Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Lexus RX Reliability Report
The 2023 Lexus RX has excellent reliability, but owners report a draining 12-volt battery that leaves cars unable to start after sitting.
Recalls
5
Complaints
45
Complaint Rate
3.9per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$551
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,750–$2,900
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Excellent standing with five recalls and complaints of battery drain and hesitation, mid-pack among RX years; the 2022 rates better and has no recalls.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7)
- STRUCTURE (6)
- ENGINE (5)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is the first model year of the Fifth generation (ALA10/ALH10; 2022).
- First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
- Redesigned for the 2023 model year.
- 5th generation RX (US).
What this means for buyers
First-year models carry more risk — early production issues are common. Consider waiting for the second year if reliability is a priority.
2023: Fifth generation (ALA10/ALH10; 2022) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
Should You Buy the 2023 Lexus RX?
Reliability is excellent, and well above average among 2023 SUVs. Within the RX line it lands in the middle of nine scored years. The 2022 rates better, with fewer complaints and no recalls. The 2024 rates about the same but has more recalls. The federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars.
The most common complaint is the 12-volt battery. It drains when the car sits for several days, especially in cold weather or on short trips, and some owners were stranded more than once. In two reports the car went dead with the doors locked, trapping the driver inside. Engine and power train complaints are more worrying. Power cuts out or surges without warning, and the RX 500h hesitates when pulling away, then revs very high. Dealers often found nothing wrong. Federal records list five recalls, covering back over prevention, steering and air bags.
Ask for the recall history and confirm every recall was completed. Ask whether the battery has been replaced, and test the car from a stop. If fewer recalls matter most, look at the 2022.
Compared to the 2024 Lexus RX, which scored the same. See also the 2022 Lexus RX for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Strong reliability score
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
- +5-star NHTSA crash rating
- +Only 45 complaints reported
Cons
- −Moderate recall count
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Sunroof glass shatters while driving, often at highway speed with nothing... (12 complaints)
Compare 2023 Lexus RX With
2023 Cadillac XT5
Reliability: 72/100
2023 Acura MDX
Reliability: 79/100
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC
Reliability: 67/100
2023 Lincoln Aviator
Reliability: 66/100
2023 Toyota Venza
Reliability: 80/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 5 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (12)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7)
Recall Overview
5
recalls on record
A moderate 5 recalls are on file for the 2023 Lexus RX. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
3.9
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 11.3
Safety Incidents
4
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2023 Lexus RX Recall Details
5 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Lexus RX. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
STEERING, AIR BAGS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence
A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.
STEERING, AIR BAGS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence
A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.
Buying a used 2023 Lexus RX? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Lexus RX, and 5 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2023 Lexus RX NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.5%
Safety Technologies
Lexus RXRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
5Maintenance rating: 5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$551
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Lexus RX Resale Value
The Lexus RX is estimated to retain about 68.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Lexus RX model overall and is not specific to the 2023 model year.
- Value Retained
- 68.4%
- Depreciation
- 31.6%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Lexus RX depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com2023 Lexus RX Example Repair Prices
National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.
| Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Brake Bleed | $122 – $179 |
| Distributor Cap Replacement | $231 – $327 |
| Brake Booster Replacement | $1,378 – $1,718 |
| Power Steering Control Module Replacement | $1,051 – $1,096 |
| Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement | $107 – $128 |
| Engine Leak Inspection | $153 – $224 |
| Starter Relay Replacement | $140 – $161 |
| Engine Leak Inspection | $153 – $224 |
| Suspension Shock or Strut Replacement | $1,847 – $2,118 |
| Engine Oil Level Sensor Replacement | $607 – $778 |
Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
24–25 MPG
Running cost: $3,300–$3,450/yr
Fuel + repair
21–22 city / 28–29 hwy MPG
Hybrid
27–36 MPG
Running cost: $2,450–$3,100/yr
Fuel + repair
27–37 city / 28–34 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 350 2.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,750 |
| RX 350 AWD 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,900 |
Hybrid trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 350h AWD 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 37 | 34 | 36 | $1,900 |
| RX 500h AWD 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 27 | 28 | 27 | $2,550 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Lexus RX.
