2015 Lexus RC 350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data updated: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Seats is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 7 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seats | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Seats: 4; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Seats leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11051252 · 2017-11-29 (November 29, 2017)
NOTHING TOOK PLACE THAT RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL BEHAVIOR TO OCCUR....THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS AS IF IT HAS SOME SORT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT; THEN AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF ON-GOING BLINKING,IT HAS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. ULTIMATELY, THE LEFT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS COMPLETELY OUT WHICH IS DANGEROUS (ILLEGAL) TO DRIVE WITH OUT IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11051252 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
7 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 457.1%ODI 10748834 · 3,500 miWHEN I'M USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS NICE AND COOL BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE MY BACK IS BEING HEATED. I ALWAYS HAVE VENTILATION ON LOWEST SETTING. THE TOP OF THE SEAT BETWEEN SHOULDER BLADES... VERY HOT!??? SERIOUSLY. I FELT IT WITH MY HAND, AS IF THE VENTILATION WAS SHORTING THE HEATING ELEMENTS. IT STAYED HOT A WHILE AFTER I TURNED OFF VENTILATION. THEN IT COOLED. HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME ON MY WAY HOME. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT WAS COOLING BUT MID BACK THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT. TURNING IT OFF DID CUT THE HEAT AND THEN IT WOULD CO… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 114.3%ODI 11098675 · 15,599 miBAD SMELL COMING FROM THE HVAC. HAVE TAKEN I TO THE DELLER THREE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM AND THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11433006Traveling distance of 0.2 miles in a residential complex with 15 mph speed limit, on an uneven road that loops around. The road goes on a slight incline as it bends towards the left reaching my parking destination, a 2-car stall. At slow speed I made a right turn into the stall (a break-release-break maneuver) when the car lurched and suddenly picked up speed. Visualizing a wide pedal in the middle I hard-pressed the brakes with my right foot, same time thinking I should not pass the white post (about halfway of the stall) instinctively put my… | 1100.0%ODI 11397716 · 2,000 miMY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME ON DECEMBER 9, 2020 AT ABOUT 4:00PM WHEN HER PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR EXPLODED ON HER 2020 RC 350 LEXUS. MY WIFE SAID "IT SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB EXPLODED NEXT TO THE CAR" SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN A TWO-LANE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL SHE WORKS AT AND THE MIRROR EXPLODED--BLOWING THE FRONT MIRRO OFF AND LEAVING A GAPING HOLE ON THE FRONT OR OPPOSING SIDE. |
| Electrical System | 228.6%ODI 10748834 · 3,500 miWHEN I'M USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS NICE AND COOL BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE MY BACK IS BEING HEATED. I ALWAYS HAVE VENTILATION ON LOWEST SETTING. THE TOP OF THE SEAT BETWEEN SHOULDER BLADES... VERY HOT!??? SERIOUSLY. I FELT IT WITH MY HAND, AS IF THE VENTILATION WAS SHORTING THE HEATING ELEMENTS. IT STAYED HOT A WHILE AFTER I TURNED OFF VENTILATION. THEN IT COOLED. HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME ON MY WAY HOME. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT WAS COOLING BUT MID BACK THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT. TURNING IT OFF DID CUT THE HEAT AND THEN IT WOULD CO… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 11506326Fuel pump noise near gas tank. Abnormally loud. Intermittently | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11433006Traveling distance of 0.2 miles in a residential complex with 15 mph speed limit, on an uneven road that loops around. The road goes on a slight incline as it bends towards the left reaching my parking destination, a 2-car stall. At slow speed I made a right turn into the stall (a break-release-break maneuver) when the car lurched and suddenly picked up speed. Visualizing a wide pedal in the middle I hard-pressed the brakes with my right foot, same time thinking I should not pass the white post (about halfway of the stall) instinctively put my… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11109959THE