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2009 Lexus Rx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Lexus Rx do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
34Owner complaints

Model-year median: 29

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2009 Lexus Rx

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 34 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Unknown Or Other: 10 reports
  • Engine: 9 reports
  • Steering: 5 reports
  • Air Bags: 3 reports
  • Electrical System: 3 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    32
    2006    58
    2007    70
    2008    34
    2009    76
    2010    29
    2011    12
    2012
    Compare all Rx years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Unknown Or Other
    10    Engine
    9    Steering
    5    Air Bags
    3    Electrical System
    3
    All reported categories
    Engine And Engine Cooling
    2    Structure
    2    Tires
    2    Vehicle Speed Control
    2    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Power Train
    1    Seats
    1    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    22 reports with mileage · 12 unknown

    NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

    What to inspect

    Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

    • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

    Steering complaints

    5 reports
    Clear category filter
    5 miles · Apr 4, 2021
    SteeringUnknown Or Other

    MECHANIC/CAR INSPECTOR FOUND LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING AND RACK AND PINION FAULTY, NEEDING REPLACEMENT RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WHEN I TOOK CAR FOR MARYLAND INSPECTION. IT FAILED. CAR PURCHASED AT DULLES MOTORCARS/ KIA SUBARU IN LEESBURG, VIRGINIA WITH 56,000 MILES. COST OF REPAIR IS $1800.00. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRO…

    Read full complaint

    MECHANIC/CAR INSPECTOR FOUND LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING AND RACK AND PINION FAULTY, NEEDING REPLACEMENT RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WHEN I TOOK CAR FOR MARYLAND INSPECTION. IT FAILED. CAR PURCHASED AT DULLES MOTORCARS/ KIA SUBARU IN LEESBURG, VIRGINIA WITH 56,000 MILES. COST OF REPAIR IS $1800.00. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, HOWEVER FAILED INSPECTION. CAR WAS BOUGHT ON $/1/2021 AND INSPECTION ON 4/2/2021.

    NHTSA ODI #11406335

    Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2019
    Steering

    MY 2009 LEXUS RX350 HAS 84000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING OIL. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND CAREFULLY DRIVEN SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW SO IT IS A SURPRISE. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, IT TURNS OUT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE V…

    Read full complaint

    MY 2009 LEXUS RX350 HAS 84000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING OIL. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND CAREFULLY DRIVEN SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW SO IT IS A SURPRISE. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, IT TURNS OUT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE VOICED THEIR CONCERN WHILE LEXUS HAS NOT RECALLED THIS 2009 MODEL AS THEY HAVE DONE FOR 2008.

    NHTSA ODI #11258677

    Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2017
    Steering

    INSPECTION AT LEXUS DEALER REVEALED LEAKS AND TORN BOOT ON STEERING RACK AND PINION. DEALER SAID REPAIR NOT POSSIBLE.MUST REPLACE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY.58,000 GENTLE MILES.

    NHTSA ODI #11020688

    59,100 miles · Sep 30, 2014
    Steering

    I TOOK CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICING AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS A POWER STEERING LEAK AND THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE LEXUS RX 350. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10640155

    60,000 miles · Jun 21, 2014
    Steering

    I TOOK MY LEXUS RX350 TO MY TIRE SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES. UPON, INSPECTION OF STEERING RACK THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED RACK AND PINION RIGHT BOOT WAS WET WITH POWER STEERING FLUID. THE SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS AND LEXUS ALL MY LIFE AND NEVER HAVE STEERING RACK ISSUES B…

    Read full complaint

    I TOOK MY LEXUS RX350 TO MY TIRE SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES. UPON, INSPECTION OF STEERING RACK THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED RACK AND PINION RIGHT BOOT WAS WET WITH POWER STEERING FLUID. THE SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS AND LEXUS ALL MY LIFE AND NEVER HAVE STEERING RACK ISSUES BEFORE. ESPECIALLY AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH LEXUS OF NOT RECALLING THIS STEERING RACK ISSUE. IF LEXUS FAILED TO REPLACE MY STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AND LEXUS AGAIN. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10604969

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.