Lexus RX Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Lexus RX across 26 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (47). The words owners use most often: “rx350 air” (20% of reports).
- 128air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 29mention a crash
- 20mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 22%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- RX350 air: mentioned in 25 of 128 complaints (20%)
- Bags contacted: mentioned in 22 of 128 complaints (17%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 33 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 128 complaints, 29 mention a crash, 20 an injury.
Lexus RX air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 RX | 2 | 9% | 106 |
| 2024 RX | 2 | 3% | 1,020 |
| 2023 RX | 2 | 3% | 7,000 |
| 2022 RX | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2021 RX | 47 | 67% | 76,000 |
| 2020 RX | 21 | 45% | 46,000 |
| 2019 RX | 3 | 9% | — |
| 2018 RX | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2017 RX | 3 | 6% | 30,000 |
| 2016 RX | 1 | 4% | 98,000 |
| 2014 RX | 2 | 17% | 44,000 |
| 2013 RX | 2 | 11% | 105,606 |
| 2012 RX | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2011 RX | 4 | 14% | 83,000 |
| 2010 RX | 2 | 3% | 1 |
| 2009 RX | 3 | 9% | 76,000 |
| 2008 RX | 6 | 9% | 223,500 |
| 2007 RX | 6 | 10% | 97,500 |
| 2006 RX | 2 | 6% | 180,000 |
| 2005 RX | 5 | 19% | 80,000 |
| 2004 RX | 6 | 15% | 129,000 |
| 2003 RX | 1 | 25% | 125,000 |
| 2002 RX | 2 | 17% | 115,000 |
| 2001 RX | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2000 RX | 1 | 3% | — |
| 1999 RX | 1 | 3% | 120,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette; steering:column
Model years: 2023
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Model years: 2020, 2021
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On XXX, our 2018 Lexus RX 350L was involved in a high-speed collision in [XXX]. The vehicle struck a Jersey/concrete barrier with the left front of the vehicle. The collision caused extensive damage to the left-front corner of the vehicle. The left-front wheel and suspension were severely…
After slowly making a left into a parking space at Dunkin Donuts and trying to deploy my brakes, my car lunged forward spontaneously accelerating, jumped two curbs and hit a barrier and the window of the store. The impact of the crash wrecked my front end and the radiator was damaged and was laying…
The car does not alert when a seat belt is not worn in the back seats. This feature is mentioned in the owner's manual, but the car fails to alert when a rear passenger does not buckle their seat belt. I have raised the complaint twice and proved to lexus service center, that car doesn't warn or…
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…
Making a left turn at night going about 10 mph I was struck by a car with no lights. He hit the right front of my vehicle going about 55-60 mph. He hit my front strut and headlights and grill and radiator. My airbags did not deploy, the other vehicleâs airbag did. The police told me I should call…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Lexus RXs have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 128 owner complaints about air bags for the Lexus RX. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Lexus RX air bags?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Lexus RX?
The most frequent phrase is “rx350 air”, in 25 of 128 complaints, followed by “bags contacted” (22).
Other Lexus RX problems
- Engine problems (146)
- Power Train problems (134)
- Electrical System problems (118)
- Service Brakes problems (101)
See all Lexus RX problems.