Most common 2009 Lexus RX350 problems
Share of the 97 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus RX350 complaints by model year
Best RX350 years: 2020, 2014, 2022. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2009. Compare all years →
What 2009 Lexus RX350 owners say
Steering all 28 →
My car never leaked oil, and no sensor lights were on. Regular maintenance was performed on the car. While I was driving on the freeway on cruise control about 70 MPH (2,000 RPM) engine suddenly revved up to 3,000-3,500 RPM. I was able to exit the highway within 0.25 miles, the oil pressure sensor came on at the end of the exit ramp. I drove approximately 100 yards away from the exit ramp to reach a side street and by then the car was barely moving, it was very difficult to turn the steering wheel, and several other sensor lights were also on. I had the car towed to a service garage that told me the oil coolant lines had leaked causing the low pressure condition in the engine. …
I took my RX350 for regular service and asked for the steering to be checked since it made noise and did not feel secure when making hard or sharp turns and when parking in tight spots. I was informed that my rack & pinion assembly was leaking power steering fluid and it could be hazardous if not addressed. It needed to be replaced. The Lexus estimate was $2000! Given the age, I had less than 80K mostly local and highway miles on the SUV. When I researched cost estimates I found that this was a common occurrence. I believe Lexus should accept responsibility and recall these vehicles and reimburse the owners who had to pay out of pocket! After I saved up to pay for the repair the cost was $2058.11!
Body & structure
The contact owns a 2009 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that a crack had formed on the dashboard extending horizontally from the driver's side instrument panel to the passenger's side air bag housing. The contact also stated that the dashboard was sticky and appeared to be melting. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and was insured that the dashboard would not affect any safety features in the vehicle. The manufacturer had also been notified of the failure and was informed that an extended warranty had been placed on the vehicle however, the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The contact mentioned concerns about whether or not the airbags would deploy on their own without an accident because of the crack.
The contact owns a 2009 Lexus RX350. The contact stated she notice a crack across the dashboard near the airbag on the passenger's side that had started to expand. The contact notified the dealer and was informed that there was nothing they could do to assist because the recall had already expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Engine & cooling
T-sb-0201-11 from Toyota/Lexus states "some vehicles equipped with 2gr-fe/fxe towing package engines May exhibit an oil seep from the engine oil cooler pipes." this TSB affects Toyota and Lexus vehicles going back to at least 2008-present. This is a major issue, and I feel this should be handled as a recall instead of a TSB due to the severity of the issue if/when the pipe breaks. I recently elected to have my vehicle repaired on my own just so I wouldn't have to worry about this issue happening to me or my wife, and thus blowing up my Lexus rx 350's engine causing thousands of dollars in damages. Seems pretty bad that a recall can be issued for floor mats and accelerator issues, but no recall is issued for this issue which can drain the oil from your engine in a minute, blow up your engine, and then possibly wreck your vehicle. …
My car never leaked oil, and no sensor lights were on. Regular maintenance was performed on the car. While I was driving on the freeway on cruise control about 70 MPH (2,000 RPM) engine suddenly revved up to 3,000-3,500 RPM. I was able to exit the highway within 0.25 miles, the oil pressure sensor came on at the end of the exit ramp. I drove approximately 100 yards away from the exit ramp to reach a side street and by then the car was barely moving, it was very difficult to turn the steering wheel, and several other sensor lights were also on. I had the car towed to a service garage that told me the oil coolant lines had leaked causing the low pressure condition in the engine. …
2009 Lexus RX350 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 RX350 a good car?
Based on 97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 RX350 rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the RX350 at the same age. It is one of the RX350 years we suggest avoiding. 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 RX350?
The steering — 28 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (17) and engine & cooling (15).
How many recalls does the 2009 Lexus RX350 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Lexus RX350. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus RX350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2014 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2009. See the full Lexus RX350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Lexus RX350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 55,000 miles; 41% 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.