failure.

Brakes · 2026-08-19 · ODI 11758069
My Lexus 2019 RX450H is making a squishing squeaking brake actuator noise when pressing the brake pedal. I located well publicized TSB’s documenting the awareness by Toyota/Lexus of the problem. (TSB: MC-10245447-9999) Brake Squawk/Knock Noise.

Electrical · 2026-01-27 · ODI 11713697
I am reporting a safety-related violation. The dealership told me the vehicle had only a minor accident with no airbag deployment. This was false. Carfax shows the vehicle actually had a major accident with airbag deployment, which they failed to disclose.

Airbags & seat belts · 2025-11-19 · ODI 11700243

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2019 · Luxury SUVs

Models	Complaints	Complaints per year on the road	Complaint index
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE	34	4.4	0.11
2019 Lexus NX	44	5.6	0.14
2019 Audi Q5	52	6.7	0.17
2019 Audi Q7	62	8.0	0.2
2019 Lexus RX	68	8.7	0.22
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC	69	8.9	0.22
2019 BMW X3	170	21.8	0.54
2019 BMW X5	191	24.5	0.61
2019 Acura MDX	198	25.4	0.63

Safety recalls (4)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 25V028000 · 2025-01-22

Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Camry, 2019 Lexus NX300, and 2019 RX350L vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TA01 and 25LA01.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP Campaign 21V043000 · 2021-02-03

Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Lexus) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus RX350 and 2021 RX350 vehicles. The transport hook may not have been removed prior to sale. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Risk: During a rear-end crash, the transport hook can damage the fuel filler pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Lexus will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, remove the rear transport hook, free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Lexus' number for this recall is 21LA01.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 20V682000 · 2020-11-04

Summary: 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.

Risk: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 20V012000 · 2020-01-13

Summary: 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.

Risk: 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.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

Pedestrian alert sounds Closed

DP22005 · defect petition · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM · Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07 · Campaign 22V063000 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…