InsightArise CarsU.S. Owner Complaint Index
English

2020 Lexus RX problems, complaints & recalls

Far fewer Falling

NHTSA has received 54 owner complaints about the 2020 Lexus RX, or 8.1 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.19, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #17 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Lexus models its rate is 5% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 46% 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 2020-03-17 and 2026-08-21. Median delay from incident to filing: 9 days.

54Complaints
8.1Complaints per year on the road
0.19Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
13.0%Share involving a crash or fire
9Last 12 months

Analysis

The following model year (2021) drew 12.3 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 11 complaints, 81% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Airbags & seat belts (38.9% of complaints), followed by Interior & equipment (14.8%) and Engine (11.1%). Airbags & seat belts complaints are 10.2 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Airbags & seat belts reports, owners most often mention “notification air”, “bags recall”, “air bags”, “amount recall” and “exceeded reasonable”. 7 reports (13.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 4 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 48 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (37% of incidents). In the last 12 months 9 new complaints were filed, versus 20 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year. 39% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).

Complaint index

  • vs. all tracked vehicles0.19
  • vs. other Lexus models1.05
  • vs. other 2020 models0.21
  • vs. other Luxury SUVs0.54
  • Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (11)0.19
  • #17 of 82 · 2020Rankings ›

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

  • 20190.0 per year0.0
  • 20208.1 per year0.19
  • 202112.3 per year0.29
  • 20228.1 per year0.19
  • 202317.7 per year0.42
  • 202420.9 per year0.5
  • 202512.0 per year0.29

Lexus RX problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

  • Airbags & seat belts21 · 38.9% · 10.19×
  • Interior & equipment8 · 14.8% · 1.65×
  • Engine6 · 11.1% · 0.5×
  • Fuel system6 · 11.1% · 2.58×
  • Wheels, tires & suspension5 · 9.3% · 3.73×
  • Electrical3 · 5.6% · 0.36×
  • Body & structure2 · 3.7% · 0.4×
  • Brakes1 · 1.9% · 0.31×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Airbags & seat belts · Common terms in reports

  • notification air12
  • bags recall11
  • air bags14
  • amount recall12
  • exceeded reasonable12
  • reasonable amount12

Interior & equipment · Common terms in reports

  • sunroof4
  • exploded3
  • entire3
  • right3

Problem areas: Airbags & seat belts · Electrical · Interior & equipment

When complaints were filed

2020: 4 4 2020 2021: 7 7 2021 2022: 7 7 2022 2023: 4 4 2023 2024: 12 12 2024 2025: 13 13 2025 2026: 7 7 2026
  • Crashes reported: 7
  • Fires reported: 0
  • Injuries: 4
  • Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

  • <1 yr14.8%
  • 1–2 yrs11.1%
  • 2–3 yrs13.0%
  • 3–5 yrs37.0%
  • 5+ yrs24.1%

Median age at incident: 48 months

What owners report

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

Segment peers · 2020 · Luxury SUVs

ModelsComplaintsComplaints per year on the roadComplaint index
2020 Audi Q7263.90.09
2020 Audi Q5365.40.13
2020 Lexus RX548.10.19
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC8012.00.29
2020 BMW X510716.00.38
2020 BMW X310916.30.39
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE12318.40.44
2020 Acura MDX22033.00.78

Safety recalls (1)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION Campaign 23V865000 · 2023-12-20

Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

Frequently asked questions

How many complaints were filed for the 2020 Lexus RX?

54 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Lexus RX, or about 8.1 per year on the road.

What is the most common problem reported for the 2020 Lexus RX?

The most common category is Airbags & seat belts, accounting for 38.9% of complaints.

Does the 2020 Lexus RX have any recalls?

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

Is the 2020 Lexus RX still generating complaints?

In the last 12 months 9 new complaints were filed, versus 20 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.

How does the 2020 Lexus RX compare with similar vehicles?

NHTSA has received 54 owner complaints about the 2020 Lexus RX, or 8.1 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.19, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #17 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Lexus models its rate is 5% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 46% lower.