2023 Lexus RX Owner Complaints

Battery drains which locks car unexpectedly. No warning, even with car FOB inside car which creates a safety issue if child or someone is in the car. All doors lock and with no access to FOB cannot open the door with manual key. Also, safety issue if this happens at night or in a parking lot etc. Cannot open doors at all - There is obviously an issue with the battery draining after only a few days. Dealer solution - plug in a battery maintainer - problem if you are parking the car at an airport for multiple days. No place to plug the car in... Lexus needs to figure out what is draining the battery or some fix to stop this from happening - I drive my car several times a week 30 miles at least - still happens. Have had to replace battery twice so far.

NHTSA ID

11759669

Incident

Aug 5, 2026

The vehicle exhibits a severe, load-based mechanical transmission whine strictly during active acceleration. The pitch of the whining sound rises and falls in direct proportion to the engine's RPMs. This vehicle utilizes the Toyota/Lexus 8-speed automatic transmission architecture, which has a well-documented manufacturing flaw involving internal bearing wear, gear misalignment, and fluid starvation.This mechanical defect poses an immediate and severe safety hazard. The continuous internal wear and gear friction create an unpredictable risk of sudden transmission lock-up, unexpected dropping out of gear, or complete engine stalling while operating at high highway speeds. A sudden loss of motive power on a fast-moving highway leaves the driver completely unable to accelerate out of harm's way, creating an imminent risk of a severe rear-end collision or a catastrophic traffic accident. The manufacturer has failed to issue a safety recall for this known powertrain failure."

NHTSA ID

11758409

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Lexus RX 500h. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking erratically, and the vehicle stopped independently. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated and the message to “See the Dealer” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure reoccurred. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The failure reoccurred. In addition, the contact stated that the self-parking feature was deactivated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The technician test drove the vehicle, and the failure reoccurred twice. The contact was informed that a report was sent to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. The engineer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The inspection was completed; however, the vehicle information was incorrect on the documents. The contact was informed that another inspection would be scheduled. The failure mileage was approximately 10,637.

NHTSA ID

11757971

Incident

May 14, 2024

Mileage

10,637 mi

The contact owns a 2023 Lexus RX 500h. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and an engineer was sent to inspect the vehicle; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the inspection; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 10,637.

NHTSA ID

11757964

Incident

May 17, 2024

Mileage

10,637 mi

While driving on [XXX] in [XXX] with my young child in the vehicle, my 2023 Lexus RX 350 F Sport suddenly lost acceleration. The vehicle initially would not accelerate beyond 50 mph and then progressively lost power, eventually being unable to accelerate beyond 40 mph. This occurred during rush-hour traffic, with vehicles traveling faster than me and passing closely. I attempted to move farther onto the shoulder because I felt unsafe being so close to traffic, but the vehicle became completely unable to drive. I had to stop and attempt to determine what was wrong with the vehicle. There were no warning lights, dashboard warnings, or notifications through the Lexus app before or during the incident. I had driven approximately 200 miles that day and had not noticed any unusual noises, odors, and nothing sounded abnormal prior to the failure. The vehicle had been regularly serviced every 5,000–10,000 miles. Its most recent service was in late March 2026, four months before this incident, and I was not informed of any transmission problems at that time. The vehicle had 80,000 miles at the time of the failure, and the scheduled transmission service/check was not due until 90,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to Lexus for diagnosis. Lexus determined that the transmission needed to be replaced and is holding my vehicle as transmissions are on back order. Lexus has agreed to cover the replacement transmission and is charging me $1800 for labor costs. I am reporting this incident because the sudden loss of acceleration and eventual complete loss of the ability to drive occurred while traveling on a freeway with a child in the vehicle and surrounding traffic, creating a significant safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11757831

