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BrakesPart report

2021 Lexus RX Brakes Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
6%of 70 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Lexus RX, 6% of the 70 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was at the gas station, in line waiting for one of the three gas pumps to be available. I put my car in reverse to back up and pull around another car in order to go to the open pump in front. When my car was in reverse motion, I stepped on the brake pedal, but the car did not stop. I stepped on the brake pedal numerous times, but the brake did not function. My car backed into the front of the car in line behind me damaging both vehicles. The automatic emergency braking system did not activate, and there was no rear collision warning sound or message. …”

NHTSA complaint #11684842, filed 2025-09

“Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), 12V Battery/Electrical System. My vehicle's 12V battery failed, with the dealership measuring voltage below 10V during the event. This caused multiple simultaneous module malfunctions (confirmed by the dealer as caused by the battery failure), including a complete inability to move the vehicle after jump-starting on three separate attempts — the engine ran, but the vehicle would not drive despite a functioning alternator. The vehicle's steering wheel also locked, preventing the car from being pushed to a safe location. …”

NHTSA complaint #11767292, filed 2026-09

“The sole occupant driver drove into a slightly elevated driveway and stopped. The driveway is maybe 5 degree incline. The shift select lever was placed in Park and the Driver visually confirmed it was in park. Driver sat in the car for 12 seconds before exiting the vehicle with the engine running and AC on. The driver exited and was standing outside of the vehicle with both feet on the ground for 6 seconds reaching back inside at which time the vehicle began to suddenly roll down the driveway causing injury to the driver. …”

NHTSA complaint #11476356, filed 2022-07

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202618%
2025314%
2024610%
202312%
2022517%
202146%
202012%
2019926%
2018623%
2017919%
2016414%
201515%
2014325%
2013211%
2012217%
2011414%
20101823%
200913%
20081623%
20071322%
2006722%
2005519%
200438%
200013%

Other parts of the 2021 Lexus RX

Air bags
47 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
4 complaints
Seat belts
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Engine
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Lexus RX

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology