I hear that early RX 4th Generation have 8 speed transmission issues, anyone know about this?
Other issues with 4th Generation you know about?
thanks

 

Very few people actually have issues. Personally, I’d find a car you like, test drive it, and if the money works out, buy it. (I have zero issues with my 2021)

 

I would skip the years 2016-2017. If you read the forums hear will get a better picture. I also have 0 issues with my 2018.

 

Car Care Nut touches on the 4th gen very broadly around the 9:05 mark. If you don’t want to watch - he states model years 2016 & 2017 are more prone to problems. But I will echo others here, it really comes down to previous maintenance history on used vehicles. Just because you get a 2016 doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to have these issues.

 

Thanks for all of the replies, I do watch the Car Care Nut, he is excellent and his Vids have helped me on a few DIY for my 2015 RX 350 which has been very good so far. I'm considering buying another 2015 RX as well used as I am good with this 3rd gen version and know it.
The 4th gen may offer slightly better fuel mileage due to the 8 speed transmission. However, to go from a used 80,000 mileage 2015 3rd gen to a 2019-2020 4th generation with 80,000 miles is about 50%+ more in the vehicle $ cost. Yes, moving up 4-5 years newer and some newer features which is a plus.
Any comments?

 

I had a 2015 RX 350 years ago and really loved it. I drive a 21 RX 350 now and it has its advantages (lane keep assist + adaptive cruise makes traffic jams and long drives better, Apple carplay, more attractive body style IMO). However, the 3rd gen was a slightly better driving experience for me mainly due to its transmission. The 4th gen transmission in the RX 350 can be a PITA / pretty clunky to drive around town / stop and go. Once you’re up to speed it’s awesome though and really everything else about the vehicle is A++. You also learn to manage around the awkward shift patterns (mainly upshifting too quickly) over time but pretty much every drive I’ll find myself annoyed at least once by too much shifting. It’s just the nature of more gears. I would recommend driving a 4th gen for a day or so (maybe rent one on Turo?) to see if you are OK with it.

As far as problems, my 2021 has 42k miles and I just had the rear trailing arms replaced under warranty. They were squeaking going over speed humps. It was really more of an annoyance than a safety or mechanical problem.

 

Hi thanks for that comparison you gave me it is excellent info. I may test drive a 4th generation.

 

I have had zero issues with my 2020 RX350....other than short tire life.....24000.

 

Our 2016 has over 80k miles on it now and has been a great vehicle, reliable and predictable. Regular preventative maintenance and just a few wear parts that needed replacing when symptoms arose. Some people cannot believe the age/mileage as it has held up solid, inside and out. No regrets here!

 

All the years are fine, get a 2019 and above if you want to use remote start. Select 2018's and years prior has enform discontinued. For all the 4th gens, the most important thing is to change the coolant every 50k miles, especially if you live in colder climates. The 4th gen has a thermostat heater, if not warmed up properly and driven too hard when cold it'll super heats parts of the coolant which significantly degrades the coolant making it acidic. This is why i personally think they went with plastic for the water pump housing along with plastic tubes going to the radiator from their metal counterparts. For around 100-120k miles if the coolant is neglected you wont see much issues but there is irreversible corrosion damage happening. Also change your oil every 5-7500 miles 10k is just too long.

As for the transmission issues, it drives like ***** till it warms up, thats just how toyota transmissions are, doesnt mean theres an issue with the longevity or mechanical issues with it just doesnt drive nice cold. The fluid is not life time and dont listen to any dealership that tells you otherwise, change it every 50-75k miles. If its above 100k just do fill and drains no flushes.

 

That’s why you get the 450h - no shifting issues

 

I have a 2017 and I can confirm it has transmission issues. Lexus knows about it and they performed a software update, but it did not totally resolve the problem.
If you listen to music using an iPhone, I can also state that there are issues with music coming on when you don’t want it to. With the introduction of CarPlay on 2018 models I believe this is no longer a problem.
I would assume both of these issues would occur with 2016 models, too.
Personally, I would stick with 2018 or newer.

 

I've had a 2016 & 2020 no problems with either. Liked the 2020 better because it had CarPlay.
Anything before 2019 remote features doesn't work due to cellular service changed to 5G if that's important to you.