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The 2020 Lexus RX is designed to be a high-end vehicle that should impress users. The automaker claims the newer models are “The leading luxury SUV. Now even more refined.” However, the same problems exist with this model as the older ones, including a faulty electrical system, defective powertrain and dangerous fuel system.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Lexus RX
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| Tires | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Structure |
Problems with the Electrical System
If the electrical system isn’t working, customers are going to complain because this system runs just about everything.
Here’s an example from an Edmunds review. “Very sad overall experience and the customer service from Lexus IS absolutely insulting and feels their vehicle could never be a lemon. I’ve been locked out of the vehicle numerous times when doors won’t open, the infotainment system is pathetic. The app to control this from your phone is so fickle, it’s pathetic. The navigation system typically takes you to a destination nowhere near where you set it for and only finds the longest, most challenging routes imaginable. The climate control for the summer never cools the car no matter how low the temperature is set or how long it is on. In the winter, the heat can overwhelm you. Even at 62, the vehicle is stifling on a 10 degree Fahrenheit day. Moisture sensing wipers, they come on constantly on sunny days and never turn on when it’s raining. Seven returns to Lexus in six weeks and they find nothing wrong. Their Customer Relations team tells me it’s the driver and not the car. Let me go back to my Benz and Jaguar, even my twenty year old Infiniti was better than this. Very sorry to have made this acquisition. Believe me, I could go on about the negative, but enough said.”
It seems that every system on the Lexus SUV is suffering, even the Enform Remote. Service Bulletin #L-TT-0279-20 shows that the system becomes inoperative after giving it commands. It’s so bad that the dealers are replacing the system entirely. Where is this “refinement” that Lexus is talking about?
Problems with the Powertrain
Additionally, the powertrain is causing some major issues. However, this is a basic system that should be reliable and dependable.
Here’s another Edmunds review. “The transmission in mine hesitates when rolling into the throttle, shudders when the torque converter looks up, will refuse to downshift in eco/mode and the transmission/engine wine, will lock up in gears in sport mode, up shifts to fast and then has to down shift right away. Tuning with cruise control, the vehicle surges down the road when using cruise. It hunts for gears when going up hills instead of holding a downshift, one long hill it shifted 9 times.”
Performance concerns are just the start. Service Bulletin #L-SB-0002-20 Rev shows that there is also transmission fluid leaking and seeping out of the system. This isn’t just dangerous but also leads to damage of the most expensive car parts. At this point, the Lexus SUV can only be labeled the most “refined” lemon.
Problems with the Fuel System
A final look leads to the fuel system, which has been plagued with problems for years.
One NHTSA complaint reads, “The contact owns a 2020 Lexus RX350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 20V012000 (Fuel System, Gasoline)” however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. [Dealer] was contacted by phone. However, the contact was unable to reach a representative. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.”
Not only have earlier RX models been part of a class action lawsuit because of the fuel system, but this model is now part of a massive recall affecting more than 1.5 million vehicles. The recall states that he low-pressure fuel pump is failing in many models. If this occurs while driving, the SUV can stall. There’s nothing safe about a stalling vehicle in the middle rush hour traffic. It appears that Lexus needs to do a little more refinement of the vehicles, or start selling them as Toyotas for a lot less.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Lexus pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Electrical System, Engine, Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Feb 18, 2023 |
| State | FL |
| Description | Contact states they were sitting in drive, with their foot on the brake. When the contact took their foot off the brake, they began to let the vehicle coast to about 5 mph. Then, the vehicle lunged forward unexpectedly to about 25 mph, when it collided with a rock. The vehicle had previously spent over 10 days in different dealerships to diagnose issues related to the engine running rough, the car stalling out, and the vehicle driving erratically and lunging forward. The contact only began to have issues with the vehicle after the nhtsa denso fuel pump recall. A year after the contact took delivery of the vehicle, the remedy was done. The dealership stated they had completed the remedy properly, but because of parts shortages they only modified the fuel pump, but that tmna said this is a valid remedy. After further investigation, the remedy protocol which they followed did not match the one the manufacturer assured nhtsa they would follow, and there was no amended nhtsa remedy. Then, the manufacturer denied they told the dealership that the protocol they followed was a valid remedy. About 10 minutes after leaving the dealership the contact returned and stated the vehicle was running rough and driving erratically. The dealership told the contact that it was completely normal and that the vehicle just needs to re-learn their driving style. The contact had issues with the vehicle, including the illumination of warning lights, and the dealership cannot remedy the issue (refusing to replace/repair the fuel pump). |
| Category | Structure, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jan 30, 2023 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | 2020 lexus rx350. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for repairs made to vehicle. The consumer stated there is water intrusion into the floor passenger floor area of the vehicle. The dealership indicated repair work required was due to an external influence and insect(spider) forming a nest in the air conditioning condensation drain line. |
