RoadVitals

2026 Lexus RX 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.
3
Latest Aug 10, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
5
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 2026 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

  • Fuel system233.3%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%

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

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

First incident. 71 mph, 101 degrees out traveling along a straight highway, I hit the seat cooler button and when I did, my car lost power. I could not get any response when I hit the accelerator. I tried several times. This was on XXX with around 500 miles on the car in the odometer. I had it less than a week. Second incident on XXX 25 mph, 105 degrees outside with 1300 miles in the odometer, I again, lost power and was unable to accelerate. I was on a windy road that required the use of both hands on the wheel. With this incident I lost the AC in the cabin. I had to pull over both times and turn off my vehicle and turn back on. There were no lights, or warnings or beeps letting me know that my car was going to lose or lost power. I took the vehicle to Crown Lexus in Ontario, they had it for 7 days and they could not find anything wrong with it. When they ran a diagnostic on it, there were no codes other than they said I put the car in neutral while driving. Which did not happen. My husband was with me both times. I then had the car towed to Lexus of [XXX] and we went for a test drive, as they wanted to see how I drive to rule out human error and to see if the car would have another incident. It did not. They kept it overnight and could not find anything. The first dealer drove it about 70 miles and the second around 10 miles to diagnose. The green ready light was on the dash. As to what component failed? I am not sure other than I could not accelerate and the ac went out. My safety and my husbands, along with other drivers, was put at risk due to the fact my car was traveling at a high rate of speed and it just lost power. I could have been rear ended. I could have been on a road without a shoulder to move over to. This could have been a major catastrophe. The dealer(s) have been unable to reproduce the incidents. There has been no inspection other than at the dealer, and during both incidents, no warning lights, or beeps were seen or heard INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

NHTSA ID 11756092 · filed Aug 10, 2026

Technical Incident Timeline Suspected Unintended Acceleration Event 2026 Lexus RX 350h Premium+ (Approximately 96 Miles) Vehicle: 2026 Lexus RX 350h Premium+ Purchase Date: July 10, 2026 Dealer: Woodfield Lexus Incident Date: July 12, 2026 Approximate Time: 11:30 AM Vehicle Mileage at Incident: Approximately 96 miles ⸻ Event Sequence 1. Vehicle Startup * I entered the vehicle and started the vehicle normally. * The vehicle was in Park (P) at startup. * My right foot was on the brake pedal, as required to start the vehicle. * The accelerator pedal was not intentionally pressed. 2. Immediate Vehicle Behavior After Startup * Immediately after startup, the vehicle produced an unusually loud powertrain noise similar to a motorcycle engine. * The vehicle unexpectedly moved forward with strong acceleration without my intended input. * The acceleration was sudden and unexpected. 3. Loss of Vehicle Control * The vehicle traveled uphill at high speed. * The event occurred so quickly that I did not have sufficient time to react or take corrective action. * The vehicle became difficult to control during this period. * The front wheels climbed up the hill first. 4. Impact With Tree Trunk * The vehicle continued uphill and shortly thereafter struck a tree trunk. * After the impact, the vehicle changed direction toward the right. * The vehicle continued moving at high speed after the impact. 5. Attempt to Stop Vehicle * After the vehicle changed direction and continued moving, I recognized the need to stop the vehicle before it reached a concrete structure with a Jewel-Osco sign. * I applied the brake pedal again. * At this point, the brake responded and the vehicle stopped. 6. Resulting Damage * The collision caused significant damage to the vehicle, including damage to the driver’s side. * No warning lights or dashboard alerts appeared during the event.

NHTSA ID 11750381 · filed Jul 14, 2026

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The panoramic sunroof shattered while the car was parked and there were no occupants. Lexus USA refuses to acknowledge this defect and the dealership insists there was an impact that caused this damage. There was no impact. I have asked the dealer for a written report of their determination of the point of impact and to return all broken glass to me. I do not know yet if they will comply with either request. As the car was parked, there were no immediate safety concerns, but due to the risk of additional glass falling onto the driver and passenger seats, the car was not in a drivable condition. Had this happened while driving, the sound of the shattering and the glass falling may well have resulted in a reaction from me causing immediate danger to myself and others on the road. UNKNOWN if problem has been reproduced, but this is not an isolated incident. Vehicle component had not been inspected by manufacturer, police , insurance reps or others. There was no warning or other symptoms of this problem.

