2020 Lexus RX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Lexus RX, 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
- Airbags2146.7%
- Driver assistance511.1%
- Tires & wheels48.9%
- Electrical48.9%
- Engine48.9%
- Body & structure24.4%
- Fuel system24.4%
- Other / unspecified12.2%
- Brakes12.2%
- Powertrain (other)12.2%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am submitting this correspondence to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2020 Lexus RX 350 and to request a thorough investigation. On Saturday, February 7, while attempting to park the vehicle, I experienced a sudden loss of control, resulting in the vehicle accelerating forward and colliding with a metal gate. The exact cause of this event is unknown. During the incident, the vehicle’s pre-collision and automatic braking system failed to engage despite an obstruction being present. Additionally, the airbags did not deploy at the time of impact. A minor child was present in the vehicle, properly secured in a child's safety seat. While no injuries occurred, the vehicle sustained extensive damage and was rendered inoperable. I would also like to note that this vehicle was subject to an airbag recall on November 29, 2025, which was serviced prior to this incident. Despite completing the recall service, the airbags failed to deploy during the accident. After the vehicle was towed, the airbags unexpectedly deployed while it was being lifted onto the tow truck using a crane, further raising concerns regarding the reliability and safety of the airbag system.
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus RX350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V365000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am submitting this correspondence to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2020 Lexus RX 350 and to request a thorough investigation. On Saturday, February 7, while attempting to park the vehicle, I experienced a sudden loss of control, resulting in the vehicle accelerating forward and colliding with a metal gate. The exact cause of this event is unknown. During the incident, the vehicle’s pre-collision and automatic braking system failed to engage despite an obstruction being present. Additionally, the airbags did not deploy at the time of impact. A minor child was present in the vehicle, properly secured in a child's safety seat. While no injuries occurred, the vehicle sustained extensive damage and was rendered inoperable. I would also like to note that this vehicle was subject to an airbag recall on November 29, 2025, which was serviced prior to this incident. Despite completing the recall service, the airbags failed to deploy during the accident. After the vehicle was towed, the airbags unexpectedly deployed while it was being lifted onto the tow truck using a crane, further raising concerns regarding the reliability and safety of the airbag system.
My 2020 Lexus RX 350 Navigation and Multimedia screen turns blank/black when headlights are on. The vehicle is available for inspection. When the car is put in reverse, the ability to see the safety back up view or any other peripheral safety monitoring views are gone. There were no warning messages prior to the failure. Lexus dealership was able to confirm the malfunction and performed a reset, which did not correct the malfunction. The federally mandated backup camera system is no longer functioning.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Tires installed by Lexus on Sept 27, 2022 are shredding and coming apart in chunks at 37,000 miles; tire is rated 60,000 miles. This is 56% of the projected life of the tire. Previous tires, same brand and size, only lasted 29,000 miles; 1/2 of the life of the tire. Current tires have good tread depth and life left if the chunks were not uniformly coming off of all tires. This condition leaves the tire vulnerable to road hazards and moderately sharp objects. Failure is clearly imminent. Dealer, upon inspection July 1, 2025, did suggest immediate replacement of the tires at normal retail prices. No warnings or alerts or other symptoms are present. There has been a slight loss of air pressure.
