2nd generation (RX 330 / RX 400h / RX 350) · XU30 · 357 complaints, 198 with mileage
Owners filed 357 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2009 Lexus Rx, and 198 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
48% of failures occur beyond 100,000 miles — a wear pattern. The car generally reaches substantial mileage before trouble starts.
The most-reported areas are problems owners could not categorise (13.4% of complaints, typically around 97,000 miles), the engine (11.8% of complaints, typically around 117,500 miles), the brakes (10.9% of complaints, typically around 145,500 miles).
1 recall campaign cover this generation.
| System | Complaints | Share | Typical mileage | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 48 | 13.4% | 97,000 | 52,000–140,000 |
| Engine | 42 | 11.8% | 117,500 | 103,000–140,000 |
| Service Brakes | 39 | 10.9% | 145,500 | 100,000–180,000 |
| Structure | 38 | 10.6% | 65,000 | 46,000–92,000 |
| Electrical System | 30 | 8.4% | 160,691 | 65,000–211,000 |
| Air Bags | 28 | 7.8% | 118,000 | 75,000–180,000 |
| Steering | 22 | 6.2% | 65,424 | 41,000–86,422 |
| Power Train | 20 | 5.6% | 39,250 | 1,400–136,000 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 | 3.9% | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | 3.4% | — | — |
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 56 | 35 |
| 2005 | 39 | 25 |
| 2006 | 52 | 19 |
| 2007 | 79 | 46 |
| 2008 | 89 | 46 |
| 2009 | 42 | 27 |
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 92,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 13.4% of complaints (48 reports, 21 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 97,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 52,000 and 140,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 11.8% of complaints (42 reports, 28 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 117,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 103,000 and 140,000 miles.
The brakes account for 10.9% of complaints (39 reports, 18 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 145,500 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 100,000 and 180,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 10.6% of complaints (38 reports, 24 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 92,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.4% of complaints (30 reports, 13 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 160,691 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 65,000 and 211,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 7.8% of complaints (28 reports, 17 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 118,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 75,000 and 180,000 miles.
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2008 model year drew the most — 89 complaints — while 2005 drew the fewest at 39. The median year sits at 54.
NHTSA records 1 recall campaign covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Of the 357 complaints filed against this generation, 12 reported a crash; 11 reported a fire; 8 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 3.4% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
For a buyer, a late-failure pattern shifts the question from whether to when. 48% of reported failures occur beyond 100,000 miles, so an example approaching that figure is approaching the range where other owners started reporting problems. The middle half of all failures falls between 52,345 and 140,000 miles.
On inspection, problems owners could not categorise and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 97,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
The rubber section of the VVT-i actuator oil supply hose degrades and ruptures, causing rapid oil loss, abnormal engine noise, oil pressure warning and cam timing codes (e.g. P0024) that can end in engine failure. Lexus ran a Limited Service Campaign replacing the hose with an all-metal part, covering roughly 374,000 vehicles including MY2007-2009 RX 350.
Dashboards crack and turn sticky/shiny/melted under heat and humidity. Lexus ran a Warranty Enhancement Program (ZLD) covering MY2004-2006 RX 330 and MY2007-2009 RX 350, with reimbursement for prior out-of-pocket replacements of roughly $1,500.
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 10V499000 | 2010-11-15 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder |