2021 Lexus NX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Lexus NX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility418.2%
- Fuel system313.6%
- Engine313.6%
- Electrical29.1%
- Tires & wheels29.1%
- Brakes29.1%
- Driver assistance14.5%
- Other / unspecified14.5%
- Seat belts14.5%
- Exterior lighting14.5%
- Body & structure14.5%
- Airbags14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus NX300. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, his father heard the car alarm sounding off. The contact went to inspect the vehicle and saw that sunroof glass had shattered. The contact stated that he reviewed the home security footage and observed that the sunroof glass had not been impacted by an object for the sunroof glass to shatter. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,718.
The left-hand side outer rear-view mirror vibrates while driving causing safety hazard as it is difficult to clearly see cars behind, or potentially passing while the glass is shaking; yes it is risky; the Lexus dealer in Frederick CO has confirmed the problem. There is currently a warning for other years with the same problem; this is a 2021 NX 300
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The high-pressure fuel pump and related fuel system sensor failed, resulting in a sudden loss of engine power. The failure was confirmed by diagnostic trouble codes retrieved by an independent mechanic. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost power and became inoperable, leaving me unable to accelerate or maintain speed. This created a dangerous situation with surrounding traffic, including a truck traveling behind me, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision or crash. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. An independent mechanic retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating failure of the high-pressure fuel pump and related sensor. A dealership acknowledged the issue but was unable to reproduce the problem at the time of inspection because the codes had cleared. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealership after being towed. No police or insurance inspections were conducted. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no significant warning signs prior to the sudden loss of power. The failure occurred unexpectedly while driving. Diagnostic codes were retrieved immediately after the incident but were no longer present during the dealership inspection.
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. I see that there has been a safety recall introduced in the state of Georgia at a Smyrna Lexus dealership, but I have yet to see any other information. I would greatly appreciate an investigation. Thank you.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The high-pressure fuel pump and related fuel system sensor failed, resulting in a sudden loss of engine power. The failure was confirmed by diagnostic trouble codes retrieved by an independent mechanic. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost power and became inoperable, leaving me unable to accelerate or maintain speed. This created a dangerous situation with surrounding traffic, including a truck traveling behind me, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision or crash. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. An independent mechanic retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating failure of the high-pressure fuel pump and related sensor. A dealership acknowledged the issue but was unable to reproduce the problem at the time of inspection because the codes had cleared. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealership after being towed. No police or insurance inspections were conducted. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no significant warning signs prior to the sudden loss of power. The failure occurred unexpectedly while driving. Diagnostic codes were retrieved immediately after the incident but were no longer present during the dealership inspection.
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus NX300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle slowly lost automotive power and decelerated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted the vehicle to continue driving normally. The contact stated that the check engine, traction control, and Service Soon warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. I reported this to Lexus in April and also submitted a lemon claim, but they have failed to act or resolve the matter despite multiple follow-ups. Additional issues include malfunctioning GPS, flickering interior lighting, and system errors suggesting possible electrical instability. I no longer feel safe operating the vehicle due to the ongoing risks and lack of manufacturer response. This is a serious failure of duty to inform, inspect, or repair — and may indicate deeper electrical or structural defects that pose risk to others.
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. We filed a product liability claim with Lexus/Toyota and they investigated the vehicle on or around 8/28/2023 and were not able to determine a cause of the fire. Because they could not determine a cause our claim was denied. Our car was perfectly maintained and only had 15,000 miles on it at the time of the fire. We bought this vehicle new almost two years to the day of the fire and believe the fire was caused by a defective part. We understand it is very difficult to determine the cause of an automobile engine fire. Other comments below: We do not know where the vehicle is now as there was an insurance claim and the insurance company only held it for 30 days. Our safety and the safety of others was at risk luckily no one was injured. Problem has not been reproduced or reviewed by an independent service center. Vehicle was inspected. All electrical warning lights came on
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving 35 MPH in right lane, heard popping sound from driver side front tire, difficult to steer car as air deflated immediately from tire, pulled over to side of road. Was difficult steering car after tire deflated, felt at risk and had 94 year old passenger in car. tow truck driver stated it looked like a defective tire. warning light of low tire pressure came on as the tire rapidly deflated tire size 225/65R 17
This is an original equipment Yokohama Geolandar tire with 26,650 miles size 225/60R18. We were traveling on I-80 through a work zone at 50 mph. We noticed our tire pressure indicator was lit. On a separate info screen, I could see the pressure on each tire and watched the passenger front tire at 14 psi and then decline. This told me we had a blowout rather than a leak. The other 3 tires were at the normal 35 psi. Through the work zone, the shoulder was closed, so I had to drive on the tire with inflation below 10 psi until I reached an area wide enough to safely pull over, about 2 miles. The blowout was surprising as we did not hit anything and there were no potholes. Everything was normal until the tire pressure light came on. On inspection at the Lexus dealer, they were unable to determine the cause but noted damage on the sidewall due to driving at low inflation.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Coming down a steep, narrow, long driveway leading from a private home on a hill, and moving forward in low gear, I allege that the brakes failed. After 3-5 attempts at braking, we came off the cement driveway as we accelerated and slid off the side of the hill, turning over onto the driver's side of the car and coming to rest near a dropoff, held by the branches of an oak tree. Fire engines came, and the Jaws of Life were applied, basically demolishing the car (which did hold together as we slid along). The seat belts also did their job. The car was removed from the towing yard in Grover Beach, CA, to Fresno, CA, whereupon the car's computer was inspected by an engineer hired by Lexus. He reported no failures. Besides me, the driver, there were two other occupants. My sister has sustained whiplash, and her boyfriend is having some pain in his hip. I seem to be fine. The other occupants were held in place by the seat belts. I was held by my belt and was also resting against the side air bag on the driver's door. The passenger's front side air bag also deployed. There is no confirmation of a problem by the dealer or an independent service center, unless the engineer counts as independent. Other than the engineer, I don't know of any inspection of the vehicle. The Highway Patrol was on the scene but did not write a report as we were on private property. No warning lamps came on that I observed.
I am writing to express my deep disappointment with the service I have received regarding my 2021 Lexus NX 300, which I purchased pre-owned in October 2022 with approximately 8,000 miles. I trusted in Lexus's renowned reputation for luxury, dependability, and premium comfort. However, my experience with your service department has significantly diminished that trust. Since my initial report of a recurring issue with the braking system on [XXX], 2023, where I heard a cracking sound in the tire and brake area as if the brakes and wheels were about to fail, I have made multiple visits to the dealership. These visits include: [XXX], 2023: Initial concern reported. No findings were made. [XXX], 2023: Returned to the dealership, noise was noticed, and advised that the braking pins required replacing. Left the dealership with a louder noise issue. [XXX], 2023: Christopher Villacreses acknowledged a few complaints regarding the braking system but stated there was no solution and no recall on the vehicle. When questioned about persistent issues, he advised to bring the car back but was unsure if it would be covered under warranty. [XXX], 2024: After filing a complaint with Corporate, Tim, the Master Technician, was assigned to check the vehicle. I was provided with a loaner car for a week. Upon returning, no explanation of the problem was given, despite my deep concerns for my family's safety. [XXX], 2024: Following a complaint with NCDS, Lexus replaced all brakes on the vehicle. However, the problem persisted and seemingly worsened. Despite five subsequent visits and repeated attempts to address the issue, including replacing the brake kits, pins, and all four brake pads, the problem remains unresolved. I am in fear that my brakes may fail while driving, potentially causing injury to my family or others due to this defect. I feel manipulated by the corporation's lack of transparency regarding the issue, and I no feel safe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The forward collision not working when it raining. I took to a dealership and they said they test the system not the car and everything it okay. I did a test myself today (10/13/2022),and the system didn't work. They advertised that on national tv and it not working. The sales person convinced me to get this car because it very safe for my family, and failed miserably. What lexus is doing called false advertisements, and I need your help to fix this situation with my car please.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Lexus NX300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle slowly lost automotive power and decelerated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted the vehicle to continue driving normally. The contact stated that the check engine, traction control, and Service Soon warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
middle seat belt in rear seat jammed and would not retract. dealer had to fix
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. I reported this to Lexus in April and also submitted a lemon claim, but they have failed to act or resolve the matter despite multiple follow-ups. Additional issues include malfunctioning GPS, flickering interior lighting, and system errors suggesting possible electrical instability. I no longer feel safe operating the vehicle due to the ongoing risks and lack of manufacturer response. This is a serious failure of duty to inform, inspect, or repair — and may indicate deeper electrical or structural defects that pose risk to others.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. We filed a product liability claim with Lexus/Toyota and they investigated the vehicle on or around 8/28/2023 and were not able to determine a cause of the fire. Because they could not determine a cause our claim was denied. Our car was perfectly maintained and only had 15,000 miles on it at the time of the fire. We bought this vehicle new almost two years to the day of the fire and believe the fire was caused by a defective part. We understand it is very difficult to determine the cause of an automobile engine fire. Other comments below: We do not know where the vehicle is now as there was an insurance claim and the insurance company only held it for 30 days. Our safety and the safety of others was at risk luckily no one was injured. Problem has not been reproduced or reviewed by an independent service center. Vehicle was inspected. All electrical warning lights came on
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The passenger airbag light is constantly on. When no one is sitting on the chair, the light states that the air bag is off and when someone is sitting in the chair, the airbag light states that it is on. I just purchased this used car a month ago from a Toyota dealership. Two weeks in with no accident whatsoever, the problem had occurred. I noticed the airbag light turned on when I first purchased the car but it would quickly turned off completely after a while.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .