Almost every RX year is a good buy. The 2014 and 2018 have the fewest complaints. The 2016 and 2017 have the most, mainly brake actuator noise and exploding sunroofs, and are still well below average.
Best years: 20142018 Years to avoid: none stand out
Every RX year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 63 | - | 0 | Electrical | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 67 | - | 0 | Other | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 39 | 41 | 0 | Other | Good buy |
| 2021 | 71 | 62 | 0 | Air bags | Average |
| 2020 | 57 | 56 | 0 | Air bags | Average |
| 2019 | 68 | 61 | 3 | Fuel System | Average |
| 2018 | 47 | 42 | 2 | Fuel System | Good buy |
| 2017 | 104 | 96 | 3 | Other | Watch out |
| 2016 | 93 | 85 | 3 | Other | Average |
| 2015 | 67 | 67 | 1 | Other | Average |
| 2014 | 30 | 28 | 0 | Air bags | Good year |
| 2013 | 90 | 87 | 1 | Brakes | Good buy |
| 2012 | 48 | 50 | 1 | Speed control | Average |
About the RX
The RX is Lexus's best-selling SUV and one of the most dependable used luxury cars. Its complaint rate is under a fifth of the average SUV's. The few repeat complaints are a barking noise from the brake actuator, panoramic sunroofs that shatter, and timing cover oil leaks on the V6.
- 2010-2015: Third generation. Very few complaints; brake actuator noise begins to appear.
- 2016-2022: Fourth generation. Sunroof breakage and brake actuator noise are the main reports.
- 2023 on: Fifth generation, too new to judge fully.
RX vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Lexus RX?
2014 and 2018. Almost every RX year is a good buy. The 2014 and 2018 have the fewest complaints. The 2016 and 2017 have the most, mainly brake actuator noise and exploding sunroofs, and are still well below average.
Which Lexus RX years should I avoid?
No year stands out as clearly bad. Check the recall list for the exact year you are looking at.
What is the barking noise when braking on a Lexus RX?
It is the brake actuator (booster pump) assembly. It is a known issue on many 2010-2019 Lexus and Toyota models, and Toyota covered some under extended warranty. A replacement costs about $1,500 to $2,500.
Based on 844 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.