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Lexus NXModel year report

2021 Lexus NX Problems

Complaints
17filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
38,859miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 3 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Lexus NX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lexus NX. The part named most often is visibility, with 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by engine (3) and fuel system (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,859 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 41 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Lane departure (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “As I was driving, , I suddenly heard a very loud noise. I didn’t know what it was till I was going to turn to look at the side view mirror of any cars or pedestrians passing. Then only I realized it was my right view mirror that suddenly blew up.. I was lucky that it didn’t blew up in crosswalk where people were standing or waiting to cross because the fragments could have hit anyone..”

NHTSA complaint #11606265, filed 2024-08

Engine: “While driving our Lexus on 8/13/2023 on the interstate under normal driving conditions ALL of our warning lights came on one after another. We also lost air conditioning and power brakes it seemed. We immediately exited and pulled over. Opened the hood and the engine caught fire and fully engulfed the engine compartment. From the time of the first warning light to the vehicle being engulfed was probably 5 - 7 minutes. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. …”

NHTSA complaint #11553141, filed 2023-11

Fuel system: “My vehicle has slowed while driving four times within the last 12 months. I have taken it to the Hendrick Lexus dealership in Charlotte as well as the Scott Clark Toyota dealership in Charlotte. I was told by the Lexus dealership they could not find anything wrong (this was back in July 2025). The Toyota dealership stated (March 2026) that there may be a problem with the fuel pump, but they were unable to confirm this issue and after getting the vehicle back the same thing happened while driving. This has been concerning. It is very dangerous for us to drive the vehicle at this point. …”

NHTSA complaint #11730073, filed 2026-04

Other or unknown: “Vehicle began exhibiting multiple electrical safety issues around April 2025. EMF (electromagnetic field) levels were measured and found to be excessively high, causing physical discomfort and triggering health concerns for my disabled son and me. We both sought medical attention. Two independent mechanics inspected the vehicle and confirmed it showed signs of water intrusion or exposure to hazardous materials — including corrosion, damage to internal components, and abnormal underbody residue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11678322, filed 2025-08

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,718 and 40,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–25100%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 38,859 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2021202220232024520252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Lexus NX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
NX 300 · SUV AWD★★★★★4 / 4544 · 16.0% risk
NX 300 · SUV FWD★★★★★4 / 4544 · 16.1% risk
NX 300H · SUV AWD★★★★★4 / 4544 · 16.0% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Lexus NX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
NX 300 FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic222825$3,300
NX 300 AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic222824$3,400
NX 300 AWD F Sport2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic222724$3,400
NX 300h AWD2.5L 4-cyl · hybridCVT333031$2,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2021 Lexus NX in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 41 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 41 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus NX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202668500—24—Too new
2025186,3555—28—Too new
20244519,5005—39Too new to compareToo new
20231712,5004—39—Too new
20222747,7483——76 · MoreRising
20211738,8590525—Rising
20202255,5820—31—Rising
20193010,3501—3150 · TypicalFalling
201816136,0000—31—Rising
20171147,9700—31—Not enough data
20161884,0001—32—Stable
20152651,0001—320 · FewerStable

All Lexus NX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Lexus NX have?

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lexus NX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Lexus NX is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by engine with 3.

Has the 2021 Lexus NX been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Lexus NX do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Lexus NX 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 3 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Lexus NX get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Lexus NX (NX 300, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Lexus NX reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,859 miles and the middle half falls between 37,718 and 40,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.