Lexus RZ years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Lexus RZ years

The 2023 Lexus RZ is the year to be most cautious about, carrying the highest complaint volume in NHTSA data and the most owner-reported problems on CarComplaints.com among all RZ model years so far. NHTSA data through the 2023-2025 model years shows 6 recall campaigns and 20 complaints on file, with the 2023 model year posting the highest complaint volume at 13 reports, followed by 2024 at 4 and 2025 at 3. CarComplaints.com rates complaint severity differently from NHTSA’s raw counts: CarComplaints uses a PainRank that weights repair cost and mileage at failure, while NHTSA measures raw complaint volume. The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e has 16 problems and defects reported by owners on CarComplaints, with the worst complaints in the drivetrain category. Additional sources used in this guide include Consumer Reports reliability data, Kelley Blue Book ratings, IIHS crash-test scores, and owner discussions on rzforums.com. Our years to avoid methodology weights complaint volume, recall exposure, and owner-reported repair severity to produce the verdicts in this guide.

Every Lexus RZ model year ranked

The Lexus RZ launched for 2023 and, as of this writing, spans three production years with a 2026 refresh underway. This guide focuses on 2023-2025 Lexus RZ models on the original e-TNGA platform, as those are the years you’ll realistically find on the used market today.

Most common Lexus RZ problems

Structurally and mechanically, the RZ has been solid so far. The real reliability story centers on software, climate-control quirks, charging behavior, and real-world range, especially in cold weather, rather than catastrophic hardware failures. The top documented issue is the HVAC/defroster software fault that prompted a safety recall across all three production years.

1. HVAC/defroster software fault (recall 25V-577)

On certain vehicles, a software problem causes the HVAC system to enter a failsafe mode, which can stop the heater from working. If that happens, the windshield defroster may not work properly, and an “EV System Malfunction” or “Drive Start Control Malfunction” message may display. NHTSA campaign 25V-577 covers 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles, involving 94,320 total units. During certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative, decreasing driver visibility and increasing crash risk. Dealers update the HVAC control ECU software free of charge and also inspect the electrical compressor, replacing it if necessary, also at no cost. Lexus’s own recall numbers for this campaign are 25LB04 and 25LA04. So far, this recall is the only widely reported, systemic issue with the RZ. Once fixed, owners generally aren’t reporting repeat HVAC failures. Before buying any 2023-2025 RZ, ask the dealer to print a VIN-specific recall history confirming the 25V-577 fix is documented.

2. Real-world range shortfall

The headliner complaint from owners is range that feels smaller than the brochure promised. Early 450e models were EPA-rated around 220 miles depending on wheel size, yet many owners report seeing 150-180 miles on the dash, and less in winter or at highway speeds. Some drivers have watched the displayed full-charge range fall by 20-30 miles within the first year. Three different things get conflated here: the EPA test cycle, the car’s own algorithm, and real-world physics. The RZ uses a relatively modest-capacity battery for its size, and the platform is shared with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. Consumer Reports notes the RZ falters when it comes to driving range, charging speed, and the amount of EV-specific information given to the driver. This is a design limitation, not a mechanical defect, but it matters enormously for daily usability. Before buying, take a long test drive from a full charge and compare indicated range to real-world conditions where you live.

3. Electrical system complaints

The electrical system accounts for 14 of the 25 total NHTSA complaints filed for the Lexus RZ across all model years, making it the dominant concern. Within that category, 14 complaints involve the electrical system and 7 involve unknown or unspecified issues. Software and user-experience issues are more common than mechanical failures. Owners are far more likely to complain about infotainment freezes, charging-network handshakes, or HVAC logic than about components actually breaking. Individual complaints on NHTSA include an owner reporting suspension failure at low speed on a 2023 RZ 450e, though drivetrain and battery hardware look robust so far, with very few reports of traction motors, inverters, or high-voltage packs failing outright.

