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2020 Lexus RX problems

The most common problem on the 2020 Lexus RX is airbags. It has 1.7 times the complaints of a typical RX model year.

Typical year1.7x the typical complaints
Year score
56/100
Owner complaints
48
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
34
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
21-30mpg

The worst 2020 Lexus RX problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    21
  • Engine
    5
  • Driver assistance
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Tires
    4

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    21
  • Engine
    5
  • Driver assistance
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Tires
    4
  • Body
    3
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported December 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Risk
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

Recall number 23V865000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2020 Lexus RX

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Lexus RX 34

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 34 bulletins for the 2020 Lexus RX

2020 Lexus RX fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cyl HybridAWD29-312829-30
3.5L 6‑cylFWD192622
3.5L 6‑cylAWD18-1925-2621-22

What 2020 Lexus RX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · GA

Rear spoiler is defective cannot handle Sun Uv rays Making my trunk, not usable Spoiler has been damaged from the sun wart and started hitting the roof of my vehicle Lexus trim parts and spoilers are defective

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Body · NJ

Rear tail lights have started to crack internally. Concern that moisture will short out lights which becomes a safety concern.

Filed Sep 13, 2026 · Lights · FL

I live in the [XXX] area and have noticed a disturbing trend. Frequently, when driving at night, I come across cars that don't have any tail lights on. Usually these are tourists in rental cars, but not always. My wife was guilty of this also. The problem is that the dash lights come on separately from the head and tail lights, it wasn't always this way. If the headlight switch is not in auto, a driver might think the lights are on, because the both daytime running lights and the dash lights are on. This is a very unsafe situation. This problem is made worse when you get your car repaired or rent one because the one of the first things the mechanic or rental people do is put the light switch in off. There was even a incident on the TV show, On-Patrol Live, where the sheriff in [XXX] pulled someone over for no tail lights and had to instruct the driver how to put the switch back in auto. This problem has gone on for years and it is time to fix it. The fix shouldn't be too difficult, just make the dash lights only come on with the headlights. This way when it gets dark and there are no dash lights, the driver should know there is a problem and will turn the headlights on. I came across another car without their tail lights tonight on the [XXX] just south of [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Engine · CA

Timing cover oil leak

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Wheels · NY

The rear wheel which is Lexus OEM busted and lost air when driving on the highway at highway speed on June 23, 2026. This caused an immediate hazard and a dangerous loss of vehicle control. Fortunately, I was able to safely pull over, but this failure put my life and the lives of others at serious risk. The mileage is about 45,396. The vehicle was purchased from Freeport Lexus as a pre-owned on January 20, 2026. The recording from the dashcam shows no debris on the road and the car didn't hit any object the road. I've written an email to the dealer and asked for an field inspection of the wheel.

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · NJ

The panoramic sunroof has a shade, which is not closing. This causes a lot of sunlight to enter the vehicle which might be harmful to your skin and causes headaches. The repair is very expensive and there is no other way around it. I seen many owners raising concerns about the same issue happening to them, on youtube, reddit, google and other websites. This is an issue on the same model from around 2017-2022. This must be repaired by lexus, and improved so it doesn’t keep happening.

Filed May 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

While driving the engine stalls. It has jolted back-and-forth at times and had to be taken to a dealer. It’s still stalls when trying to slowly accelerate especially uphills. Low gas mileage barely getting 18 miles per gallon. Warning lights flickering while car stallling. It’s like it’s having a seizure. This has happened a few times.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · GA

The hatchback window shattered without any known cause. It appeared to have been hit from inside the vehicle but no one was in or around the vehicle when it occurred. It was 82 degrees outside and the vehicle was parked in the shade. Lexus told me there were no known issues regarding the window on other Lexus vehicles.

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I own a 2020 Lexus RX 450h with approximately 129,803 miles. The check engine light came on and the vehicle stored diagnostic trouble code P0A2D, which indicates a failure of the drive motor/temperature sensor circuit that is integrated into the transmission/hybrid motor assembly. According to the Lexus dealer’s diagnosis, the temperature control sensor located on the transmission/hybrid drive unit has failed. Because Lexus designed this sensor as part of the transmission assembly, the dealer has stated the sensor cannot be replaced separately and that the only repair is to replace the entire transmission. Lexus is refusing to acknowledge this as a manufacturing defect and is requiring me, the consumer, to pay the full cost of a complete transmission replacement, estimated at approximately $9,040.03, solely due to the failure of this internal temperature sensor. This is a critical component used to monitor drive motor/transmission temperature. A malfunctioning sensor of this type can lead to improper system operation, possible overheating, loss of power, or unpredictable behavior of the hybrid drive system while the vehicle is in motion, which presents a safety risk to occupants and other road users. This failure occurred during normal use on public roads and not due to any accident, abuse, or modification. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether there is a design or manufacturing defect in the drive motor/transmission temperature sensor and its housing or circuitry on the 2020 Lexus RX 450h (and related Toyota/Lexus hybrid models) that forces owners to replace the entire transmission when this internal sensor fails. This appears to be an unreasonable safety‑related defect and an unreasonable repair burden on consumers.

Filed Feb 16, 2026 · Airbags, Driver assistance · TX · crash

I am submitting this correspondence to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2020 Lexus RX 350 and to request a thorough investigation. On Saturday, February 7, while attempting to park the vehicle, I experienced a sudden loss of control, resulting in the vehicle accelerating forward and colliding with a metal gate. The exact cause of this event is unknown. During the incident, the vehicle’s pre-collision and automatic braking system failed to engage despite an obstruction being present. Additionally, the airbags did not deploy at the time of impact. A minor child was present in the vehicle, properly secured in a child's safety seat. While no injuries occurred, the vehicle sustained extensive damage and was rendered inoperable. I would also like to note that this vehicle was subject to an airbag recall on November 29, 2025, which was serviced prior to this incident. Despite completing the recall service, the airbags failed to deploy during the accident. After the vehicle was towed, the airbags unexpectedly deployed while it was being lifted onto the tow truck using a crane, further raising concerns regarding the reliability and safety of the airbag system.

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Compare the 2020 Lexus RX

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2020 Lexus RX

Is the 2020 Lexus RX reliable?

Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 2020 Lexus RX, 1.7 times a typical RX model year.

What is the 2020 Lexus RX year score?

The 2020 Lexus RX scores 56 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lexus RX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Lexus RX?

Airbags, with 21 complaints. Next is engine (5).

How many recalls does the 2020 Lexus RX have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Lexus RX get?

Official estimates for the 2020 Lexus RX range from 21 to 30 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl hybrid, AWD) gets 29-31 city and 28 highway.

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