There are 9 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2017 Lexus RXin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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
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.
During a routine maintenance at the Lexus dealer where vehicle was purchased, we were told that there was a potential oil leak from ("potentially") the engine where the block, cylinder head, and timing cover components meet. The quote we got for the repair is $18,781.52 as a good portion of the car needs to be disassembled to access the motor. This issue was only brought up after the warranty expired. The Toyota 2GR-FKS 3.5L V-6 engine in this vehicle is known to leak in this area due to the gasket mating surfaces in the area mentioned above not sealing completely requiring silicone RTV caulk to be installed during engine assembly. If this is not done correctly leaks occur. Lexus refuses to make good on this saying the car is out of warranty. Ironically, after receiving the quote from the dealer for the repair, we received an offer to extend the warranty - available only after this $18k repair was completed.
I just picked My Car up from Bakersfield Motor Ciry Lexus . My engine was replaced with a engine at this location with 65k . I have now notice my car jerk during acceleration from a stop position or uphill possibly from the transmission . I respectfully requesting a claim be opened on this issue as I didn't have the issue until engine replacement. I am also requesting a courtesy evaluation and stress test on the transmission at my home dealership Newport Beach Lexus. Ever since engine replacement the car has been bucking during acceleration 0 to 45.
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)
Engine hesitation. sometimes the engine suddenly slows down or like lossing it’s power while running on the freeway or making a turn or going uphill . This is a very scarry situation everytime it does .
The Dealer Northtown Lexus in Amherst, New York replaced the vacuum pump per a factory recall. As a result, the vacuum pump continues to function improperly. The dealership, whom repaired the vehicle without my authorization, refuses to complete the vehicle repair.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LEXUS RX350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE START BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START UNTIL AFTER THE FOURTH ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE OTHER TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR TWO OR MORE DAYS. IN ADDITION, THE 'CONTACT YOUR DEALER SOON' MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LEXUS OF BIRMINGHAM, 1001 TOM WILLIAMS WAY, IRONDALE, ALABAMA 35210), BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER INQUIRED IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY WHEN THE START BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
WHEN ACCELERATING HEAR A LOUD GROANING NOISE AND FEEL A HESITATION IN THE GAS ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HAVE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, AS IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THEIR IS AN ISSUE, BUT SAYS WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE THEIR IS NO RECALL. THEY SAID WILL NOTIFY US IF/WHEN LEXUS HAS A REMEDY. APPARENTLY THIS IS HAPPENING ON 2016 & 2017 MODELS. I AM WORRIED THAT MY CAR IS JUST GOING TO LOSE POWER WHEN ACCELERATING AS IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND LOUDER GROANING NOISE. THIS HAPPENS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WHEN THE CAR IS COLD AND ACCELERATING BETWEEN 0 TO 20 MPH.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026