2001 Lexus RX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
214 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2001 Lexus RX, alongside 0 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 47/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 110,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2001 sits among all RX years
What owners report
“Takata recall - transmission failed. Had to replace the transmission at 140,423 miles. There was metal in the transmission. Cost to replace the transmission was $2,875.10”— owner report to NHTSA, 2001 RX
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 187 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 105,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 84,250 and 130,588 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls
No recall campaigns on file for the 2001 Lexus RX.
Technical service bulletins
74 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and body & structure — are on file for the 2001 Lexus RX. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2001 Lexus RX reliable?
The 2001 Lexus RX drew 214 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 47/100, scored against the model's worst year (2004).
What are the most common 2001 Lexus RX problems?
The top reported problems for the 2001 Lexus RX are transmission & drivetrain (137 complaints), speed control (21), and engine (19).
At what mileage do 2001 Lexus RX problems show up?
Owners most often report 2001 Lexus RX problems around 105,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 84,250 and 130,588 miles.
Does the 2001 Lexus RX have recalls?
No recall campaigns are on file for the 2001 Lexus RX. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check the VIN before buying.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.