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2017 Lexus RX Hybrid Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Apr 23, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Lexus RX Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical428.6%
  • Driver assistance321.4%
  • Airbags214.3%
  • Body & structure214.3%
  • Brakes17.1%
  • Engine17.1%
  • Visibility17.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS RX450H. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MAIN DISPLAY SCREEN WENT BLANK AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ONCE THIS FAILURE OCCURRED, THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THE VEHICLE WOULD DISENGAGE AS WELL. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY LEXUS (4701 MCHENRY AVE, MODESTO, CA 95356) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE SCREEN NEEDING TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. *DT

NHTSA ID 11413555 · filed Apr 23, 2021

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS SEEMED TO SHUT DOWN ENTIRELY. THESE INCLUDED THE MULTI-INFORMATIONAL DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE PRIMARY INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY IN THE CENTER. VEHICLE'S PARKING SENSORS, ADAPTIVE CRUISE SYSTEM, AND INFOTAINMENT ALL WENT OFFLINE. THE SCREEN WENT BRIGHT MAGENTA AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DURING THE INCIDENT IN DENSE TRAFFIC WITHIN THE BAY AREA OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. CAUTIOUS MEASURES WERE TAKEN, AND AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND FINDING A REST STOP, VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN AND REBOOTED 3X BEFORE SYSTEM CAME BACK ONLINE.

NHTSA ID 11407425 · filed Apr 10, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS SEEMED TO SHUT DOWN ENTIRELY. THESE INCLUDED THE MULTI-INFORMATIONAL DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE PRIMARY INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY IN THE CENTER. VEHICLE'S PARKING SENSORS, ADAPTIVE CRUISE SYSTEM, AND INFOTAINMENT ALL WENT OFFLINE. THE SCREEN WENT BRIGHT MAGENTA AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DURING THE INCIDENT IN DENSE TRAFFIC WITHIN THE BAY AREA OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. CAUTIOUS MEASURES WERE TAKEN, AND AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND FINDING A REST STOP, VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN AND REBOOTED 3X BEFORE SYSTEM CAME BACK ONLINE.

NHTSA ID 11407425 · filed Apr 10, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS RX450H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. PIIR = Y. *TR

NHTSA ID 11241031 · filed Aug 1, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AIR CONDITIONER RADIATOR FLUID SMELL, THEN STARTED LEAKING IN PASSENGER SIDE

NHTSA ID 11337487 · filed Jul 4, 2020

1 YEAR OLD (LESS THAN 9800 MILES) VEHICLE AC DRAIN LINE CLOG - SERVICE CENTER DIAGNOSIS CAUSE "SPIDER WEB" , BUT NO VISUAL PROOF. IT SUSPECTED LIKE 2013 TOYOTA RECALL 13V-442 (ATTACHED). DRAIN LINE CLOG CAUSE ALL INTERIOR CARPET/LINING/SOUND PROOF MATERIAL DAMAGE WITH BLACK MOLD. LX DO NOT WANT TO COVER THIS FOR WARRANTY. I FILED MY OWN INSURANCE TO PROCEED TO FIX. REQUESTED MANUFACTURING TEST METHOD BEFORE/AFTER DRAIN LINE INSTALL AND CAR MANUFACTURING. LX DO NOT WANT TO PRESENT THE RELATED TEST RESULT. THE REPAIR QUOTE IS OVER $9K AND ESTIMATED OVER 4-6 WEEKS DURATION. OWNER SUSPECT THAT LX IS PUSHING RELIABILITY ISSUE (RARE CASES LIKE TOYOTA RECALL ABOVE) TO CUSTOMER SIDE SO THAT THEIR REPORT IS SHINING. DRAIN LINE UNCLOG METHOD BY LX PROFESSIONAL WAS JUST USING COMPRESSED AIR TO CLEAN OUT THE CLOG. (THEY KEPT CHANGING THE METHOD SUCH LIKE USED NEGATIVE PRESSURE ONE END OF LINE, ETC.) - CLOG FIX IS DONE ON 1 YEAR COMPLEMENTARY SERVICE (TOOK ABOUT 6-7 HRS. THEIR REGULAR PROMISE FOR ROUTINE CHECK UP IS LESS THAN 3 HRS). FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEM OWNERS COMPLAINT FROM LEXUS FORUM. (ABOUT ~60 POSTING EXCLUDING MY CASE): HTTPS://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/RX-4TH-GEN-2016-PRESENT/869775-WATER-INSIDE-CAR-DRAIN-CLOGGED-MERGED-THREADS-4.HTML

NHTSA ID 11074358 · filed Feb 22, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE I - 5 IN PORTLAND, OREGON, AVERAGE SPEED OF 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY BACK REAR TRUNK GLASS SHATTERED AND CONTINUE TO BREAK IN LITTLE PIECES. BECAUSE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY , II RULED OUT ANY MALICIOUS ACT, JUST THE WINDOW SHATTERING FOR KNOW REASON.

NHTSA ID 11163711 · filed Dec 27, 2018

1 YEAR OLD (LESS THAN 9800 MILES) VEHICLE AC DRAIN LINE CLOG - SERVICE CENTER DIAGNOSIS CAUSE "SPIDER WEB" , BUT NO VISUAL PROOF. IT SUSPECTED LIKE 2013 TOYOTA RECALL 13V-442 (ATTACHED). DRAIN LINE CLOG CAUSE ALL INTERIOR CARPET/LINING/SOUND PROOF MATERIAL DAMAGE WITH BLACK MOLD. LX DO NOT WANT TO COVER THIS FOR WARRANTY. I FILED MY OWN INSURANCE TO PROCEED TO FIX. REQUESTED MANUFACTURING TEST METHOD BEFORE/AFTER DRAIN LINE INSTALL AND CAR MANUFACTURING. LX DO NOT WANT TO PRESENT THE RELATED TEST RESULT. THE REPAIR QUOTE IS OVER $9K AND ESTIMATED OVER 4-6 WEEKS DURATION. OWNER SUSPECT THAT LX IS PUSHING RELIABILITY ISSUE (RARE CASES LIKE TOYOTA RECALL ABOVE) TO CUSTOMER SIDE SO THAT THEIR REPORT IS SHINING. DRAIN LINE UNCLOG METHOD BY LX PROFESSIONAL WAS JUST USING COMPRESSED AIR TO CLEAN OUT THE CLOG. (THEY KEPT CHANGING THE METHOD SUCH LIKE USED NEGATIVE PRESSURE ONE END OF LINE, ETC.) - CLOG FIX IS DONE ON 1 YEAR COMPLEMENTARY SERVICE (TOOK ABOUT 6-7 HRS. THEIR REGULAR PROMISE FOR ROUTINE CHECK UP IS LESS THAN 3 HRS). FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEM OWNERS COMPLAINT FROM LEXUS FORUM. (ABOUT ~60 POSTING EXCLUDING MY CASE): HTTPS://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/RX-4TH-GEN-2016-PRESENT/869775-WATER-INSIDE-CAR-DRAIN-CLOGGED-MERGED-THREADS-4.HTML

NHTSA ID 11074358 · filed Feb 22, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 LEXUS RX450H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD 120 FEET GOING BETWEEN 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE, AS THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO THE CURB. ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES BRUISING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS CONTACTED BUT NOT NEEDED. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY FOR MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION LOT WHERE THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. FREEMAN TOYOTA 2875 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407 (707) 535-2330 WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT A TECHNICIAN OUT TO THE COLLISION LOT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. INVALID VIN.

NHTSA ID 11377968 · filed Dec 4, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I RECENTLY INCURRED A A $2900 REPAIR BILL FOR RODENT DAMAGE TO MY KNOCK SENSOR WIRE HARNESS ON MY 2017 LEXUS RX 450H. (MILEAGE 13,000). IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE WIRING INVOLVED HAS A SOY BASED COATING. THIS COATING MAKES IT A FOOD SOURCE FOR 'CRITTERS '. THE REPLACEMENT WIRING HAS THE SAME COATING MAKING THE CHANCES OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN EXTREMELY HIGH. THE CAR IS GARAGED WITH PERIODS OF OUTDOOR TIME. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER HOW TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN I WAS TOLD TO SPREAD MOTHBALLS ON THE DRIVEWAY AND GARAGE FLOOR AND TO STUFF BOUNCE DRYER SHEETS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SERIOUSLY!!!! NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN. HOW MANY OTHER LEXUS/TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM? I WOULD HOPE THERE WOULD BE A BETTER SOLUTION THAN MOTHBALLS AND DRYER SHEETS. LEXUS RESPONDED WITH AN 'APOLOGY ' BUT NO MONETARY ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11222036 · filed Jun 24, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE I - 5 IN PORTLAND, OREGON, AVERAGE SPEED OF 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY BACK REAR TRUNK GLASS SHATTERED AND CONTINUE TO BREAK IN LITTLE PIECES. BECAUSE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY , II RULED OUT ANY MALICIOUS ACT, JUST THE WINDOW SHATTERING FOR KNOW REASON.

NHTSA ID 11163711 · filed Dec 27, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .