Most common 2009 Lexus RX problems
Share of the 34 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus RX complaints by model year
Best RX years: 2012, 2013, 2014. Years to avoid: 2023, 2024, 2021, 2022, 2025. Compare all years →
What 2009 Lexus RX owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2009 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment with the check engine oil warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the oil cooler hose was leaking due to a hole. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the oil cooler hose was leaking due to a hole. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was contacted and informed that there was no recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The contact owns a 2009 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to crack, causing the dashboard to become sticky. Over time, there was a glare coming from the dashboard which obstruct the contact's vision while driving. The contact stated that there was condensation in the headlight housings. In addition, there was a puddle of oil was discovered leaking from the vehicle while parked in a parking garage. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the engine oil cooler pipe was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that each of the failures had been covered under warranty; however, the warranties had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The engine cooler hose had been replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Steering
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.
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.
Air bags
The dashboard in my car has been sticky and cracked for years. This became a safety issue and liability by posing a real risk in relation to airbags. One area of concern is the cracks will interfere with the deployment of the airbag. Either by triggering the airbag warning light or snagging the airbag on its way out. That puts my safety and safety of others at risk. This problem - cracked and sticky dashboards, has been confirmed by a dealer and warranty replacement program was available for short time back in 2018. The company had to notify it's customers but I did not get any letters, emails or calls. Therefore I did not know about that warranty repair and missed it. The vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic and safety concerns were raised. The airbags warning lights first started to appear on and off about 2 years ago. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Lexus RX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, she unexpectedly swerved off the road and crashed into a guard rail. The driver's side air bag that was mounted inside of the steering wheel failed to deploy. The contact sustained bruises to the chest and neck area. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
2009 Lexus RX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Lexus RX a good car?
Based on 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 RX rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the RX at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Lexus RX?
The engine & cooling — 11 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (5) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2009 Lexus RX have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Lexus RX. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus RX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2024, 2021, 2022 and 2025. See the full Lexus RX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Lexus RX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 23% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.