Incident

Aug 8, 2026

The rain-sensing wiper system in my 2023 Lexus RX has been inoperative since I purchased the vehicle in May 2023 (current mileage: approximately 55,000 miles). The automatic wipers consistently fail to activate in response to rain, requiring manual operation while driving — a dangerous distraction that significantly reduces safety, especially during heavy rainfall when visibility is already compromised. This defect has been present since the day of purchase and is therefore a manufacturing defect, not a wear-and-tear issue. Lexus has since officially confirmed this through TSB L-SB-0025-25, which specifically addresses rain-sensing wiper failure in certain 2023 RX models. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Rather than visiting a dealership, I filed a complaint directly with Lexus Customer Care after discovering through owner forums that multiple dealerships had been unable to diagnose or repair this issue, with all repair requests being turned away. A case number was assigned by Lexus Customer Care, documenting that this defect was reported within the warranty period. No warning lamps or dashboard messages appeared at any point. The system simply never functioned correctly from the time of purchase. Although the vehicle's warranty limit is 50,000 miles, this defect existed from the manufacturing stage and was formally reported to Lexus well within the warranty period. I believe this repair should be covered regardless of the current mileage, and I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter.

NHTSA ID

11757460

Incident

Jul 29, 2026

had transmission replaced 2 times and update to transmission. this is a brand new car purchased in 2023. first transmission replaced at 20,963 miles, 2nd replaced at 33,543 miles, 35,221 miles transmission update. It was cumulative 33 out of service. We feel this vehicle is unsafe to drive. Even after all the transmissions replaced om the is vehicle had 2 more incidents. One was loss of power in traffic and another was on a highway transmission would not shift into higher gear. This is not new there have been hundreds of people with the same exact problems. Lexus has internal TSB L-SB-0059-23 detailing these problems.

NHTSA ID

11754621

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

On July 21st, 2026 while stopped at a red light and upon turning green stepped on the accelerator to transition from stop to start, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power. The engine failed to respond to accelerator input, leaving the vehicle stranded in active traffic. This created an immediate rear-end collision hazard in a busy intersection. I was forced to coast the vehicle out of traffic to the side of the road, cycle the ignition off, and reset and temporarily regain powertrain functionality. Also on July 25th, 2026 I lost the power to accelerate on the highway when I was cutoff. I put the car in neutral and then back in drive to get power back to accelerate. These are the most recent, But I have had 2 transmission replacements. At separate times and then a re flashing to upgrade computer information another time. All within a 7 month period. This is a known issue by Toyota Motor Corp and has been circulated by the company under TSB-L-SB-0059-23.

NHTSA ID

11754128

Incident

Jul 21, 2026

when driving on the highway and i let up the gas the engine surges. this is an ongoing issue. makes me apply the brakes or take action scary. it happens all the time. took it to lexus and they say this is normal. to me it is a safety driving issue. it surges for some time with no gas applied.

NHTSA ID

11748178

Incident

Mar 8, 2026

My 2023 Lexus RX350 with 67,000 miles displayed a check engine light along with a Drive-Start Control Malfunction warning. The vehicle was brought to a Lexus dealership where it was diagnosed with fault code P25B372 — Turbocharger Wastegate A Actuator Stuck Open. The dealership confirmed the wastegate actuator has failed and requires replacement. The part is currently on backorder with over 800 units backordered nationally, indicating this is a systemic issue affecting multiple vehicles. Toyota has issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0084-23 covering this exact fault code on the same 2.4L turbocharged engine used in the 2023 Lexus RX350. The bulletin states the repair is covered under the Federal Emission Warranty for 96 months or 80,000 miles. However, the Lexus dealership has declined warranty coverage citing the absence of a Lexus-specific bulletin, despite the identical engine and fault code. The failure puts safety at risk as the Drive-Start Control Malfunction warning indicates loss of traction and stability control systems. The problem has been confirmed by the Lexus dealership. Warning lamps appeared on the dashboard prior to the visit. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11740958

Incident

May 29, 2026

Vehicle jerking back and forth aggressively while at a complete stop with foot firmly on brake pedal. Vehicle seems to want to lurch forward.

NHTSA ID

11734180

Incident

Apr 26, 2026

I am experiencing ongoing issues with my 2023 Lexus RX500h related to the powertrain/transmission. The vehicle has exhibited abnormal shifting behavior, including hesitation, jerking, and inconsistent acceleration. At times, the vehicle does not respond smoothly when accelerating, which raises safety concerns, especially when merging into traffic or driving at highway speeds. The issue occurs intermittently and has persisted despite multiple attempts to diagnose or address the problem. The condition affects the drivability and reliability of the vehicle and has not been resolved.

NHTSA ID

11733235

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

Car stopped running during turn. Then started creeping along ,then after a bit ,started working normally. Happened a few times after. Then later car wouldn’t start in garage, had to get jumpstart. Took to Lexus dealer and found out the 12 volt battery was shot.they replaced it. Very frightening experience. Could have had an accident.

NHTSA ID

11729355

Incident

Mar 18, 2026

The contact owned a 2023 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, it suddenly accelerated without warning. While driving in a parking lot, the vehicle again surged forward approximately 20 feet. The contact was able to swerve to avoid striking a pedestrian. The vehicle became uncontrollable, and the brakes were inoperable. The vehicle ultimately crashed into a dumpster fence, which fell onto the vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to her mouth, including cuts to the inside and outside of her mouth, and medical attention was provided by a plastic surgeon. The fire department responded to the scene. The air bags did not deploy during the crash. There was no fire, and a police report was not filed. The fire department was on the scene. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company later deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer has not been notified. The failure occurred at approximately 18,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11723281

Incident

Mar 3, 2026

Mileage

18,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE. GLASS WAS FACING UP AND THERE IS NO VISIBLE SIGN OF ANYTHING HITING THE SUNROOF FROM ABOVE

NHTSA ID

11723120

Incident

Mar 8, 2026

[XXX] ’s my wife we’re driving in Sacramento.The vehicle was stopped at a traffic signal waiting for the light to change. Suddenly, without warning the vehicle started violently shuddering/shaking, scaring us completely. The shaking stopped when my wife put into park. But for those few seconds it was extremely scary. This incident should be investigated by the NHTSA as a repeat of the incident in moving traffic may cause severe property damage, serious injury and possible loss of life. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11722907

Incident

Mar 7, 2026

2023 Lexus RX350. Subscription expiration caused a total screen freeze that prevent other functions ( i.e. rear view camara) to work as the screen just go blank and hang forever unless you reboot. Big safety issue!

NHTSA ID

11722074

Incident

Feb 23, 2026

While driving westbound on Route 70 in Ohio at highway speed, we suddenly heard what sounded like an explosion and immediately felt exposure to outside air within the vehicle. The event was abrupt and very startling while in motion. After safely stopping and inspecting the vehicle, we observed that the driver-side rear door window had shattered. The damage included a pronounced irregular opening located approximately in the middle of the window toward the rear edge, with complete fragmentation of the surrounding tempered glass. We inspected the interior of the vehicle and surrounding area for evidence of a rock, debris, or other projectile but did not locate any object that could have caused the damage. This unexpected window failure created driver distraction, potential risk of injury from glass fragments, and sudden loss of window integrity while driving at highway speed. This report is submitted so that any potential pattern of unexpected automotive glass failure in this vehicle model can be evaluated.

NHTSA ID

11719706

Incident

Feb 22, 2026

This submission is a supplement to a previously filed complaint. Original complaint number: 11719553." In my previously submitted complaint, I incorrectly stated that the vehicle remained stationary until delivery. The actual situation is: the sunroof glass shattered while the vehicle was parked, but the day after the incident, I drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. I am providing this supplement to clarify the vehicle’s status in the original report. The incident occurred while the vehicle was completely stationary, with no external forces or driving involved.

