RoadVitals

2020 Lexus RX Hybrid

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
2
Latest Oct 13, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 20, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Lexus RX Hybrid, most frequently naming the driver assistance category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 107 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance1100.0%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Dec 20, 2023
999,901 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 23TA15, 23LA03View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Oct 13, 2020

I TOOK THE CAR TO METRO EXPRESS CAR WASH IN DENVER. AS THE CAR PROGRESSED ALONG THE TRACKS, THE TALL BRUSH APPROACHED THE CAR AND THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM GOT ACTIVATED, THE CAR GOT PUSHED OFF-TRACK AND BRUSHED AGAINST ALL KINDS OF TUBES, PIPES AND SCRATCHED AND DENTED THE ENTIRE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DAMAGE AT THE LEXUS CERTIFIED BODY SHOP (REQUIRED BY MY LEASE AGREEMENT WITH LEXUS FINANCIAL) IS $12,000 (AND COUNTING). ONLY ABOUT 50% IS COVERED BY STATE FARM BECAUSE THE LEXUS CERTIFIED SHOP IS NOT ON THEIR LIST OF PREFERRED SHOPS. NOTHING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL COVERS THE BEHAVIOR OF THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM NOR DID THE DEALERS 'DEMO' OF THE EXTENSIVE TECHNICAL FEATURES CAUTION ME OF WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING IN SUCH A CASE. THE CAR WASH ONLY ASKED THE CAR BE IN NEUTRAL AND THE AUTOMATIC WIPERS BE SWITCHED OFF. I HAVE FOR THE PAST MONTH (CASE NUMBER 2009080358) TRIED TO IMPRESS ON LEXUS THAT THIS ATTEMPT TO DENY ANY RESPONSIBILTY HAS BEEN MET WITH A TOTAL DISREGARD TO MY SITUATION

NHTSA ID
11364079
Incident
Sep 3, 2020
Mileage
858 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 17, 2020
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 LEXUS RX 450H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PANICKED AND CRASHED INTO A RESTAURANT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WOODLAND HILLS (21701 VENTURA BLVD, WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364), WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NOT COMPLETED DUE TO THE FEES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INSURANCE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS COMPLETED OF THE ACCIDENT DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AN INSPECTOR WILL BE SENT OUT. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT PER THE EVENT DATA RECORDER THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240. *LN*JB

NHTSA ID
11318490
Incident
Jan 20, 2020
Mileage
240 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

L-SB-0057-22 Rev2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 2, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0004-26.

L-SB-0004-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation System, require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-TT-0326-23 Rev2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some customers may experience operational difficulties with some telematics features which they cannot resolve on their own. These resources, in conjunction with the Repair Manual, are for dealership personnel to assist those customers with user issues, user errors, and compatibility issues with other vehicle systems and external applications encountered while operating telematics features.

L-SB-0043-23 Rev1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

L-TT-0341-25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the system and are only to be used when requested by FTS and/or FPE.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus RX Hybrid by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000
2025120
2024130
2023020
2022001
2021011
2020Viewing211
2019301
2018301
2017100144.5
2016721
2015501
2014201
2013120147.3
2012301
2011120154.7
2010810
2009000
2008571154.4
2007593360.1
20061545359.4
2005211
2004011

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.