CAR HAS BRAKES THAT ARE MAKING LOUD NOISE AND AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES AND ROTORS FROM THE DEALER THE CAR BRAKING IS QUESTIONABLE AND SUB-PAR COMPARED TO WHEN THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. I AM AFRAID THAT THE POOR BRAKES IS A PUBLIC CONCERN. THE CERRITOS LEXUS DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE CAR HAS FLAWED BRAKES AND LEXUS CORPORATE AGREED BUT HAS NOT TAKEN ACTION TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE BRAKING ABILITY AND HAS REDUCED THE USE OF THE VEHICLE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11433006Traveling distance of 0.2 miles in a residential complex with 15 mph speed limit, on an uneven road that loops around. The road goes on a slight incline as it bends towards the left reaching my parking destination, a 2-car stall. At slow speed I made a right turn into the stall (a break-release-break maneuver) when the car lurched and suddenly picked up speed. Visualizing a wide pedal in the middle I hard-pressed the brakes with my right foot, same time thinking I should not pass the white post (about halfway of the stall) instinctively put my… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11375384 · 15,005 miROUGH ENGINE SPEED. ALL MOST STALL DURING FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR. LIKE LOW FUEL PRESSURE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting | 114.3%ODI 11051252 · 25,000 miNOTHING TOOK PLACE THAT RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL BEHAVIOR TO OCCUR....THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS AS IF IT HAS SOME SORT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT; THEN AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF ON-GOING BLINKING,IT HAS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. ULTIMATELY, THE LEFT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS COMPLETELY OUT WHICH IS DANGEROUS (ILLEGAL) TO DRIVE WITH OUT IT. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11375384 · 15,005 miROUGH ENGINE SPEED. ALL MOST STALL DURING FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR. LIKE LOW FUEL PRESSURE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | Too few reports for a range | 3,050 mi | 4 (sparse) | ODI 10748834 · 3,500 miWHEN I'M USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS NICE AND COOL BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE MY BACK IS BEING HEATED. I ALWAYS HAVE VENTILATION ON LOWEST SETTING. THE TOP OF THE SEAT BETWEEN SHOULDER BLADES... VERY HOT!??? SERIOUSLY. I FELT IT WITH MY HAND, AS IF THE VENTILATION WAS SHORTING THE HEATING ELEMENTS. IT STAYED HOT A WHILE AFTER I TURNED OFF VENTILATION. THEN IT COOLED. HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME ON MY WAY HOME. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT WAS COOLING BUT MID BACK THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT. TURNING IT OFF DID CUT THE HEAT AND THEN IT WOULD CO… ODI 10761786 · 600 miWHEN I AM USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS COOL AND FEELS GOOD BUT THE BACK UPPER PORTION NEAR SHOULDER BLADES FEELS LIKE ITS BEING HEATED. I HAVE THE COLD AIR ON IN THE CAR AND THE COLD AIR ON IN THE SEATS AND I CAN HAVE BOTH AT MAXIMUM COOL AND IT WILL STILL HEAT UP. WORSE IS THAT IT IS RANDOM BUT HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON OTHER CARS TOO AS SEEN IN FORUMS. WHEN YOU TURN THE COOLING SEATS OFF IT WILL COOL DOWN AND WHEN YOU TURN THEM BACK ON THEN IT WILL HEAT UP AGAIN. ODI 10881898 · 5,000 miWHEN VENTILATED SEAT IS TURNED ON THE BACK HEAT UP AND GETS REALLY HOT! IT'S ALMOST LIKE BURNING HOT. ONLY THE BOTTOM FEELS COOL. |
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 2,050 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10748834 · 3,500 miWHEN I'M USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS NICE AND COOL BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE MY BACK IS BEING HEATED. I ALWAYS HAVE VENTILATION ON LOWEST SETTING. THE TOP OF THE SEAT BETWEEN SHOULDER BLADES... VERY HOT!??? SERIOUSLY. I FELT IT WITH MY HAND, AS IF THE VENTILATION WAS SHORTING THE HEATING ELEMENTS. IT STAYED HOT A WHILE AFTER I TURNED OFF VENTILATION. THEN IT COOLED. HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME ON MY WAY HOME. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT WAS COOLING BUT MID BACK THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT. TURNING IT OFF DID CUT THE HEAT AND THEN IT WOULD CO… ODI 10761786 · 600 miWHEN I AM USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS COOL AND FEELS GOOD BUT THE BACK UPPER PORTION NEAR SHOULDER BLADES FEELS LIKE ITS BEING HEATED. I HAVE THE COLD AIR ON IN THE CAR AND THE COLD AIR ON IN THE SEATS AND I CAN HAVE BOTH AT MAXIMUM COOL AND IT WILL STILL HEAT UP. WORSE IS THAT IT IS RANDOM BUT HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON OTHER CARS TOO AS SEEN IN FORUMS. WHEN YOU TURN THE COOLING SEATS OFF IT WILL COOL DOWN AND WHEN YOU TURN THEM BACK ON THEN IT WILL HEAT UP AGAIN. |
| Exterior Lighting | Too few reports for a range | 25,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11051252 · 25,000 miNOTHING TOOK PLACE THAT RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL BEHAVIOR TO OCCUR....THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS AS IF IT HAS SOME SORT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT; THEN AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF ON-GOING BLINKING,IT HAS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. ULTIMATELY, THE LEFT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS COMPLETELY OUT WHICH IS DANGEROUS (ILLEGAL) TO DRIVE WITH OUT IT. |
| Structure:Body | Too few reports for a range | 18,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10991954 · 18,000 miON JANUARY 11 MY SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 146 IN BAYTOWN TX 5:08PM, NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WENT OFF. I TOOK TO STERLING MCCALL LEXUS IN HOUSTON TX MY SERVICE ADVISOR CLAIMED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER DAMAGE. MUST HAVE SOMETHING ELSE AS CAUSE TO SUNROOF EXPLODING. I HAD TO USE MY INSURANCE COVERAGE WITH $500 DEDUCTIBLE. I GOT RID OF THE CAR SOLD IT TO TEXAS AUTO DIRECT TAKING A 1000 LOST TO GET OUT MY LEASE AGREEMENT |
| Unknown Or Other | Too few reports for a range | 15,599 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11098675 · 15,599 miBAD SMELL COMING FROM THE HVAC. HAVE TAKEN I TO THE DELLER THREE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM AND THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2019: 3 complaints · 2020: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Seats | Electrical System | Exterior Lighting | Structure:Body | Unknown Or Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | — | 2ODI 10748834 · 3,500 miWHEN I'M USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS NICE AND COOL BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE MY BACK IS BEING HEATED. I ALWAYS HAVE VENTILATION ON LOWEST SETTING. THE TOP OF THE SEAT BETWEEN SHOULDER BLADES... VERY HOT!??? SERIOUSLY. I FELT IT WITH MY HAND, AS IF THE VENTILATION WAS SHORTING THE HEATING ELEMENTS. IT STAYED HOT A WHILE AFTER I TURNED OFF VENTILATION. THEN IT COOLED. HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME ON MY WAY HOME. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT WAS COOLING BUT MID BACK THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT. TURNING IT OFF DID CUT THE HEAT AND THEN IT WOULD CO… ODI 10761786 · 600 miWHEN I AM USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS COOL AND FEELS GOOD BUT THE BACK UPPER PORTION NEAR SHOULDER BLADES FEELS LIKE ITS BEING HEATED. I HAVE THE COLD AIR ON IN THE CAR AND THE COLD AIR ON IN THE SEATS AND I CAN HAVE BOTH AT MAXIMUM COOL AND IT WILL STILL HEAT UP. WORSE IS THAT IT IS RANDOM BUT HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON OTHER CARS TOO AS SEEN IN FORUMS. WHEN YOU TURN THE COOLING SEATS OFF IT WILL COOL DOWN AND WHEN YOU TURN THEM BACK ON THEN IT WILL HEAT UP AGAIN. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2ODI 10748834 · 3,500 miWHEN I'M USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS NICE AND COOL BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE MY BACK IS BEING HEATED. I ALWAYS HAVE VENTILATION ON LOWEST SETTING. THE TOP OF THE SEAT BETWEEN SHOULDER BLADES... VERY HOT!??? SERIOUSLY. I FELT IT WITH MY HAND, AS IF THE VENTILATION WAS SHORTING THE HEATING ELEMENTS. IT STAYED HOT A WHILE AFTER I TURNED OFF VENTILATION. THEN IT COOLED. HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME ON MY WAY HOME. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT WAS COOLING BUT MID BACK THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT. TURNING IT OFF DID CUT THE HEAT AND THEN IT WOULD CO… ODI 10761786 · 600 miWHEN I AM USING MY VENTILATED SEATS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS COOL AND FEELS GOOD BUT THE BACK UPPER PORTION NEAR SHOULDER BLADES FEELS LIKE ITS BEING HEATED. I HAVE THE COLD AIR ON IN THE CAR AND THE COLD AIR ON IN THE SEATS AND I CAN HAVE BOTH AT MAXIMUM COOL AND IT WILL STILL HEAT UP. WORSE IS THAT IT IS RANDOM BUT HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON OTHER CARS TOO AS SEEN IN FORUMS. WHEN YOU TURN THE COOLING SEATS OFF IT WILL COOL DOWN AND WHEN YOU TURN THEM BACK ON THEN IT WILL HEAT UP AGAIN. | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Body | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.