This page covers 3 recalls, 46 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2017 Lexus Rx350.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2017 Lexus RX350 centers on the fuel and propulsion system and the powertrain. Owners most frequently describe hesitation or stumbling when pressing the accelerator, both from a stop and while driving at speed, in some cases traced to vacuum pump issues or fuel system faults. Engine knocking on cold starts is also reported across multiple complaints, typically described as louder during gear shifts and fading once the engine warms up. Brake complaints involve a notably firm pedal feel that owners say reduces stopping confidence. A smaller cluster of reports describes strong chemical odors entering the cabin through the ventilation system. Sunroof shattering without any apparent impact appears in at least one report but does not represent a recurring pattern in this complaint set.
46
Total Complaints
12
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Lexus RX350 has 3 recalls, the most serious being a fuel pump that can fail while driving, cutting engine power without warning and raising the risk of a crash.
The fuel pump concern spans a large number of Toyota and Lexus vehicles built across several model years; prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why more than one recall campaign exists for the same underlying defect. When the pump fails, the engine stalls and the vehicle loses power in traffic, leaving the driver with no throttle response. The third recall involves the brake booster vacuum pump, where a machining error in the rotor's oil passage can cause a sudden loss of power-assisted braking. When brake assist drops without warning, the pedal becomes significantly harder to press and stopping distances increase sharply, particularly at highway speeds or in emergency situations.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved version at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially affecting fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The oil passage in the brake booster vacuum pump rotor may have been improperly machined during manufacturing, which could cause sudden loss of brake assist.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