235/55R20 102V Michelin Premier LTX, premature wear, tires falling apart in layers & chunks, caused premature failure of front left strut on Lexus RX350. Started at 24,000 miles. Tires create an oscillation, causing you to think a tire balance issue, no alignment issue in the onset of problem. Tire tread not wearing but appears to be melting and becoming brittle. Road weight balanced and numbers varied per location of tire original tire driver front read 14-15 pushing to close to the 20 number and giving perspective of internal or manufacturer defects or construction issue. My vehicle has been back to the Lexus maintenance shop for tire balance check, test drives, discovered left front strut was failing & replaced, alignment checked, tires checked again, then again at the shop days apart due to oscillation feeling continuing, tires road force balanced, test drive & again taken back with information of GMC bulletin for tire premature wear with an NHTSA. I’ve tracked complaints of premature wear/material failure issues from videos/reports online as well. This is a 60,000 mile tire/warranty failing at 20-25,000 miles. The tire problems only lead me to believe this could be another Firestone situation if left unchecked. It’ll impact vehicle owners & dealerships: repair & research time, money, premature vehicle component wear & repairs for allowing defective products to be allowed on US roads. Definitely not needed at this time of inflation & limited supply of replacement parts & tire products. I did contact Michelin customer service to file complaint/claim (#02983306) and informed the representative that this had been an issue for the month of June & didn’t feel it safe to have these tires on the road and also don’t want any further premature wear/failure of components to my vehicle or endanger myself or loved ones.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I own a 2020 Lexus RX 450h with approximately 129,803 miles. The check engine light came on and the vehicle stored diagnostic trouble code P0A2D, which indicates a failure of the drive motor/temperature sensor circuit that is integrated into the transmission/hybrid motor assembly. According to the Lexus dealer’s diagnosis, the temperature control sensor located on the transmission/hybrid drive unit has failed. Because Lexus designed this sensor as part of the transmission assembly, the dealer has stated the sensor cannot be replaced separately and that the only repair is to replace the entire transmission. Lexus is refusing to acknowledge this as a manufacturing defect and is requiring me, the consumer, to pay the full cost of a complete transmission replacement, estimated at approximately $9,040.03, solely due to the failure of this internal temperature sensor. This is a critical component used to monitor drive motor/transmission temperature. A malfunctioning sensor of this type can lead to improper system operation, possible overheating, loss of power, or unpredictable behavior of the hybrid drive system while the vehicle is in motion, which presents a safety risk to occupants and other road users. This failure occurred during normal use on public roads and not due to any accident, abuse, or modification. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether there is a design or manufacturing defect in the drive motor/transmission temperature sensor and its housing or circuitry on the 2020 Lexus RX 450h (and related Toyota/Lexus hybrid models) that forces owners to replace the entire transmission when this internal sensor fails. This appears to be an unreasonable safety‑related defect and an unreasonable repair burden on consumers.
The car started giving warnings as follows in the middle of the highway on [XXX], at [XXX] 3 hours away from Chicago In order 1- Hybrid Malfunction, 2- Changing from 4 wheel to 2 wheel 3- Emergency Stop Vehicle And the car was full of the smell of burning I immediately turned off the car and called Lexus Roadside and towed off the vehicle to the Lexus dealership in Naperville, IL. Later learnt that Filter box had caught fire and also burnt cables leading from it to the engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving the engine stalls. It has jolted back-and-forth at times and had to be taken to a dealer. It’s still stalls when trying to slowly accelerate especially uphills. Low gas mileage barely getting 18 miles per gallon. Warning lights flickering while car stallling. It’s like it’s having a seizure. This has happened a few times.
I own a 2020 Lexus RX 450h with approximately 129,803 miles. The check engine light came on and the vehicle stored diagnostic trouble code P0A2D, which indicates a failure of the drive motor/temperature sensor circuit that is integrated into the transmission/hybrid motor assembly. According to the Lexus dealer’s diagnosis, the temperature control sensor located on the transmission/hybrid drive unit has failed. Because Lexus designed this sensor as part of the transmission assembly, the dealer has stated the sensor cannot be replaced separately and that the only repair is to replace the entire transmission. Lexus is refusing to acknowledge this as a manufacturing defect and is requiring me, the consumer, to pay the full cost of a complete transmission replacement, estimated at approximately $9,040.03, solely due to the failure of this internal temperature sensor. This is a critical component used to monitor drive motor/transmission temperature. A malfunctioning sensor of this type can lead to improper system operation, possible overheating, loss of power, or unpredictable behavior of the hybrid drive system while the vehicle is in motion, which presents a safety risk to occupants and other road users. This failure occurred during normal use on public roads and not due to any accident, abuse, or modification. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether there is a design or manufacturing defect in the drive motor/transmission temperature sensor and its housing or circuitry on the 2020 Lexus RX 450h (and related Toyota/Lexus hybrid models) that forces owners to replace the entire transmission when this internal sensor fails. This appears to be an unreasonable safety‑related defect and an unreasonable repair burden on consumers.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
2020 LEXUS RX350. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS WATER INTRUSION INTO THE FLOOR PASSENGER FLOOR AREA OF THE VEHICLE.THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED REPAIR WORK REQUIRED WAS DUE TO AN EXTERNAL INFLUENCE AND INSECT(SPIDER) FORMING A NEST IN THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSATION DRAIN LINE.
While into a road trip from Florida to Tennessee on I-75 the sunroof spontaneously exploded. The interior sunshade was closed. Otherwise the glass shards would have entered the interior. The glass most likely would have caused cut injuries to the driver (my wife) and I. Also, it may well have caused her to lose control of the vehicle resulting in a very serious accident while driving at 75 mph. My insurance company classified it as vehicle mechanical failure and not covered by my insurance. They indicated this has happen to other vehicles including Lexus. The replacement cost for glass and labor was $1,087.75
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving the engine stalls. It has jolted back-and-forth at times and had to be taken to a dealer. It’s still stalls when trying to slowly accelerate especially uphills. Low gas mileage barely getting 18 miles per gallon. Warning lights flickering while car stallling. It’s like it’s having a seizure. This has happened a few times.
Contact states they were sitting in DRIVE, with their foot on the brake. When the contact took their foot off the brake, they began to let the vehicle coast to about 5 MPH. Then, the vehicle lunged forward unexpectedly to about 25 MPH, when it collided with a rock. The vehicle had previously spent over 10 days in different dealerships to diagnose issues related to the engine running rough, the car stalling out, and the vehicle driving erratically and lunging forward. The contact only began to have issues with the vehicle after the NHTSA Denso Fuel Pump Recall. A year after the contact took delivery of the vehicle, the remedy was done. The dealership stated they had completed the remedy properly, but because of parts shortages they only MODIFIED the fuel pump, but that TMNA said this is a valid remedy. After further investigation, the remedy protocol which they followed did not match the one the manufacturer assured NHTSA they would follow, and there was no amended NHTSA remedy. Then, the manufacturer denied they told the dealership that the protocol they followed was a valid remedy. About 10 minutes after leaving the dealership the contact returned and stated the vehicle was running rough and driving erratically. The dealership told the contact that it was completely normal and that the vehicle just needs to re-learn their driving style. The contact had issues with the vehicle, including the illumination of warning lights, and the dealership cannot remedy the issue (refusing to replace/repair the fuel pump).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
The rear wheel which is Lexus OEM busted and lost air when driving on the highway at highway speed on June 23, 2026. This caused an immediate hazard and a dangerous loss of vehicle control. Fortunately, I was able to safely pull over, but this failure put my life and the lives of others at serious risk. The mileage is about 45,396. The vehicle was purchased from Freeport Lexus as a pre-owned on January 20, 2026. The recording from the dashcam shows no debris on the road and the car didn't hit any object the road. I've written an email to the dealer and asked for an field inspection of the wheel.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
Abs actuator noise voice
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I own a 2020 Lexus RX 450h with approximately 129,803 miles. The check engine light came on and the vehicle stored diagnostic trouble code P0A2D, which indicates a failure of the drive motor/temperature sensor circuit that is integrated into the transmission/hybrid motor assembly. According to the Lexus dealer’s diagnosis, the temperature control sensor located on the transmission/hybrid drive unit has failed. Because Lexus designed this sensor as part of the transmission assembly, the dealer has stated the sensor cannot be replaced separately and that the only repair is to replace the entire transmission. Lexus is refusing to acknowledge this as a manufacturing defect and is requiring me, the consumer, to pay the full cost of a complete transmission replacement, estimated at approximately $9,040.03, solely due to the failure of this internal temperature sensor. This is a critical component used to monitor drive motor/transmission temperature. A malfunctioning sensor of this type can lead to improper system operation, possible overheating, loss of power, or unpredictable behavior of the hybrid drive system while the vehicle is in motion, which presents a safety risk to occupants and other road users. This failure occurred during normal use on public roads and not due to any accident, abuse, or modification. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether there is a design or manufacturing defect in the drive motor/transmission temperature sensor and its housing or circuitry on the 2020 Lexus RX 450h (and related Toyota/Lexus hybrid models) that forces owners to replace the entire transmission when this internal sensor fails. This appears to be an unreasonable safety‑related defect and an unreasonable repair burden on consumers.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .