TireKick

Reported years

Engine owner reports: Lexus RX years in the records

Owner reports are bound to model year 2017. A year on this list does not mean every car has the problem.

Years we reviewed

What to inspect

  1. 1Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“1. Engine timing cover leaking 2. Oil could leak out emptying which could cause the engine to stop working at any given time 3. Problem has been confirmed by Hennessy Lexus dealership in Duluth, GA but they will not fix it. 4. Vehicle has been inspected by the dealership 5. No signs, I found out from the dealership after taking it in for an oil change”
NHTSAcomplaintMar 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“My car has an oil leak from the timing chain cover gasket that was discovered by an independent mechanic at 37,465 miles. The dealer confirmed the leak on June 14, 2024 during a recall replacement of the fuel pump. The repair is very expensive and the car is no longer under warranty. This is the second occurrence of this same issue. The first occurred in April 2021 at 24,192 miles and was repaired by the dealer under warranty. There were no warning lamps or messages of the problem but there was oil on the ground where I park. The car is available for inspection. An internet search confirms that this is a known and common problem with the Lexus RX350 (and specifically the 2017 model) for many owners with some occurring more than once as in my case.”
NHTSAcomplaintSep 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“On [XXX], my wife, [XXX] , was driving our Lexus RX 350 when she noticed engine smoke without any prior notifications from the vehicle. Concerned for her safety, she pulled over and contacted Geico for assistance. Geico arranged for the vehicle to be towed to Motor City Lexus, a trusted Lexus dealership in Bakersfield. Once we the dealership performed a diagnosis they advised that the issue involved coolant being leaked into the engine that caused the smoke with in result caused the engine blow head gasket. After doing some research I saw an article from consumer reports about some Lexus and Toyota SUVs doing the exact same thing which made me decide to wrote about this incident. I am including the link regarding the report [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
NHTSAcomplaintJul 2024Open source record