AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
2021 Lexus RX
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 71 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Lexus RX, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and brakes 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| Jan 2022 | 2 | 3 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 4 |
| Aug 2022 | 2 | 6 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 7 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 8 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 9 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 10 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 11 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 12 |
| Apr 2024 | 2 | 14 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 15 |
| Jun 2024 | 3 | 18 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 19 |
| Sep 2024 | 3 | 22 |
| Oct 2024 | 2 | 24 |
| Nov 2024 | 6 | 30 |
| Dec 2024 | 9 | 39 |
| Jan 2025 | 5 | 44 |
| Feb 2025 | 2 | 46 |
| Mar 2025 | 2 | 48 |
| Apr 2025 | 2 | 50 |
| May 2025 | 2 | 52 |
| Jun 2025 | 5 | 57 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 58 |
| Aug 2025 | 2 | 60 |
| Sep 2025 | 2 | 62 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 63 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 64 |
| Dec 2025 | 5 | 69 |
| Sep 2026 | 1 | 70 |
| Nov 2026 | 1 | 71 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags4758.8%
- Driver assistance56.3%
- Brakes45.0%
- Seat belts45.0%
- Electrical45.0%
- Body & structure45.0%
- Visibility22.5%
- Engine22.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
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.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
There is a 'clunk' in the rear when I hit a bump just right. AI says it could be a rear trailing arm bushing. Why is this not a safety issue ?
- NHTSA ID
- 11776556
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2024
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. Approximately 3 months after this event, a routine service visit revealed the rear brake pads had worn from 8mm (measured at time of purchase) to 2mm (failed), while the front pads wore from 10mm to 7.8mm (normal wear) over the same period and mileage. The rear pads wore roughly 3 times faster than the front, which is inconsistent with normal vehicle operation, since front brakes handle proportionally more braking load and are fitted with larger rotors for this reason on this and virtually all vehicles. The rear brake caliper is the only caliper equipped with the EPB motor/actuator; the front calipers are purely hydraulic. The selling dealer's pre-purchase report also noted noise from the rear brakes at time of purchase, which is consistent with the EPB's position calibration having been disrupted at some point prior to my ownership (e.g., from a prior battery event or service) and never properly relearned/recalibrated afterward — producing a low-level drag from the outset. My own battery failure event (voltage measured below 10V) would then have compounded this already-uncalibrated system, worsening the drag and producing the rapid 6mm of wear observed in the following months. This points to one underlying EPB calibration fault, aggravated by repeated voltage instability over time, rather than an unrelated mechanical issue — see attached documents for more information.
- NHTSA ID
- 11767292
- Incident
- Sep 25, 2026
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
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
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
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
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
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
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 2, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 60.6 |
| 2025 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 64.2 |
| 2024 | 62 | 4 | 0 | 56.3 |
| 2023 | 62 | 3 | 0 | 58.5 |
| 2022 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 2021Viewing | 71 | 1 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2020 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 53.7 |
| 2019 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 55.1 |
| 2018 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 47.8 |
| 2017 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 51.1 |
| 2016 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 37.0 |
| 2015 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 53.8 |
| 2014 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 53.6 |
| 2013 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 54.5 |
| 2012 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 41.9 |
| 2011 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 53.4 |
| 2010 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 47.9 |
| 2009 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 38.9 |
| 2008 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 42.9 |
| 2007 | 58 | 0 | 1 | 38.0 |
| 2006 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 52.0 |
| 2005 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 50.6 |
| 2004 | 40 | 1 | 1 | 48.1 |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 52.3 |
| 2001 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 32.3 |
| 2000 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 34.1 |
| 1999 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 33.0 |
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.