2020 Lexus RX: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the airbags, electrical, and wheels and tires. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020- Owner complaints
- 130
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes reported
- 16
- 12 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Lexus RX: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/1
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which RX is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Lexus RX. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cylGas | AWD, FWD | 22–23 mpg |
| 3.5L 6-cylHybrid | AWD | 30 mpg |
- The 2020 Lexus RX was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A RX that averages well under the EPA 22 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Original tires shedding tread chunks
24,000–37,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Lexus RX, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Airbags202 crashes
An open passenger air bag recall with no repair part available makes up most of these reports. Dealers and the manufacturer confirm the part for campaign 23V865000 is not yet available. Notices went out in December 2023, and owners describe years of waiting without a remedy date. Some no longer carry a front-seat passenger. None of the recall filers report an actual air bag failure. Two crash-related reports describe heavy rear-end impacts with no air bag deployment, and occupants were treated for whiplash and cuts.
Electrical42 crashes
Two crash reports describe sudden acceleration at low speed. In one, the car coasts at about 5 MPH and then lunges to about 25 MPH. In the other, it surges during a 10 MPH turn. Together they list three injuries, including wrist and hand fractures. One of these cars ran rough, stalled, and lunged after the Denso fuel pump recall repair. On a hybrid, warnings for a hybrid malfunction and an emergency stop came with a burning smell, and the filter box and nearby cables had burned. Another report says the car shuts off while driving.
Wheels and tires4No crashes
The original Michelin Premier LTX 235/55R20 tires wear out early. Tread comes off in layers and chunks while plenty of depth remains. Reports put onset between 24,000 and 37,000 miles, and some sets were flagged in under 2 years. Owners feel a vibration that seems like a balance problem and notice slight air loss, with no warning lights. In one case the vibration came with a failed front strut. Dealers say they have seen this on the same vehicle and tire, but they recommend replacement at the owner's expense. No recall covers it.
Fuel system4No crashes
The engine shakes, loses power, or hesitates as if stalling, with no warning light. Reports describe shaking at about 25 MPH on a slight grade and a recurring power loss at 55 MPH with an abnormal engine sound. One dealer's advice was to use premium gasoline. The other reports involve open fuel pump recalls, campaigns 20V012000 and 20V682000, where the repair part was not available. A manufacturer letter in one case promises fuel pump replacement for a failure within 10 years.
Acceleration and cruise control22 crashes
In both reports here, the vehicle surges forward unexpectedly at parking speed and crashes. One happens while coasting slowly into a garage, and automatic braking can be heard engaging. The other happens in a parking lot with the brake pressed, and the car ends up in a restaurant. No warning lights come on and neither report lists injuries. Neither filing includes a confirmed cause. In one case the dealer skipped diagnostic testing because of the fee.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints RX owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
I have reached out to my dealer over the past 5 yrs and Corporate as well about the recall on my 2020 Lexus RX 350. I have since paid the car off and feel the remedy has fell on death ears. The last two services I inquired about a fix, Sterling McCall lexus in Clear Lake texas never responded back to me. I need some kind of resolution to this recall. Vehicle has 31K miles on it and the only place I can trade it in is Lexas.
The contact owns a 2020 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Original Equipment in Lexus RX 350; Michelin Premier LTX 235/55/20 at less than 2 years and 14, 00 miles run advised by the manufacturer to replace for a new one because premature tire deterioration with risk of impending tire rupture. Advised that they have seen a situation is occurring in the same vehicle and these specific tires. Yet no recall and the replacement at the owner's expense. Same situation in the 4 tires.
How the 2020 compares with other RX years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks third for owner complaints among 8 RX years, about 1.5 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Airbags208
- Electrical47
- Wheels and tires41
- Fuel system45
- Acceleration and cruise control21
Where the 2020 fits in the RX's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the fifth model year of the RX's fourth generation (2016–2022).
It includes the 2019 update.
What changed for 2019
- Upgraded Lexus Safety System+
- New interior technology including larger touchscreen
Recalls to confirm (2)
Recall repairs are free at any Lexus dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
20V682000Fuel system
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
23V865000Airbags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Also looking at these instead of a RX?
Cars shoppers compare with the Lexus RX, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
- Cadillac XT519
- BMW X381
- Lincoln Aviator99
- 2020 Lexus RX130
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport138
- Mercedes-Benz GLC143
- Acura MDX188