Inspect the sunroof and panoramic glass for cracks or chips, and ask whether the roof glass has ever been replaced.
Ask how many times the 12-volt battery has been replaced or jump-started, and have its voltage tested.
Press along the passenger-side dash trim where the suede meets the panel and look for gaps or loose clips.
Pull away from a full stop several times, ideally on a hot day, and watch for hesitation, stalling, or sudden high revs.
Reverse slowly and feel for shudder, then hold the brake at a stop and feel for lurching or jerking.
Drive with driver-assist on and confirm no ADAS or system malfunction warnings appear on the dash.
Ask the dealer to confirm ECU update 24LC03 has been applied and request the service history for power-loss complaints.
2023 Lexus RX Common Problems by Component
45 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
12 complaintsSunroof glass shatters while driving, often at highway speed with nothing nearby to strike it. Most reports here describe it. Drivers hear a loud bang, then glass and wind noise fill the cabin. Shards cut one driver's face. Some dealers blame a rock or deny a defect, and one quoted $4000 for the replacement. Other reports describe a recurring system malfunction warning that needs repeat dealer visits at low mileage, Bluetooth dropping calls, and the screen staying stuck after a phone call on Android Auto.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7 complaintsThe 12-volt battery drains, and the car will not start after sitting for several days, especially in cold weather or when it is used only for short trips. Owners report being stranded more than once and replacing the battery twice. In two reports the car went fully dead with the doors and windows locked, trapping the driver inside. Dealers often call the battery healthy or blame short trips. Separate reports describe the car surging forward with the brake pressed, plus a system malfunction message around 9,000 miles that a dealer reset.
STRUCTURE
6 complaintsMoonroof glass breaks at highway speed with nothing hitting the car. Dashboard trim on the passenger side separates within days of delivery, in one case under 400 miles, leaving clips and wiring exposed. Snapping it back in does not hold. Other reports describe roof popping noises that dealers could not fix after seven visits, electronic door handles that stop working in frost or cold, and paint that chips down to the plastic from normal driving.
ENGINE (5 complaints)
ENGINE
5 complaintsSafety-relatedPower cuts out or surges without warning. Some cars drop into limp mode on a highway on-ramp and will not accelerate until restarted, and one dealer applied an ECU update to fix it. Another lost power for about 20 seconds at a time, around 4,200 miles. One report of unintended acceleration describes a crash that caused over $8,500 in damage, and the dealer found nothing wrong. Hesitation off a stop shows up in hot weather without fault codes. RPM jumping when lifting off the gas was called normal.
POWER TRAIN (4 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsHesitation or stalling when pulling away, followed by very high revs, is the main complaint, mostly on the RX 500h. Drivers describe nearly being hit in cross traffic. Reports also cite heavy shudder in reverse, jerking while stopped, and the engine racing without the car speeding up. No warning lights appear. Dealers either cannot reproduce the problem or call it normal hybrid behavior. In one case the problem came back after the transmission had already been replaced.
AIR BAGS (3 complaints)
AIR BAGS
3 complaintsSafety-relatedSome or all bags fail to deploy in a collision. Every report here involves a crash: a head-on impact, a T-bone at about 26,000 miles, and a rear-end crash at highway speed where the driver's bag stayed off while the others deployed. In that crash the driver's seat belt also reportedly failed to hold the driver. Three people were injured across these reports. The count is small, but each one involves a crash.
LANE DEPARTURE (2 complaints)
LANE DEPARTURE
2 complaintsDriver-assist faults appear within weeks of delivery, around 1,000 miles. A malfunction alert shuts off the whole driver-assist suite and comes back seconds after being cleared. The dealer reported a shortage of parts and technicians, which dragged the repair out past a month. A separate report describes ProActive Driving Assist steering the car to the right to follow the shoulder line where it tapers into a right-turn lane. That is a loss-of-control risk on straight roads.
BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints)
BACK OVER PREVENTION
1 complaintI took my vehicle to Lexus of Louisville on 2/2/26 for Recall campaign number: NHTSA 25V744000 (Lexus internal 25LB06. My backup camera does not work at all but I was told my vin is not part of the recall even though my year, make and model is. Lexus charged $250 to diagnose the problem and the repair is $1311 for a new camera. The part is on backorder. I drive on average 25,000 miles per year. Not having a back up camera is a safety risk for myself and everyone around me as I am in and out of a minimum of 12 parking lots per day. My service rep, John said to diagnose the issue they replaced my camera with another one on the lot to confirm that was the issue. I have attached pictures of the problem. I do not believe this is a coincidence and hope Lexus will stand up and recognize the larger issue here.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintHi. I noticed my vehicle was randomly making a clunking noise in the rear end. Also, on the highway, it would drift and was difficult to steer. I took it to dealership to be examined because it was still under warranty. They showed me that the driver's side rear trailing arm was disconnected. The bolt was not even there. They stated that it was caused by outside influence, possibly from hitting something. But I did not hit anything. The only sign of damage was where the loose trailing arm rubbed against the steering knuckle. They also told me it was too dangerous to drive off the lot. Because they claimed outside influence, they did not cover it under warranty. I took it to my mechanic. He believed the bolt had come loose on its own. He thought this because the trailing arm bolt on the passenger side was very loose and about to fall out. The mechanic replaced the missing bolt and tightened the loose bolt. I would like to document that this happened and see if any other people had reported this problem. Lexus denied that there was an issue.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintMy RX350 experienced malfunction of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Messages regarding the malfunction of the ADAS first appeared around mid-August 2024. Upon inspection during the week of August 27 2024, the Lexus dealer, Akron-Canton of Lexus, indicated that the malfunction was caused by rats chewing on the soy-based wiring. The dealership replaced the wiring at a cost of $1,295.10. This is a problem caused by faulty design and inappropriate parts and design. It is inconceivable that car parts would be made of animal food. This put me and my family at serious risk of accident, as my reliance on warnings was severely compromised. Lexus needs to immediately replace the soy-covered wiring with something that is not edible by rodents or any other wildlife. In the interim, an equitable solution would be to reimburse the actual costs as well as compensate for the risks thrust upon drivers by their reckless use of inappropriate material. The repair invoice is attached.
Best & Worst Lexus RX Years
Best Lexus RX Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreLexus RX Years to Avoid
No Lexus RX years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 82 and 95 across 9 scored model years.
Lexus RX Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 85/100 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 86/100 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 86/100 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 90/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 85/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 85/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 83/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 95/100 | Excellent |
Lexus RX Reliability Compared to Other Years
| Year | Score | vs Prior Year | Rating | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 95/100 | +12 | Excellent | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 83/100 | -2 | Excellent | 5 | 9 |
| 2024 | 85/100 | 0 | Excellent | 9 | 48 |
| 2023(selected) | 85/100 | -5 | Excellent | 5 | 45 |
| 2022 | 90/100 | +4 | Excellent | 0 | 35 |
| 2021 | 86/100 | 0 | Excellent | 5 | 209 |
| 2020 | 86/100 | +4 | Excellent | 5 | 130 |
| 2019 | 82/100 | -3 | Excellent | 9 | 166 |
| 2018 | 85/100 | — | Excellent | 3 | 87 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 Lexus RX reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Lexus RX?
Does the 2023 Lexus RX have battery problems?
Does the 2023 Lexus RX have recalls?
Is the 2023 Lexus RX better than the 2022 or 2024?
Don’t buy a 2023 Lexus RX without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Lexus RX
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Lexus RX does best on repair costs (100/100) and worst on recall impact (75/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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