2015 Lexus RX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Lexus RX has 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: our car never had any issues, and unexpectedly on sunday october 10th while my husband was driving it - he heard a loud explosion underneath the car. immediately there was smoke and then in matter a minutes the car was in flames. my husband had enough time to remove our daughter and the car seat but. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

OTHER

5 complaints

19%

• Our car never had any issues, and unexpectedly on Sunday October 10th while my husband was driving it - he heard a loud explosion underneath the car. Immediately there was smoke and then in matter a minutes the car was in flames. My husband had enough time to remove our daughter and the car seat but
• Heat appears to come from under the passenger side floor boards.
• Sun Roof shattered while driving, a potentially dangerous situation.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“Our car never had any issues, and unexpectedly on Sunday October 10th while my husband was driving it - he heard a loud explosion underneath the car. Immediately there was smoke and then in matter a minutes the car was in flames. My husband had enough time to remove our daughter and the car seat but”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

5 complaints

19%

• While driving car came to an abrupt stop and stalled. (ABS) Had to engage brake to restart car. Noticed abnormal shifting while driving in NC mountains.
• Safety concern: Engine timing cover oil leak. blind spot warning malfunction.
• It has the same engine failure problem as the recall for 2022 and 2023 vehicles. The engine just stalls when it wants with no check engine light or error codes. Then restarts just fine when put in park. Lexus repair could not even find a issue. Have documents to prove it.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“While driving car came to an abrupt stop and stalled. (ABS) Had to engage brake to restart car. Noticed abnormal shifting while driving in NC mountains.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

4 complaints

15%

• HELLO , the steering has excess freeplay ,wanders at most speeds , unsafe condition , have tried 3 sets of tires - and 2 alignment check --- help
• The contact owns a 2015 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while driving over bumps on the roadway, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact would lose slight control of the vehicle while turning the steering whe
• 2015 Lexus RX450H with less than 60,000 miles Electronic Power Steering Motor needs repair or replacement. The Electronic Steering Motor has an internal 3 piece star-shaped green plastic gear in between two metal pieces used as a bushing/damper. That green plastic gear has become dry, hard, dehyd

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“HELLO , the steering has excess freeplay ,wanders at most speeds , unsafe condition , have tried 3 sets of tires - and 2 alignment check --- help”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

4 complaints

15%

• While driving car came to an abrupt stop and stalled. (ABS) Had to engage brake to restart car. Noticed abnormal shifting while driving in NC mountains.
• Safety concern: Engine timing cover oil leak. blind spot warning malfunction.
• First, We are a victim of fraud and scam and are distressed since day one and loss of thousands of dollars. After searching and reviews, we bought a 2015 Lexus RX350 for family use from a seller who had owned this vehicle for over five years but the seller never disclosed and represented in the sal

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“While driving car came to an abrupt stop and stalled. (ABS) Had to engage brake to restart car. Noticed abnormal shifting while driving in NC mountains.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

11%

• Safety concern: Engine timing cover oil leak. blind spot warning malfunction.
• I purchased this vehicle on January 5, 2026, from a family-owned dealership in Broken Arrow, OK. The vehicle was purchased “as-is” with a guarantee of sale and a Carfax report. After purchasing the vehicle, I drove it home and it remained parked until January 8, 2026. On Thursday, January 8, 2026, t
• Transfer case spontaneously fractured,mounting point on transmission broke. Unable to drive Repair cost approximately $13,000

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Safety concern: Engine timing cover oil leak. blind spot warning malfunction.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 27 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: Our car never had any issues, and unexpectedly on Sunday October 10th while my husband was driving it - he heard a loud explosion underneath the car. Immediately there was smoke and then in matter a minutes the car was in flames. My husband had enough time to remove our daughter and the car seat but
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: While driving car came to an abrupt stop and stalled. (ABS) Had to engage brake to restart car. Noticed abnormal shifting while driving in NC mountains.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: HELLO , the steering has excess freeplay ,wanders at most speeds , unsafe condition , have tried 3 sets of tires - and 2 alignment check --- help
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: While driving car came to an abrupt stop and stalled. (ABS) Had to engage brake to restart car. Noticed abnormal shifting while driving in NC mountains.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)