RoadVitals

2021 Lexus RX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
69
Latest Dec 19, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 20, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
9 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 69 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Lexus RX, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and seat belts categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 44 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags4761.0%
  • Driver assistance56.5%
  • Seat belts45.2%
  • Body & structure45.2%
  • Brakes33.9%
  • Electrical33.9%
  • Visibility22.6%
  • Engine22.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
23V865000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Dec 20, 2023
999,901 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 23TA15, 23LA03View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 69
Airbags
Filed Dec 19, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11706097
Incident
Dec 19, 2025
Airbags
Filed Dec 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the SRS alert message was displayed. The passenger’s side seat belt warning light was illuminated for two minutes. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the repair was not available until January 2026 for the West Coast. The dealer informed the contact about a possible diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer declined to accept a Trade-In due to the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the repair was not available and offered the contact a rental vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

NHTSA ID
11704288
Incident
Aug 25, 2025
Mileage
76,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX-450H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that whenever a handbag was placed on the front passenger’s seat, the air bag warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11703968
Incident
Dec 18, 2023
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 8, 2025

The tire (Bridgestone Ecopia 422 Plus 235/55R 20 102V M+S) failed within seconds while driving on the highway at 70 MPH. Luckily I did not lose control and was able to steer the car from the middle lane to the birm thanks to the semi driver on my right who allowed us to get off the road quickly. There was almost no rubber remaining on the rim and the tire pressure sensor was gone. The tow truck driver and NTB tire technician said the tire appeared to have failed due to delamination of the steel belt. Subsequent searches on the internet seem to support belt failure as the cause of the rapid loss of the tire. Walmart has refunded the cost of the failed tire. Bridestone is being less than helpful relative to the remaining three tires, which have less than 2,000 miles on them.

NHTSA ID
11703747
Incident
Nov 23, 2025
Airbags
Filed Dec 4, 2025

When can I expect to get my recalled Lexus fixed,? All i can find is that they have no remedy, so the dealer cant replace the faulty occupant air bag sensor, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 23V865000 Report Date: DEC 19, 2023 Vehicles Affected: 999901

NHTSA ID
11702885
Incident
Dec 19, 2023
Airbags
Filed Nov 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX450H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts for the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the parts had not been available since receiving the recall notification two years ago. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11699934
Incident
Nov 17, 2025
Airbags
Filed Oct 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11693440
Incident
Oct 14, 2025
Airbags
Filed Sep 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX350. The contact recently purchased the vehicle. The contact later obtained a Carfax report and identified an unrepaired recall associated with the VIN. The unrepaired recall was NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that there was no unrepaired recall related to the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11690572
Incident
Sep 30, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

L-SB-0057-22 Rev2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 2, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0004-26.

L-SB-0004-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation System, require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

23LD01

STRUCTURE:BODY

23LD01 Expired on November 30, 2025 The involved RX350 vehicles equipped with the Tow Prep Package did not have the Tow Converter installed.

23LD01

STRUCTURE:BODY

23LD01 Expired on November 30, 2025 The involved RX350 vehicles equipped with the Tow Prep Package did not have the Tow Converter installed.

23LD01

STRUCTURE:BODY

23LD01 Expired on November 30, 2025 TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN 23LD01 TOW CONVERTER NOT INSTALLED CERTAIN 2021 MODEL YEAR RX350

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus RX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026320—
2025184066.9
2024544058.2
2023553058.8
2022280050.5
2021Viewing691054.7
2020441054.9
2019331056.6
2018240045.5
2017460051.0
2016280042.2
2015200053.8
2014110050.6
2013190057.2
2012110041.8
2011290055.4
2010760048.0
2009340040.9
2008700044.6
2007580140.6
2006311152.3
2005271157.4
2004401148.1
2003400—
2002120052.3
2001190032.3
2000290034.1
1999350033.0

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.