Last updated: 2026-03-04
Lexus RX vs Toyota Venza: Reliability Compared
Lexus RX
Toyota Venza
Choosing between the Lexus RX and the Toyota Venza? 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 80/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Lexus RX and Toyota Venza Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Lexus RX is more reliable than the Toyota Venza, scoring 85/100 vs 80/100.
The Lexus RX boasts an impressive average reliability score of 99/100, but it has been subject to 42 recalls over nine years and experiences 7.5 owner complaints per 10,000 sold. In contrast, the Toyota Venza, with a solid reliability score of 91/100, has had only 5 recalls in four years and a remarkably low 0.2 complaints per 10,000 vehicles sold. The main differentiator is the complaint rate; the Venza significantly outperforms the RX in this area, suggesting fewer consumer-reported issues. Additionally, the Venza benefits from a clear advantage with its lower estimated annual repair cost of $444.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Venza has 37 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Venza has 7.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Lexus RX scores 5 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Lexus RX vs Toyota Venza: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Lexus RX | Toyota Venza |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 85/100 | 80/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 4 |
| Total Recalls | 42 | 5 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.5 | 0.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2024 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Lexus RX and Toyota Venza?
The Lexus RX exhibits a broader range of complaint categories, with significant issues reported in areas such as air bags, electrical systems, and unknown or other problems, totaling 729 complaints. Notably, air bags account for 73 complaints, with 11 linked to crashes, highlighting a severe safety concern. In contrast, the Toyota Venza has only 9 complaints, primarily concerning exterior lighting and the fuel/propulsion system, and lacks the higher number of crash-linked issues seen in the Lexus RX. The disparity in the volume and nature of complaints suggests that the Lexus RX faces more complex and diverse reliability challenges compared to the Toyota Venza.
| Component | Lexus RX | Toyota Venza |
|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 0.8Very Low | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| TIRES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| STEERING | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Lexus RX or Toyota Venza?
How Does Lexus RX vs Toyota Venza Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Lexus RX | Toyota Venza | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 85/1009R / 48C | 80/1002R / 0C | Lexus RX |
| 2023 | 85/1005R / 45C | 80/1002R / 0C | Lexus RX |
| 2022 | 90/1000R / 35C | 80/1000R / 2C | Lexus RX |
| 2021 | 86/1005R / 209C | 79/1001R / 7C | Lexus RX |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Lexus RX scored 90/100 and the 2024 Toyota Venza scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Lexus RX vs the Toyota Venza?
Lexus RX vs Toyota Venza: Common Questions
- Is the Lexus RX more reliable than the Toyota Venza?
- Based on our data, the Lexus RX is more reliable with an average score of 85/100 compared to 80/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Lexus RX or the Toyota Venza?
- The Lexus RX has more recalls (42) compared to the Toyota Venza (5). 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 Lexus RX or the Toyota Venza?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Venza has a lower complaint rate at 0.2 per 10,000 sold versus 7.5 for the Lexus RX. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Lexus RX or Toyota Venza safer?
- Both the Lexus RX and Toyota Venza 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.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Lexus RX comparisons
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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