4. DC fast charging inconsistency

Owners report slow or inconsistent DC fast charging speeds, with sessions sometimes stuck far below the advertised peak rate. Early cars also had a relatively weak onboard charger, making Level 2 home charging slower than rivals. Maximum range on the 2025 model is 266 miles, and the RZ can be fast-charged to 80% in about 30 minutes or charged overnight at home, though that’s not as much range as some competitors offer, especially for road-trip usage. The 2024 RZ 300e improved this somewhat with the CATL battery pack and a higher range rating of 266 miles on 18-inch wheels. If you rely on public DC fast charging regularly, verify charging logs from the specific car you’re considering by plugging into a fast charger during the test drive.

5. Panoramic View Monitor rearview camera software error

A recall covers certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. A software error may cause the rearview camera to malfunction. Dealers update the rearview camera software or replace the camera as needed, free of charge. This applies to equipped RZ models alongside the broader Toyota family; verify your specific VIN to confirm whether this campaign applies to the car you’re looking at.

Which Lexus RZ years should you avoid?

The Lexus RZ year to avoid is 2023. NHTSA complaint data shows the 2023 model year carries 13 complaints, the highest volume of any RZ model year on record. On CarComplaints.com, the 2023 RZ 450e has 16 reported problems and defects, with the worst complaints in the drivetrain category - making it the most problematic year by owner-complaint measure on that platform as well. As a launch year for an entirely new platform, the 2023 also carries the most recall exposure, with NHTSA showing 2 recall campaigns specifically tied to that model year.

Worst Lexus RZ years: 2023

1st-generation Lexus RZ (2023 - present)

The RZ is Lexus’s first ground-up EV, not a mature platform like a Camry hybrid. That means fewer years of real-world data and a higher chance of software and feature-level issues surfacing as the fleet ages. Because the RZ launched for 2023, there are only a few model years of data available. The 2023 is the clear weak link in the first generation. Consumer Reports flags the launch year as a redesign/introduction year, noting that the more extensive or complicated the redesign, the higher the risk of reliability problems. The HVAC recall (25V-577), the highest raw complaint count, and the most drivetrain-specific owner reports all concentrate in the 2023 model. If a 2023 is the only car in your budget, insist on documented proof that the HVAC recall has been completed before signing.

What are the best Lexus RZ years to buy?

The best Lexus RZ year to buy right now is the 2025, which posts the fewest NHTSA complaints of any production year and earned a five-star overall NHTSA safety rating.

Most reliable Lexus RZ years: 2025

2025 Lexus RZ

The 2025 Lexus RZ earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Early 2025 consumer reviews are positive overall, and Lexus doesn’t usually show up in horror-story threads - the 2025 RZ is no exception. With only 3 NHTSA complaints on file, the 2025 is the cleanest year in terms of raw complaint volume. The HVAC recall (25V-577) technically applies to 2025 production runs built before the software fix, but by the time most 2025 cars hit the used market, the update has likely been completed - confirm via VIN before buying. Consumer Reports expects the 2026 RZ to be more reliable than the average new car, basing that prediction on data from 2023 and 2024 models, plus Lexus brand scores - a positive signal for the generation’s trajectory overall.

2024 Lexus RZ

The 2024 RZ 450e earned highest honors from the IIHS, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The 2024 model year was also the first to offer the RZ 300e trim in the US market, giving buyers a front-wheel-drive option with a larger 72.8 kWh CATL battery pack and an EPA-estimated range of 266 miles on 18-inch wheels. With 4 NHTSA complaints on record - down sharply from the 2023’s 13 - the 2024 is a reasonable pick, provided the HVAC recall has been completed. Stick to the Premium trim: Consumer Reports recommends avoiding the Luxury model, which comes with 20-inch tires that reduce range and are likely to make for a less comfortable ride.

Lexus RZ submodel years to avoid

The Lexus RZ lineup currently consists of two distinct powertrain variants - the RZ 450e and the RZ 300e - each with its own drivetrain, battery, and model-year availability. Each is assessed on its own record below.

