Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Engine reportsComplaints 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 Jul 23, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 46 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Lexus RX submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming engine
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 23, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported
3 months before the accident the power steering light came on twice and went off. The day of the accident the brake light came on when I started the car that day. It disappeared when I was put in drive. I was entering onto the highway to merge with the traffic. Another car waiting for the light to turn green so he could enter also. My car didn’t stop because my brakes failed and the collision avoidance system didn’t work either. No sounds nor warnings. I have photos of the message that was displayed on the dashboard. Tried sending photos but it didn’t work.
NHTSA ID
11675681
Incident
Jun 4, 2025
Engine
Filed Mar 6, 2025
1. Engine timing cover leaking 2. Oil could leak out emptying which could cause the engine to stop working at any given time 3. Problem has been confirmed by Hennessy Lexus dealership in Duluth, GA but they will not fix it. 4. Vehicle has been inspected by the dealership 5. No signs, I found out from the dealership after taking it in for an oil change
NHTSA ID
11646648
Incident
Feb 19, 2025
Engine
Filed Sep 8, 2024
My car has an oil leak from the timing chain cover gasket that was discovered by an independent mechanic at 37,465 miles. The dealer confirmed the leak on June 14, 2024 during a recall replacement of the fuel pump. The repair is very expensive and the car is no longer under warranty. This is the second occurrence of this same issue. The first occurred in April 2021 at 24,192 miles and was repaired by the dealer under warranty. There were no warning lamps or messages of the problem but there was oil on the ground where I park. The car is available for inspection. An internet search confirms that this is a known and common problem with the Lexus RX350 (and specifically the 2017 model) for many owners with some occurring more than once as in my case.
NHTSA ID
11613316
Incident
Jun 13, 2024
Engine
Filed Jul 8, 2024
On [XXX], my wife, [XXX] , was driving our Lexus RX 350 when she noticed engine smoke without any prior notifications from the vehicle. Concerned for her safety, she pulled over and contacted Geico for assistance. Geico arranged for the vehicle to be towed to Motor City Lexus, a trusted Lexus dealership in Bakersfield. Once we the dealership performed a diagnosis they advised that the issue involved coolant being leaked into the engine that caused the smoke with in result caused the engine blow head gasket. After doing some research I saw an article from consumer reports about some Lexus and Toyota SUVs doing the exact same thing which made me decide to wrote about this incident. I am including the link regarding the report [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11600269
Incident
Oct 12, 2022
Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2024
During a routine maintenance at the Lexus dealer where vehicle was purchased, we were told that there was a potential oil leak from ("potentially") the engine where the block, cylinder head, and timing cover components meet. The quote we got for the repair is $18,781.52 as a good portion of the car needs to be disassembled to access the motor. This issue was only brought up after the warranty expired. The Toyota 2GR-FKS 3.5L V-6 engine in this vehicle is known to leak in this area due to the gasket mating surfaces in the area mentioned above not sealing completely requiring silicone RTV caulk to be installed during engine assembly. If this is not done correctly leaks occur. Lexus refuses to make good on this saying the car is out of warranty. Ironically, after receiving the quote from the dealer for the repair, we received an offer to extend the warranty - available only after this $18k repair was completed.
NHTSA ID
11568526
Incident
Dec 6, 2023
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 17, 2022
I just picked My Car up from Bakersfield Motor Ciry Lexus . My engine was replaced with a engine at this location with 65k . I have now notice my car jerk during acceleration from a stop position or uphill possibly from the transmission . I respectfully requesting a claim be opened on this issue as I didn't have the issue until engine replacement. I am also requesting a courtesy evaluation and stress test on the transmission at my home dealership Newport Beach Lexus. Ever since engine replacement the car has been bucking during acceleration 0 to 45.
NHTSA ID
11493983
Incident
Oct 30, 2022
Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2022
The Dealer Northtown Lexus in Amherst, New York replaced the vacuum pump per a factory recall. As a result, the vacuum pump continues to function improperly. The dealership, whom repaired the vehicle without my authorization, refuses to complete the vehicle repair.
NHTSA ID
11493306
Incident
May 8, 2020
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 26, 2022
On 5/8/2020, Northtown Lexus replaced or repaired the vacuum pump. Northtown Lexus required the vehicle to be returned for repair twice, following the initial repair on 5/8/2020. After three attempts, the vehicle's vacuum pump (per a factory recall) is not functioning properly. Northtown Lexus refuses to further diagnosis this defective vacuum pump and continued to decline any and all requests for repair. The vehicle operates abnormally ever since this factory recall was originally addressed by Northtown Lexus on 5/8/2020.
NHTSA ID
11486423
Incident
May 8, 2020
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 8, 2021
The car stalls while I'm driving, and it almost caused a traffic. Accident, I have been trying to contact my local lexus dealer and they keep hanging up the phone when I try to call and make appointments
NHTSA ID
11436026
Incident
Oct 8, 2021
Engine
Filed Jul 21, 2021
Engine hesitation. sometimes the engine suddenly slows down or like lossing it’s power while running on the freeway or making a turn or going uphill . This is a very scarry situation everytime it does .
NHTSA ID
11425869
Incident
Jul 20, 2021
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own