The Lexus RX 350 is an impressive addition to the luxury crossover segment. With upscale touchpoints, user-friendly technology, and a robust list of safety standards, consumers are flocking to learn more. There may be a Lexus RX 350 in your future, in which case, there a few things you should know before you take the leap.

Today, we’ll highlight some of the most common complaints reported by Lexus RX 350 owners so that you can make the most educated purchasing decision.

Dashboard cracking at 69,000 miles

Beware of the cracking dashboard with 2007 and 2008 RX 350 models. You might consider a crack around a gauge or within the instrument cluster as a minor and cosmetic problem. However, there were enough complaints, married with some hefty bills to replace the dash unit altogether, that make it worth mentioning.

Some RX 350 owners shared quick fixes at local repair shops, so there are remedies outside of complete replacements. However, if maintaining a pristine interior condition for your luxury SUV is a priority, you may want to be mindful of dashboard deterioration before you buy. And, at least be prepared for a $1,300-$1,600 potential replacement cost.

Power steering rack leaks at 95,000 miles

Leaking within the rack and pinion assembly, while reported often for 2007 and 2008 models – and a few reports for 2009 – appears to be semi-isolated as a problem overall. For those owners who experienced these leaks, the repairs averaged $1,300 to $1,800. Most of these reported problems, at least according to CarComplaints.com, presented just shy of the 100,000-mile mark.

Water pump failures at 51,000 miles

This concern wasn’t necessarily one of frequency as there were only a couple of instances reported. But for the handful of Lexus RX 350 owners who did experience water pump failures, they were inconvenient, to say the least.

Water pumps, especially with used vehicles at higher mileage, might seem like a typical maintenance investment. However, for the 2007 RX 350, leaks were appearing sooner than anticipated and at around 51,000 miles on average. The average cost to replace the water pump had some of these owners writing checks for $2,500.

Probability of major repairs for the Lexus RX 350

Outside of a few other issues, including a few reports of major engine leaks and shifting lag, the Lexus RX 350 is a pretty solid and reliable crossover. In reviewing the data culled by RepairPal.com, owners of these SUVs may have to visit repair shops for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.4 times each year. The probability of the repairs being significant is about eight percent, which is shy of the national average among all vehicles, which is 12 percent.

Is the 2020 Lexus RX 350 better this year?

One way to avoid repairs and inconvenient wear and tear would be to buy a new 2020 Lexus RX 350 this year. New for the 2020 model, you’ll enjoy a fresh touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. There are more standard safety features and big styling revisions for both the front and rear. Many of the first-look reviews say the RX 350 is handling with a sportier feel too. The cabin is built with high-quality materials, so you shouldn’t have concerns about cracking dashboards with this one. Cargo is impressive as well.

The Lexus RX 350, for the most part, has a minimal number of reported complaints over the years. While some expensive mechanical failures did arise, most were isolated and not indicative of a growing trend or design flaw. As with any purchase of a used vehicle, asking about these few issues that owners cited the most might help you avoid investing in the wrong Lexus RX 350. Of course, buying a new one can help you dodge lofty repair bills too.