NHTSA ID

11719594

Incident

Jan 31, 2026

Vehicle: 2023 Lexus RX350 (Certified Pre-Owned) Ownership Duration: ~3 months Incident Description On February 1, 2026, the sunroof glass of my vehicle shattered inward into the cabin without any collision or known external force. The vehicle was parked on the street next to a residential garage entrance, with no trees or overhead objects nearby. I have photographs documenting the shattered sunroof. No alerts were received on my mobile app at the time. The vehicle remained stationary and was not operated until delivered to the dealership. Around February 2–3, my mobile app indicated vehicle activity, confirming the dealership accessed or connected diagnostic equipment while the vehicle was in their possession. They never disclosed inspection results or technical findings. Dealership and Manufacturer Response February 2, 2026: Vehicle delivered to authorized Lexus dealership; advised to contact manufacturer. February 13, 2026: Lexus North America phone call – warranty/goodwill coverage denied. February 19, 2026: Dealership confirmed repair not covered. Email to service manager requesting inspection findings, diagnostic conclusions, and written denial – no response. February 20, 2026: In-person visit; dealership refused to provide inspection results, stating vehicle was received broken and I could pay for repair or take it unrepaired. Repair Order (R/O) stated: “Probably due to outside influence.” No evidence or technical explanation was provided. Safety Concern The sunroof glass shattered inward, presenting a direct hazard to occupants. The failure occurred within three months of CPO purchase, raising concerns about inspection process and sunroof integrity. This may indicate a broader defect affecting other vehicles with similar sunroof systems. Current Status Vehicle is under repair at my expense despite lack of confirmed cause or documented findings. Evidence Photographs of shattered sunroof Repair Order from dealership Mobile app records

NHTSA ID

11719553

Incident

Jan 31, 2026

I took my vehicle to Lexus of Louisville on 2/2/26 for Recall campaign number: NHTSA 25V744000 (Lexus internal 25LB06. My backup camera does not work at all but I was told my vin is not part of the recall even though my year, make and model is. Lexus charged $250 to diagnose the problem and the repair is $1311 for a new camera. The part is on backorder. I drive on average 25,000 miles per year. Not having a back up camera is a safety risk for myself and everyone around me as I am in and out of a minimum of 12 parking lots per day. My service rep, John said to diagnose the issue they replaced my camera with another one on the lot to confirm that was the issue. I have attached pictures of the problem. I do not believe this is a coincidence and hope Lexus will stand up and recognize the larger issue here.

NHTSA ID

11715162

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

The 2023 Lexus RX-350 has had complete 12 volt battery failure twice in the last year. The hybrid battery charging procedure for the 12 volt battery is insufficient. Twice I have been stranded. The frequency and duration of the hybrid battery charging is not sufficient. A more powerful 12 volt AGM battery is needed. The dealer says I am not taking sufficiently long trips to charge the battery. Last Saturday I took two 30 - 40 minute trips but the battery had only 11.8 volts requiring a 100% charge. There should be a recall to fix this problem.

NHTSA ID

11711016

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

Hi. I noticed my vehicle was randomly making a clunking noise in the rear end. Also, on the highway, it would drift and was difficult to steer. I took it to dealership to be examined because it was still under warranty. They showed me that the driver's side rear trailing arm was disconnected. The bolt was not even there. They stated that it was caused by outside influence, possibly from hitting something. But I did not hit anything. The only sign of damage was where the loose trailing arm rubbed against the steering knuckle. They also told me it was too dangerous to drive off the lot. Because they claimed outside influence, they did not cover it under warranty. I took it to my mechanic. He believed the bolt had come loose on its own. He thought this because the trailing arm bolt on the passenger side was very loose and about to fall out. The mechanic replaced the missing bolt and tightened the loose bolt. I would like to document that this happened and see if any other people had reported this problem. Lexus denied that there was an issue.

NHTSA ID

11710520

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

If we don't drive the car for 4 or 5 days, especially in cold weather, the car will sometimes not start due to a drained 12V battery. We've spoken to Lexus of Rockville, MD and Lexus roadside assistance, who are aware of the issue but say the 12V battery is "healthy." Online research shows this is a widespread known issue with Lexus RX350h and RX500h vehicles from 2023 onward: [XXX] [XXX] . A simple software update to ensure that the high-voltage hybrid battery charges the 12V battery to a greater extent when the vehicle is parked should solve the problem, but Lexus has so far not addressed this problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11710076

Incident

Jan 8, 2026

On at least 7 occasions the driver was TRAPPED inside the vehicle. The car failed to start and the doors and windows locked. If the driver had not had a cell phone to make an emergency call he would have been locked inside until someone discovered the problem. Had this happened in Phoenix, AZ in the summer, there is a very good chance the driver would have been dead before he was rescued. The last time was December 11, 2025. We replaced the starter battery for 2nd time in 2 years and 40K miles.

NHTSA ID

11707085

Incident

Dec 11, 2025