NHTSA ID 11742805 · filed Jun 8, 2026

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Technical Incident Timeline Suspected Unintended Acceleration Event 2026 Lexus RX 350h Premium+ (Approximately 96 Miles) Vehicle: 2026 Lexus RX 350h Premium+ Purchase Date: July 10, 2026 Dealer: Woodfield Lexus Incident Date: July 12, 2026 Approximate Time: 11:30 AM Vehicle Mileage at Incident: Approximately 96 miles ⸻ Event Sequence 1. Vehicle Startup * I entered the vehicle and started the vehicle normally. * The vehicle was in Park (P) at startup. * My right foot was on the brake pedal, as required to start the vehicle. * The accelerator pedal was not intentionally pressed. 2. Immediate Vehicle Behavior After Startup * Immediately after startup, the vehicle produced an unusually loud powertrain noise similar to a motorcycle engine. * The vehicle unexpectedly moved forward with strong acceleration without my intended input. * The acceleration was sudden and unexpected. 3. Loss of Vehicle Control * The vehicle traveled uphill at high speed. * The event occurred so quickly that I did not have sufficient time to react or take corrective action. * The vehicle became difficult to control during this period. * The front wheels climbed up the hill first. 4. Impact With Tree Trunk * The vehicle continued uphill and shortly thereafter struck a tree trunk. * After the impact, the vehicle changed direction toward the right. * The vehicle continued moving at high speed after the impact. 5. Attempt to Stop Vehicle * After the vehicle changed direction and continued moving, I recognized the need to stop the vehicle before it reached a concrete structure with a Jewel-Osco sign. * I applied the brake pedal again. * At this point, the brake responded and the vehicle stopped. 6. Resulting Damage * The collision caused significant damage to the vehicle, including damage to the driver’s side. * No warning lights or dashboard alerts appeared during the event.

NHTSA ID 11750381 · filed Jul 14, 2026

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

Technical Incident Timeline Suspected Unintended Acceleration Event 2026 Lexus RX 350h Premium+ (Approximately 96 Miles) Vehicle: 2026 Lexus RX 350h Premium+ Purchase Date: July 10, 2026 Dealer: Woodfield Lexus Incident Date: July 12, 2026 Approximate Time: 11:30 AM Vehicle Mileage at Incident: Approximately 96 miles ⸻ Event Sequence 1. Vehicle Startup * I entered the vehicle and started the vehicle normally. * The vehicle was in Park (P) at startup. * My right foot was on the brake pedal, as required to start the vehicle. * The accelerator pedal was not intentionally pressed. 2. Immediate Vehicle Behavior After Startup * Immediately after startup, the vehicle produced an unusually loud powertrain noise similar to a motorcycle engine. * The vehicle unexpectedly moved forward with strong acceleration without my intended input. * The acceleration was sudden and unexpected. 3. Loss of Vehicle Control * The vehicle traveled uphill at high speed. * The event occurred so quickly that I did not have sufficient time to react or take corrective action. * The vehicle became difficult to control during this period. * The front wheels climbed up the hill first. 4. Impact With Tree Trunk * The vehicle continued uphill and shortly thereafter struck a tree trunk. * After the impact, the vehicle changed direction toward the right. * The vehicle continued moving at high speed after the impact. 5. Attempt to Stop Vehicle * After the vehicle changed direction and continued moving, I recognized the need to stop the vehicle before it reached a concrete structure with a Jewel-Osco sign. * I applied the brake pedal again. * At this point, the brake responded and the vehicle stopped. 6. Resulting Damage * The collision caused significant damage to the vehicle, including damage to the driver’s side. * No warning lights or dashboard alerts appeared during the event.

NHTSA ID 11750381 · filed Jul 14, 2026

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

First incident. 71 mph, 101 degrees out traveling along a straight highway, I hit the seat cooler button and when I did, my car lost power. I could not get any response when I hit the accelerator. I tried several times. This was on XXX with around 500 miles on the car in the odometer. I had it less than a week. Second incident on XXX 25 mph, 105 degrees outside with 1300 miles in the odometer, I again, lost power and was unable to accelerate. I was on a windy road that required the use of both hands on the wheel. With this incident I lost the AC in the cabin. I had to pull over both times and turn off my vehicle and turn back on. There were no lights, or warnings or beeps letting me know that my car was going to lose or lost power. I took the vehicle to Crown Lexus in Ontario, they had it for 7 days and they could not find anything wrong with it. When they ran a diagnostic on it, there were no codes other than they said I put the car in neutral while driving. Which did not happen. My husband was with me both times. I then had the car towed to Lexus of [XXX] and we went for a test drive, as they wanted to see how I drive to rule out human error and to see if the car would have another incident. It did not. They kept it overnight and could not find anything. The first dealer drove it about 70 miles and the second around 10 miles to diagnose. The green ready light was on the dash. As to what component failed? I am not sure other than I could not accelerate and the ac went out. My safety and my husbands, along with other drivers, was put at risk due to the fact my car was traveling at a high rate of speed and it just lost power. I could have been rear ended. I could have been on a road without a shoulder to move over to. This could have been a major catastrophe. The dealer(s) have been unable to reproduce the incidents. There has been no inspection other than at the dealer, and during both incidents, no warning lights, or beeps were seen or heard INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

NHTSA ID 11756092 · filed Aug 10, 2026

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 .