| Category | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| Date | Sep 02, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 lexus rx350. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle felt as if it was losing motive power and stalling. The contact depressed the accelerator however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after driving for less than a mile, the vehicle started operating normally. The contact stated that the engine failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the contact needed to use premium gasoline and not regular. The contact stated that he made the switch however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to nhtsa campaign number: 20v682000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000. |
| Category | Tires |
| Date | Jul 07, 2022 |
| State | TX |
| Description | 235/55r20 102v michelin premier ltx, premature wear, tires falling apart in layers & chunks, caused premature failure of front left strut on lexus rx350. Started at 24,000 miles. Tires create an oscillation, causing you to think a tire balance issue, no alignment issue in the onset of problem. Tire tread not wearing but appears to be melting and becoming brittle. Road weight balanced and numbers varied per location of tire original tire driver front read 14-15 pushing to close to the 20 number and giving perspective of internal or manufacturer defects or construction issue. My vehicle has been back to the lexus maintenance shop for tire balance check, test drives, discovered left front strut was failing & replaced, alignment checked, tires checked again, then again at the shop days apart due to oscillation feeling continuing, tires road force balanced, test drive & again taken back with information of gmc bulletin for tire premature wear with an nhtsa. I've tracked complaints of premature wear/material failure issues from videos/reports online as well. This is a 60,000 mile tire/warranty failing at 20-25,000 miles. The tire problems only lead me to believe this could be another firestone situation if left unchecked. It'll impact vehicle owners & dealerships: repair & research time, money, premature vehicle component wear & repairs for allowing defective products to be allowed on us roads. Definitely not needed at this time of inflation & limited supply of replacement parts & tire products. I did contact michelin customer service to file complaint/claim (#02983306) and informed the representative that this had been an issue for the month of june & didn't feel it safe to have these tires on the road and also don't want any further premature wear/failure of components to my vehicle or endanger myself or loved ones. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Jun 01, 2022 |
| State | MD |
| Description | The contact owned a 2020 lexus rx350. The contact stated that while making a left turn into a parking lot at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own and crashed into the side of a walmart shopping store. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact and her sister were both taken by ambulance to two separate hospitals. The contact was treated for fractures to her right hand and wrist; screws were placed in her right wrist and another was placed in between her index and middle right finger. The contact had additional x-rays performed on the right of her body where she experienced pain and soreness to the right side of her back and leg; as well as her breastplate. The contact's sister was treated for a fractured hip, spine, and breastplate. Both the contact and her sister attend physical therapy to treat their injuries. A police report was filed. The contact was uncertain if any property damage was caused by the accident. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and an independent investigator was sent to investigate the failure; the cause of the failure had yet to be determined. The vehicle was destroyed due to the accident. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000. |
| Category | Tires |
| Date | Jun 01, 2022 |
| State | PR |
| Description | Original equipment in lexus rx 350; michelin premier ltx 235/55/20 at less than 2 years and 14, 00 miles run advised by the manufacturer to replace for a new one because premature tire deterioration with risk of impending tire rupture. Advised that they have seen a situation is occurring in the same vehicle and these specific tires. Yet no recall and the replacement at the owner's expense. Same situation in the 4 tires. |
| Category | Tires |
| Date | Jun 01, 2022 |
| State | PR |
| Description | Original equipment in lexus rx 350; michelin premier ltx 235/55/20 at less than 2 years and 14, 00 miles run advised by the manufacturer to replace for a new one because premature tire deterioration with risk of impending tire rupture. Advised that they have seen a situation is occurring in the same vehicle and these specific tires. Yet no recall and the replacement at the owner's expense. Same situation in the 4 tires. This is a safety issue that both te tire manufacturer and that car dealership are aware of. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Apr 29, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | I was driving on the 210 freeway in southern california and my sunroof exploded. There was no sign of an object hitting it and I didn't see anything bounce off of it onto the road or onto other cars. My insurance company inspected it and sent me to a repair shop to have it replaced. |
| Category | Structure:body |
| Date | Apr 18, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | While into a road trip from florida to tennessee on I-75 the sunroof spontaneously exploded. The interior sunshade was closed. Otherwise the glass shards would have entered the interior. The glass most likely would have caused cut injuries to the driver (my wife) and I. Also, it may well have caused her to lose control of the vehicle resulting in a very serious accident while driving at 75 mph. My insurance company classified it as vehicle mechanical failure and not covered by my insurance. They indicated this has happen to other vehicles including lexus. The replacement cost for glass and labor was |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Oct 31, 2021 |
| State | MI |
| Description | Abs actuator noise voice |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
| Date | Oct 20, 2021 |
| State | FL |
| Description | I was driving about 75mph on the interstate and there were no vehicles or other objects near me when my car braked on its own as if there were a vehicle/object in close proximity to the front of my vehicle. |
| Category | Air Bags, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
| Date | Sep 11, 2021 |
| State | SC |
| Description | Just after topping a hill on an interstate highway, both lanes of traffic ahead of us came to a sudden and complete stop. I was in left lane and reacted quickly and applied full braking power and managed to stop a foot or 2 from the rear of the stopped car ahead of us. A few seconds later we were hit from the rear by two cars, one, a black late model camry, which almost stopped and a 2nd, a large, new german-maker grey suv, which never applied brakes, destroyed the black camry behind us and then destroyed our car, when it hit the left rear and after impact continued pushing the front of the car into the steel cables separating our lane of travel from the oncoming traffic in the other lane of the interstate, until the steel cables stopped us. Neither the electronic collision alert system, the air bags or the emergency braking system activated. The electronic system in our new lexus then came on and told us that the collision alert/airbag activation system was defective and to contact our dealer for inspection and repair. However, our car was totalled destroyed and taking it to a dealer for "inspection" was neither possible nor practical, but my wife and I walked away without any known injuries. Lexus was advised of the defect, the extent of damage, and told where car was and invited to inspect it. Not sure if lexus ever inspected it. |
| Category | Engine, Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Aug 22, 2021 |
| State | LA |
| Description | Was driving into the garage (coasting) very slowly and as I was preparing to step on brake the car revved forward unsuspectedly - I have a video on my ring door bell and you can hear the engine then the squealing of the automatic braking system. I destroyed the adult 3 wheel bicycle that was stored along the wall but that helped the vehicle from crashing through the bricks - I remember shouting “what the hell is happeningâ€. After much research as I knew I did not depress the accelerator in error - I found that this has been a common occurrence with toyota and lexus products. I am a very careful driver and I have replayed the incident in my head over and over. I presently dont have the insurance and repair information readily available |
| Category | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| Date | Mar 16, 2021 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2020 lexus rx350. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v682000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that ray catena lexus of monmouth located at 2135 nj-35, oakhurst, nj 07755, (732)493-5000, had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. |
| Category | Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Mar 01, 2021 |
| State | TX |
| Description | I received a safety recall from lexus sometime last year, although I don't know exactly when. There is no date on any of the information that was sent to me, but I believe it was sometime last summer. Nothing has happened to my car, yet, but I don't believe a "safety" recall notice should take months and months to be fixed. When I got the notice, I called my lexus dealership and asked when I could expect my car to be fixed and they said they did not know when they would get the part and would let me know. I have never heard from them. This recall is for a low pressure fuel pump which could cause the vehicle to stall while driving. To confirm, so far nothing has happened to my car. Nhtsa no. 20v-682 I am putting today's date in the area of "when did this happen". |
| Category | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| Date | Jan 04, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2020 lexus rx350. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v012000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Tustin lexus (45 auto center dr, tustin, ca 92782, (714) 544-4800) was contacted by phone however, the contact was unable to reach a representative. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.*dt*jb |
| Category | Fuel/propulsion System, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Dec 14, 2020 |
| State | NV |
| Description | Low-pressure fuel pump which may stop operating. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Oct 13, 2020 |
| State | CO |
| Description | I took the car to metro express car wash in denver. As the car progressed along the tracks, the tall brush approached the car and the collision avoidance system got activated, the car got pushed off-track and brushed against all kinds of tubes, pipes and scratched and dented the entire right (passenger) side. The cost to repair this damage at the lexus certified body shop (required by my lease agreement with lexus financial) is ,000 (and counting). Only about 50% is covered by state farm because the lexus certified shop is not on their list of preferred shops. Nothing in the owners manual covers the behavior of the collision avoidance system nor did the dealers 'demo' of the extensive technical features caution me of what I should be doing in such a case. The car wash only asked the car be in neutral and the automatic wipers be switched off. I have for the past month (case number 2009080358) tried to impress on lexus that this attempt to deny any responsibilty has been met with a total disregard to my situation |
| Category | Electrical System, Engine |
| Date | Oct 08, 2020 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Car shuts off while driving |
| Category | Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Mar 17, 2020 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2020 lexus rx 450h. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle in a parking lot, depressing the brake pedal the vehicle moved forward independently. The contact stated that she panicked and crashed into a restaurant. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later taken to lexus of woodland hills (21701 ventura blvd, woodland hills, ca 91364), where a diagnostic testing was not completed due to the fees. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later taken to an insurance independent mechanic where a diagnostic testing was completed of the accident damage. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that an inspector will be sent out. The contact stated received a letter from the manufacturer stating that per the event data recorder that the brake pedal was being depressed during the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240. *ln*jb |
Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of bad manufacturing and run-arounds from auto companies. We are ranked A+ by the BBB. Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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