Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Lexus RX VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 31 NHTSA recall campaigns for 1999–2026 cover that year.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Lexus has sold the RX in the US since the 1999 model year, and there have been five generations. The XU10 came first (1999–2003); XU30 (2004–2009), AL10 (2010–2015), AL20 (2016–2022) followed, and the AL30 took over for 2023–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 31 vehicle recall campaigns and 3,397 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the XU30. Its 2004 and 2007 model years alone account for 616 of them, with owners bringing up brakes most often and structure and body after that. EPA rates the XU10 at 18–19 mpg combined, while the AL30, whose lineup includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, gets 24–36 mpg, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
Five generations since the 1999 model year. The XU30 (2004–2009) has the most owner complaints, the AL20 (2016–2022) the most recall campaigns (9).
Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mentions in 818 NHTSA complaints.
JT6HF10U?X0······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1999 Lexus RX 300, built in JapanMentions in 1,448 NHTSA complaints.
JTJHW31U?60······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2006 Lexus RX 400h, built in Miyawaka, FukuokaMentions in 499 NHTSA complaints.
2T2BK1BA?AC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2010 Lexus RX 350, built in Cambridge, OntarioMentions in 476 NHTSA complaints.
2T2BZMCA?HC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2017 Lexus RX 350, built in Cambridge, OntarioMentions in 156 NHTSA complaints.
2T2BBMCA?RC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2024 Lexus RX 350H, built in Cambridge, OntarioNHTSA has 31 campaigns on file for RX model years 1999–2026, and the 2004 and 2006 show up in the most (6 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Complaints peak with the 2004 (327 of 3,397). Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 156 complaints, 2023–2026.
Its first model year, the 2023, drew more complaints than any other (67 of 156). Owners across the generation name electrical system most often (43 mentions), then engine and cooling (22).
Mentions in 476 complaints, 2016–2022.
Of the seven AL20 model years, the 2017 (103) and 2016 (93) drew the most complaints. Owners across the generation name air bags most often (95 mentions), then fuel system (71).
Mentions in 499 complaints, 2010–2015.
The 2010 stands out. On its own it has 192 of the AL10’s 499 complaints (38%), and owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (97 mentions), then speed control / acceleration (89). Fires come up in 20 AL10 complaints, or 4.0% against 1.5% for all RX model years, which is the highest rate of any generation.
Mentions in 1,448 complaints, 2004–2009.
By area, nothing stands out. Brakes lead with 226, with structure and body (210) and engine and cooling (169) close behind. Complaints peak with the 2004, its first model year, at 327 of 1,448.
Mentions in 818 complaints, 1999–2003.
Powertrain owns this generation. Its 514 mentions are more than twice the next area, engine and cooling (92). Its first model year, the 1999, drew more complaints than any other (256 of 818).
Owner data is thin, with fewer than 70 exact-model NHTSA complaints in any year and around 10 CarComplaints reports per year. CarComplaints owners of the 2016 mention rough shifting and a sunroof that shattered, and 2017 reports include engine shudder and a brake pressure low warning. NHTSA owners of the 2017 describe brake actuator noise and a brake pedal that will not press down after the car sits. Recalls cover air bag sensors on some 2016 models that may fail and low pressure fuel pumps on some 2017 and 2019 models. [1] [2] [3]
The 2010 draws the most complaints, and many NHTSA owners describe sudden unintended acceleration, often while parking. A recall covers 2010 models whose accelerator pedal can be trapped by an unsecured or incompatible floor mat. CarComplaints data is thin, with 2010 owners mentioning A/C and heater faults and door rattles. Other recalls cover ABS actuators on 2012–2013 models that may turn on stability and ABS warning lights and a fuel delivery pipe on some 2015 models that may leak. [4] [5]
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 29, 2026.
Hybrid and plug-in RX versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 19 · fires 10 · injuries 17
Crashes 17 · fires 0 · injuries 16
Crashes 15 · fires 2 · injuries 14
Crashes 21 · fires 1 · injuries 16
Crashes 6 · fires 0 · injuries 5
Crashes 38 · fires 2 · injuries 28 · complaints reporting a death 3
Crashes 17 · fires 2 · injuries 10
Crashes 20 · fires 2 · injuries 10
Crashes 28 · fires 2 · injuries 16
Crashes 34 · fires 6 · injuries 21
Crashes 8 · fires 1 · injuries 3
Crashes 36 · fires 7 · injuries 18 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 22 · fires 4 · injuries 13
Crashes 11 · fires 2 · injuries 13
Crashes 15 · fires 4 · injuries 16 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 9 · fires 0 · injuries 6 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 9 · fires 3 · injuries 6
Crashes 14 · fires 1 · injuries 7
Crashes 22 · fires 0 · injuries 10 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 6 · fires 0 · injuries 4
Crashes 11 · fires 0 · injuries 3
Crashes 7 · fires 0 · injuries 4
Crashes 9 · fires 0 · injuries 9
Crashes 6 · fires 2 · injuries 5
Crashes 5 · fires 0 · injuries 5
Crashes 1 · fires 1 · injuries 6
Crashes 5 · fires 0 · injuries 2
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 121 RX versions for model years 1999–2026 (gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 89 g/mi, for the 2025 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
18–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–494 g/mi
18–27 mpg · CO₂ 329–494 g/mi
20–30 mpg · CO₂ 296–446 g/mi
21–30 mpg · CO₂ 297–432 g/mi
24–36 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 83 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 89–371 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2010–2015. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the RX, against 11 for the Acura MDX and 36 for the BMW X5. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2010–2015
Model years 2010–2015
Model years 2010–2015
Model years 2016–2022
Model years 2016–2022
Model years 2016–2022
Model years 2023–2026
Model years 2023–2026
Model years 2023–2026
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
Locate the RX's VIN on the plate at the lower driver's side windshield. The door jamb sticker, B-pillar label, and a sticker near the cargo area are secondary locations. The AL30 generation starts with the 2023 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (P for 2023) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The 2004 leads with 327, ahead of the 2007 (289) and 1999 (256). Those first two alone make up 18% of the 3,397 RX complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 31 vehicle campaigns for model years 1999–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, AL20 leads with 9. Then come the XU30 (8), AL30 (8), AL10 (4) and XU10 (2), and a campaign can span two generations.
NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 14V-576 and 21V-043. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
By US model year, the XU10 is 1999–2003 and the XU30 2004–2009. AL10 spans 2010–2015, AL20 2016–2022 and AL30 2023–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (P is 2023).
It varies. EPA rates the 2023–2026 AL30 at 24–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (83 MPGe on gas and electricity), up from 18–19 mpg for the 1999–2003 XU10 (fueleconomy.gov).
For 2023–2026 models the RX has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Acura MDX has 4, the BMW X5 15. Complaints run 156, 200 and 264 in that order, with no sales adjustment.