Lexus TX years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Lexus TX years

The 2024 Lexus TX carries the heaviest complaint and recall burden of any model year, with 118 NHTSA owner complaints and the bulk of the model’s 12 recall campaigns concentrated on that first production year.

This guide draws on NHTSA complaints and recall data, CarComplaints (which ranks the worst model year using its PainRank algorithm - weighting repair cost and mileage at failure, not raw volume), and Consumer Reports owner-survey reliability scores. NHTSA shows raw complaint volume by model year; CarComplaints ranks years on cost and early-failure severity and can name a different “worst year” from the one with the most NHTSA complaints. For the TX, both sources point to 2024 as the most problematic year.

Our years to avoid methodology weights recall severity, complaint volume, and early-failure cost together rather than treating any single signal as definitive.

Every Lexus TX model year ranked

The Lexus TX has only three model years on record so far, and the data split is clear: 2024 carries the risk, while 2025 and 2026 show improvement.

Most common Lexus TX problems

The single biggest documented failure across the TX range is the curtain airbag ejection-mitigation defect that triggered recall 24V-461 on all 2024 models. Beyond the airbag recall, owner reports and NHTSA data point to rearview camera failures, windshield seal and noise issues, and electrical system faults as the other recurring problem areas.

1. Curtain airbag ejection-mitigation defect (recall 24V-461)

The recall was issued because the driver’s and passenger’s side curtain shield airbags may not deploy correctly during a crash, especially if the window is rolled down - instead of staying inside the cabin, the airbag can partially unroll outside the window, reducing its effectiveness and raising the risk of injury. This condition fails to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 226 for ejection mitigation.

Approximately 145,000 2024 models of the Toyota Grand Highlander, Lexus TX350, Lexus TX500h, and Lexus TX550h+ are part of this safety recall (NHTSA campaign 24V-461). The Lexus manufacturer recall numbers are 24LA05 (with interim notice 24LB05). When the remedy is available, Lexus dealers replace the driver and passenger curtain shield airbags free of charge. There are no dashboard warnings that this condition exists, so Lexus recommended keeping the driver-side window closed while driving until the repair is performed.

Airbags are the top reported issue across all TX model years, accounting for 52 complaints in NHTSA’s database. No repair cost applies because the remedy is a free dealer fix, but any unresolved recall 24V-461 on a used 2024 TX is a serious pre-purchase concern. Confirm via VIN check that the airbags have already been replaced before you take ownership.

2. Rearview camera failure

A separate recall affects certain 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles, in which the rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse - the issue stems from a brief drop in electrical power during specific engine restart conditions that interrupts the camera system before it fully loads.

This recall is listed under NHTSA campaign number 26V-162. Dealers update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. The Lexus manufacturer numbers for this campaign are 26LA02/26LB02. Toyota began investigating reports of inoperative rearview cameras in early 2025 and concluded in March 2026 that a recall was necessary.

This defect is limited to the TX350 (the non-hybrid variant) across the 2024-2026 model years. It does not apply to the TX500h or TX550h+. On any used TX350, confirm the 26V-162 software update has been completed at a Lexus dealer.

3. Windshield seal and cabin noise/leak issues

Consumer Reports owner surveys for the 2024 TX flag “noises/leaks” as a common trouble spot, with owners reporting squeaks, rattles, wind noises, and loose seals - one owner specifically noted “Front seal on bottom of outside of windshield is loose.” Owner-reported problems also include windshield leaks, dashboard squeaks, and minor electronic glitches.

These are build-quality rather than safety complaints, and they appear to be concentrated in the 2024 launch year. The 2025 model received refinements to noise reduction and cabin comfort. Before buying any 2024 TX, inspect the windshield perimeter seal and all door weatherstripping carefully, and run the HVAC fan to listen for wind intrusion at highway speed.

4. Electrical system faults

Electrical system issues account for 20 complaints in NHTSA’s TX database, making it the third most-reported problem category after airbags and unspecified issues. Reported faults include complete electrical and software failures while the vehicle is occupied, low-brake-power warnings on cold starts, and hood flutter at highway speeds on some 2026 units.

