2009 Lexus RX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
157 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2009 Lexus RX, alongside 0 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 29/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 56,222 miles.
Typical
Where 2009 sits among all RX years
What owners report
“My dealer just told me that the steering rack kit leakingand needs to be replaced immediately. This common problem in lexus,if there is a problem with this, lexus should be paying for it, not me. The quote is for $1315”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 RX
“The oil cooler line is made from rubber and failed. This failure led to the loss of all engine oil and can cause catastrophic engine damage. This happened while car was in motion on a city street.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 RX
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 113 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 61,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 32,500 and 94,000 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 2009 Lexus RX.
Technical service bulletins
191 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and body & structure — are on file for the 2009 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 2009 Lexus RX reliable?
The 2009 Lexus RX drew 157 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 29/100, scored against the model's worst year (2004).
What are the most common 2009 Lexus RX problems?
The top reported problems for the 2009 Lexus RX are steering (33 complaints), engine (26), and body & structure (19).
At what mileage do 2009 Lexus RX problems show up?
Owners most often report 2009 Lexus RX problems around 61,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 32,500 and 94,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Lexus RX have recalls?
No recall campaigns are on file for the 2009 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.