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2009 Lexus RX350Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 97 owner complaints about the 2009 Lexus RX350, most often about the steering. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2009 Lexus RX350
43
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the RX350 median · #4 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints9710 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage55kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 18, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Lexus RX350 has problems

97 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering280
Structure172
Engine120
Power train81
Air bags71
Electrical system70
Vehicle speed control64
Exterior lighting41
Service brakes, hydraulic30
9 other systems142

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2009 Lexus RX350 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do steering problems start?

55kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 24 steering complaints. 96% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles23under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Steering

16 owners mentioned a cost

$1,581median

Middle half: $1,488 – $1,800

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other RX350 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RX350 median. How we score

'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2009 Lexus RX350 safety ratings

2009 Lexus RX350 w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2009 Lexus RX350 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2009 Lexus RX350 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What RX350 owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY DEALER JUST TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING RACK KIT LEAKINGAND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THIS COMMON PROBLEM IN LEXUS,IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS, LEXUS SHOULD BE PAYING FOR IT, NOT ME. THE QUOTE IS FOR $1315
Complaint 11151104 · Nov 12, 2018
MY LEXUS HAS UNDER 20,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND NOT SEEN WINTERS. MY DEALER JUST TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING GEARBOX NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THIS CAR IS IN PERFECT SHAPE AND HAS HARDLY BEEN DRIVEN. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS, LEXUS SHOULD BE PAYING FOR IT, NOT ME.…
Complaint 11122889 · Aug 28, 2018 · 19,278 miles
MY CAR NEVER LEAKED OIL, AND NO SENSOR LIGHTS WERE ON. REGULAR MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON CRUISE CONTROL ABOUT 70 MPH (2,000 RPM) ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP TO 3,000-3,500 RPM. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITHIN 0.25 MILES, THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR…
Complaint 11118970 · Aug 10, 2018 · 103,000 miles

Own a 2009 RX350?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.