A 2026 TX 350 owner filed a complaint describing a complete electrical and software failure while an occupant was inside, and separately another owner reported significant hood flutter at 60-70 mph that constitutes a visual distraction while driving. Electrical faults of this type can be hard to replicate at a dealer, so a pre-purchase car battery voltage check and a full system scan are prudent steps on any used TX.

5. Powertrain and load-label compliance

Powertrain complaints account for 8 reports in NHTSA’s TX database. A separate recall covers certain 2024-2026 TX350 and TX500 Hybrid vehicles because the load-carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values, causing those vehicles to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110 on tire selection and rims.

Consumer Reports owner reports for the 2025 TX also flag “engine minor” issues including accessory belts, oil leaks, and one owner report of a failed oxygen sensor on a 2025 TX 350 2.4L turbo four-cylinder. These are early-ownership concerns rather than a systemic powertrain failure pattern, but they reinforce the value of reviewing full service records before buying.

Which Lexus TX years should you avoid?

The Lexus TX year to avoid is 2024. NHTSA complaint volume for the 2024 TX is 118 - the highest of any model year - compared to 28 for 2025 and 10 for 2026. Consumer Reports rates the 2024 TX as having “about average” reliability compared to other cars from the same model year, a step below the 2025’s above-average rating, and the 2024 is the only year carrying the major 24V-461 airbag recall. CarComplaints is still actively collecting data on the TX and has not yet published a full PainRank score, but the early-complaint concentration on the 2024 is consistent with its first-year launch issues.

Worst Lexus TX years: 2024

1st-generation Lexus TX (2024-present)

The 2024 TX is subject to recall 24V-461, which covers approximately 145,000 vehicles across the TX350, TX500h, and TX550h+. Consumer Reports gives the 2024 TX “about average” reliability and notes 4 NHTSA recalls on record. Beyond the airbag recall, the 2024 is the source of the windshield seal complaints and most of the dashboard rattle reports documented in Consumer Reports owner surveys. Toyota issued a stop-sale on these vehicles in June 2024 and has since developed a remedy. Any 2024 TX you buy used should have confirmed dealer records showing both the 24V-461 airbag replacement and any other open campaigns are closed.

What are the best Lexus TX years to buy?

The best Lexus TX years to buy are 2025 and 2026, both of which show meaningfully lower complaint volumes and stronger reliability scores than the 2024 launch year.

Most reliable Lexus TX years: 2025, 2026

2025 Lexus TX

Consumer Reports rates the 2025 TX as more reliable than other cars from the same model year - a clear improvement over the 2024’s “about average” score. The 2025 builds on the 2024 with refinements to noise reduction and cabin comfort, and continues with the same reliable powertrains and safety systems. With 28 NHTSA complaints versus 118 on the debut year, it represents a significant step forward. The 24V-461 airbag recall does not carry over to 2025 models, removing the biggest single concern.

2026 Lexus TX

The 2026 Lexus TX received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. With only 10 NHTSA complaints on record, it is the cleanest model year in the lineup to date. The 2026 TX has 3 recall campaigns, none of which involve the airbag ejection-mitigation defect that defines the 2024. The rearview camera recall (26V-162) touches some 2026 TX350 units, but that is a free software update rather than a hardware defect requiring airbag replacement.

Lexus TX submodel years to avoid

The TX comes in three distinct powertrain variants - the TX 350, TX 500h, and TX 550h+ - and each has been available since the 2024 model year. Each is assessed below on its own record.

Lexus TX 350 years to avoid

The TX 350 pairs a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and is available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. It is the only TX variant with its own distinct recall exposure beyond the shared 2024 airbag campaign.

Affected TX 350 units span model years 2024-2026 for the rearview camera failure covered by recall 26V-162. This recall does not apply to the TX 500h or TX 550h+, making it a TX 350-specific concern. The issue stems from a brief drop in electrical power during specific engine restart conditions that can interrupt the camera system before it fully loads, and the problem may occur when a vehicle is restarted shortly after being turned off.

No TX 350 model year has accumulated enough complaint data for CarComplaints to publish a PainRank ranking. The 2024 TX 350 shares the 24V-461 airbag recall with all other 2024 TX variants. Your pre-purchase checks on any TX 350:

• Confirm recall 24V-461 is closed (2024 units only)
• Confirm recall 26V-162 software update has been completed (all model years)
• Inspect windshield and door seals for the build-quality issues documented on 2024 units

Lexus TX 500h years to avoid

The TX 500h uses a turbocharged hybrid powertrain paired with a six-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission and the Lexus DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system. It has been offered since the 2024 model year.

The TX 500h shares the 2024 airbag recall (24V-461) with all other 2024 TX variants, as that recall covers the TX350, TX500H, and TX550H+ equally. Unlike the TX 350, the TX 500h is not named in the rearview camera recall (26V-162), which is limited to non-hybrid TX350 vehicles. No TX 500h-specific powertrain complaint cluster has emerged in NHTSA data to date.

No TX 500h model year has accumulated enough complaint data separate from the overall TX record to flag a specific avoid year. If you are shopping a used 2024 TX 500h, confirm the 24V-461 airbag remedy has been performed and request full service records. The 2025 and 2026 TX 500h are the cleaner picks given their lower overall complaint volumes.

Lexus TX 550h+ years to avoid

The TX 550h+ is the plug-in hybrid variant, adding a larger battery pack and a V6-based hybrid drivetrain to the TX platform. Owners report combined MPG figures around 36 mpg with EV driving factored in, making it the most fuel-efficient TX option for owners with short daily commutes. It has been offered since the 2024 model year.

Like the TX 500h, the TX 550h+ shares the 2024 airbag recall (24V-461) and is not named in the TX350-specific rearview camera recall. No TX 550h+-specific powertrain or battery complaint cluster appears in NHTSA data at this time. The model is too new and low-volume to have a meaningful avoid-year record separate from the parent TX data.

For any used 2024 TX 550h+, confirm the 24V-461 airbag replacement has been completed. A transmission fluid leak when parked check is always prudent on a used plug-in hybrid. The 2025 and 2026 TX 550h+ carry the same lower complaint profile as their sibling variants.

Lexus TX pre-purchase checklist

Before you buy a used Lexus TX, verify these model-specific items in addition to your standard mechanic inspection and vehicle history report, all assessments here follow the Editorial Guidelines that govern how complaint data and recall severity are weighted across every vehicle we cover:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker: Confirm recall 24V-461 (airbag ejection mitigation) is closed on any 2024 TX350, TX500h, or TX550h+, and recall 26V-162 (rearview camera) is closed on any 2024-2026 TX350.
• On a 2024 TX, verify airbag remedy documentation: Ask the seller for the dealer service record showing the curtain shield airbag replacement under 24V-461 was physically completed - not just scheduled.
• Inspect the windshield perimeter seal: Consumer Reports owner surveys for 2024 flag loose windshield seals specifically, with one owner noting “Front seal on bottom of outside of windshield is loose.” Press on the seal at all four corners and listen for wind noise on a highway test drive.
• Test the rearview camera on startup and after a quick restart: On any TX350, shift to reverse immediately after restarting a warm engine to check whether the camera loads reliably - this replicates the condition behind recall 26V-162.
• Check the load-carrying capacity label: On 2024-2026 TX350 and TX500h vehicles, confirm the label has been corrected under the tire-selection recall.
• Scan for electrical faults: Request a full OBD-II scan before purchase; electrical system complaints are the third most-reported category in NHTSA’s TX database.
• Review full service records: Look for documented maintenance on the 2.4L turbo (TX 350) or hybrid battery service (TX 500h / TX 550h+), and confirm no unresolved open recalls appear in the VIN check.

Better alternatives to consider

If the Lexus TX years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Lexus GX 460 - a body-on-frame Lexus three-row with a longer production run and a clearer model-year reliability record for used-car buyers
• Lexus ES 350 - a front-wheel-drive luxury sedan with a multi-decade production history and lower overall ownership costs than the TX
• Toyota Grand Highlander - shares the TX’s platform and powertrains at a lower price point, with similar recall exposure but broader dealer service availability
• Lexus RX (2023-2025) - a two-row alternative with a more established complaint record and above-average Consumer Reports reliability scores in its latest generation