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Lexus · Compact car

2017 Lexus RC

Gas
Subcompact Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA9
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA26 mpg
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2017 Lexus RC is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RC 200t, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 9 complaints, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
RC 200tGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223226$3,000
RC 350GasRWD3.5L 6-cyl192822$3,500
RC 300 AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl192621$3,700
RC 350 AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl192621$3,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38192, 38189, 38188, 38190.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2017 Lexus RC is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

26LB05/26LA05
9,139 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.RiskFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB05 and 26LA05.
NHTSA campaign 26V222000reported Apr 8, 2026Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TA02, 20LA01
1,525,742 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200,RiskIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an
NHTSA campaign 20V682000reported Nov 4, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TB02/20TA02/20LB01
1,830,752 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200TRiskIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
NHTSA campaign 20V012000reported Jan 13, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
9complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System5
Unspecified4
Engine1
Service Brakes1
Electrical System1
Power Train1

What owners describe

“26V222 Recall. The dealership won’t do my recall. I don’t get why they can’t give me the part and I sign a waiver for it. I’m owed a part for my car.”Sep 8, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“Vehicle does had a hard time starting and now does not start. Research indicates this is a known problem on this vehicle but my vehicle doesn’t seem to be included in the recall The main recall for the Lexus RC200t is due to a failing low-pressure fuel pump, which can cause the engine to stall while driving.”Dec 1, 2025 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“Both rear shock absorbers failed simultaneously, with no rebound control. Shock failure made the vehicle very difficult to control on any uneven surface, especially while cornering. Yes, problem was confirmed by dealer and both rear shocks were replaced. Inspected by dealer No warning lights or other indications of fai…”Jul 26, 2021 · Suspension · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other RC model years

A

2025 Lexus RC

0 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2024 Lexus RC

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2023 Lexus RC

0 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2022 Lexus RC

2 recalls · 1 complaints

B

2021 Lexus RC

2 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2020 Lexus RC

2 recalls · 2 complaints

C

2019 Lexus RC

3 recalls · 4 complaints

D

2018 Lexus RC

3 recalls · 2 complaints

A

2016 Lexus RC

1 recalls · 3 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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