Is the Audi E-Tron more reliable than the Lexus RX?

Based on our data, the Lexus RX is more reliable with an average score of 85/100 compared to 51/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Audi E-Tron or the Lexus RX?

The Audi E-Tron has more recalls (106) compared to the Lexus RX (42). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi E-Tron or the Lexus RX?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus RX has a lower complaint rate at 7.5 per 10,000 sold versus 80.3 for the Audi E-Tron. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Audi E-Tron or Lexus RX safer?

Both the Audi E-Tron and Lexus RX received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Audi E-Tron vs Lexus RX: Reliability Compared

Audi E-Tron

Mixed

More Reliable

Lexus RX

Excellent

Choosing between the Audi E-Tron and the Lexus RX? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lexus RX currently leads with an average score of 85/100 compared to 51/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi E-Tron and Lexus RX Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Lexus RX is in its fifth generation, which began in 2023. This new platform suggests it might still be dealing with early production issues typical of first-year models. In contrast, the Audi E-Tron, now known as the Q8 e-tron, experienced a significant facelift in 2023, marking a refinement phase in its first generation that started in 2019. Lexus' history of well-sorted mature platforms, like the fourth-generation RX, often translates to enhanced reliability. Meanwhile, the Audi E-Tron, being later in its generation cycle, has likely benefited from refinements and improvements over the years, contributing to its reliability.

Verdict

The Lexus RX is more reliable than the Audi E-Tron, scoring 85/100 vs 51/100.

The Lexus RX demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Audi E-Tron, with an average reliability score of 85/100 versus the E-Tron's 51/100. The RX also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 7.5 per 10,000 units sold, contrasted with the E-Tron's 80.3. Additionally, the RX has fewer recalls over a longer period, with 42 recalls in nine years compared to the E-Tron's 106 in eight years. These metrics highlight the RX as the more reliable choice, particularly in terms of fewer complaints and a stronger track record in recall management.

Key Differences

1Lexus RX has 72.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Lexus RX has 64 fewer total recalls
3Lexus RX scores 34 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

0Audi E-Tron

—

3Lexus RX

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Audi E-Tron vs Lexus RX: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi E-Tron vs Lexus RX at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi E-Tron	Lexus RX
Reliability Score	51/100	85/100
Years Tracked	8	9
Total Recalls	106	42
Complaints per 10k Sold	80.3	7.5
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	8

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi E-Tron and Lexus RX?

The Lexus RX, with 729 total complaints, predominantly faces issues related to air bags and electrical systems, with 73 and 51 complaints respectively, and a notable 11 crash-linked air bag incidents. The Audi E-Tron, although having fewer total complaints at 240, shows a significant concentration in electrical system issues with 92 complaints and 6 crash-linked incidents, indicating a critical area of concern. Both models have minimal complaints in engine and structure-related issues, but the E-Tron exhibits a unique issue in vehicle speed control with 3 out of 6 complaints being crash-linked. Overall, the Lexus RX displays a broader range of problem categories, while the Audi E-Tron is more focused on electrical system reliability.

Audi E-Tron vs Lexus RX common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi E-Tron	Lexus RX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	30.8High	0.5Very Low
POWER TRAIN	10Above Avg	0.2Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	5.7Average	0.6Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	4Average	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	2.7Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2Low	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	1.7Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.3Low	—None
STEERING	1.3Low	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	0.8Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.7Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.7Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.7Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Audi E-Tron vs Lexus RX Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi E-Tron vs Lexus RX year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi E-Tron	Lexus RX	Edge
2025	50/10012R / 19C	83/1005R / 9C	Lexus RX
2024	48/10016R / 23C	85/1009R / 48C	Lexus RX
2023	46/10022R / 30C	85/1005R / 45C	Lexus RX
2022	49/10032R / 52C	90/1000R / 35C	Lexus RX
2021	55/1009R / 32C	86/1005R / 209C	Lexus RX
2020	62/1004R / 1C	86/1005R / 130C	Lexus RX
2019	48/1005R / 71C	82/1009R / 166C	Lexus RX
2018	50/1006R / 12C	85/1003R / 87C	Lexus RX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Audi E-Tron scored 62/100 and the 2022 Lexus RX scored 90/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi E-Tron vs the Lexus RX?

If you prioritize reliability and want a vehicle with fewer issues, the Lexus RX stands out as the superior choice. With a reliability score of 85/100, it is significantly more dependable than the Audi E-Tron, which scores only 51/100. Additionally, the Lexus RX has a notably lower rate of owner complaints, with only 7.5 per 10,000 sold compared to the E-Tron's 80.3. This suggests a better overall ownership experience, especially if you want to avoid frequent trips to the service center. On the other hand, if you are particularly interested in electric vehicles and are willing to manage higher maintenance and potential issues, the Audi E-Tron might appeal to you. However, be prepared for a higher likelihood of recalls, with the E-Tron having 106 compared to the RX's 42. Given these factors, the Lexus RX is recommended for those seeking a more reliable and hassle-free ownership experience.

Audi E-Tron vs Lexus RX: Common Questions

Is the Audi E-Tron more reliable than the Lexus RX?: Based on our data, the Lexus RX is more reliable with an average score of 85/100 compared to 51/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Audi E-Tron or the Lexus RX?: The Audi E-Tron has more recalls (106) compared to the Lexus RX (42). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi E-Tron or the Lexus RX?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus RX has a lower complaint rate at 7.5 per 10,000 sold versus 80.3 for the Audi E-Tron. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Audi E-Tron or Lexus RX safer?: Both the Audi E-Tron and Lexus RX received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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