Lexus RZ 450e years to avoid

The RZ 450e is the first all-electric vehicle from Lexus. It shares the e-TNGA platform with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra twins, though its powertrain draws from the same parts bin with considerably more power. The DIRECT4 AWD system uses two eAxle units - a 150 kW front and an 80 kW rear - driving all four wheels. The 71.4 kWh PPES battery delivers 308 hp and a 5.0-second 0-60 time, with an EPA-estimated range of 220 miles on 18-inch wheels. The 450e has been on sale since the 2023 model year. The 2023 carries the most owner-reported problems on CarComplaints.com, with drivetrain complaints leading the category. Owner reports to NHTSA from 2023 RZ 450e owners include a catastrophic front-right suspension failure in a parking lot and an HVAC system failure that left a vehicle out of service for over 30 days. These are individual reports rather than a confirmed systemic pattern, but they are worth noting when inspecting a 2023 450e specifically. The HVAC recall (25V-577) - covered in full in the “Most common problems” section above - applies to the 450e across all 2023-2025 model years. The 2024 and 2025 450e carry far fewer complaints. Lexus backs the RZ 450e with a detailed warranty package that includes an 8-year/150,000-mile battery warranty and a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, plus a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Before buying any used 450e, check:

• VIN-confirmed completion of recall 25V-577 (HVAC/defroster)

• Battery health report or extended test drive from a full charge

• Charging session logs or a live Level 2 and DC fast-charge test

Lexus RZ pre-purchase checklist

Before you sign on any used Lexus RZ, run through these model-specific checks:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker. Confirm all open recalls - especially 25V-577 (HVAC/defroster, covering all 2023-2025 cars) - are documented as completed with dealer paperwork.

• On a 2023 car specifically, ask for drivetrain repair records. The 2023 year carries the most drivetrain-related owner complaints on CarComplaints.com. Any unusual noises during the test drive or recent drivetrain work should be investigated before purchase.

• Test the HVAC fully. Run heat, defrost, and A/C through full cycles. Note any chemical smells, weak heat on one side, odd noises, or fog that’s slow to clear - all symptoms associated with the HVAC compressor fault that prompted recall 25V-577.

• Test both charging modes. If possible, plug into both a Level 2 charger and a DC fast charger. Watch for repeated handshake failures or charging-rate drops that indicate software or charging hardware issues.

• Check the battery’s displayed range. Take a test drive from a high state of charge and compare the indicated range to EPA figures. A displayed range 30+ miles below EPA on a 2023-2024 car deserves a battery health check at a Lexus dealer before purchase.

• Verify the rearview/Panoramic View Monitor recall status. If the car is equipped with a PVM system, confirm the camera software update has been completed as part of the broader Toyota/Lexus camera recall.

• Request full service records. Because EVs have fewer oil changes to track, look specifically for software-update visits, charging-system inspections, and any warranty repair documentation. A car with no dealer visits since purchase is a yellow flag, not a green one.

• Confirm trim-level wheel size. Consumer Reports recommends sticking to the Premium trim for its longer driving range, as the Luxury model’s 20-inch tires reduce range notably.

Better alternatives to consider

If the Lexus RZ years in your budget land on the avoid list, or if the RZ’s range or charging limitations don’t fit your needs, consider these same-class alternatives:

• Lexus GX 460 - a body-on-frame Lexus SUV with a much longer production run and a well-documented year-by-year reliability record for used buyers

• Lexus ES 350 - a mature Lexus platform with decades of reliability data and lower running costs than a first-generation EV

• Toyota bZ4X - shares the Lexus RZ’s e-TNGA platform at a lower price point, with the same HVAC recall history but a larger production run and more owner data available

• Hyundai IONIQ 5 - a direct EV competitor in the same price bracket with a notably higher EPA range rating and more charging-network compatibility out of the box