2021 Lexus NX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Lexus NX has 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is visibility problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: driver side mirror shakes when traveling on highway, making it difficult to see other vehicles clearly in blindspots. manufacture closed case saying they called the dealership and my mirror doesn't shake any more than other models. dealership confirmed most of the nx300 mirrors side view mirrors sh. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 1 crash report 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

VISIBILITY

4 complaints

15%

• Driver side mirror shakes when traveling on highway, making it difficult to see other vehicles clearly in blindspots. Manufacture closed case saying they called the dealership and my mirror doesn't shake any more than other models. Dealership confirmed most of the nx300 mirrors side view mirrors sh
• 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 wher
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Driver side mirror shakes when traveling on highway, making it difficult to see other vehicles clearly in blindspots. Manufacture closed case saying they called the dealership and my mirror doesn't shake any more than other models. Dealership confirmed most of the nx300 mirrors side view mirrors sh”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

3 complaints

12%

• 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
• 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
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

3 complaints

12%

• 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 engulfe
• 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 eng
• 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 mech

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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 engulfe”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

12%

• My sunroof exploded outward while I was driving on the highway. It sounded like a gunshot and sent glass flying everywhere. There was no prior damage to the sunroof which is why I fully believe the materials- glass and frame were defective which led to the explosion
• 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 eng
• 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 me

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“My sunroof exploded outward while I was driving on the highway. It sounded like a gunshot and sent glass flying everywhere. There was no prior damage to the sunroof which is why I fully believe the materials- glass and frame were defective which led to the explosion”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

3 complaints

12%

• 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 eng
• 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 T
• 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 mech

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 eng”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 26 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: Driver side mirror shakes when traveling on highway, making it difficult to see other vehicles clearly in blindspots. Manufacture closed case saying they called the dealership and my mirror doesn't shake any more than other models. Dealership confirmed most of the nx300 mirrors side view mirrors sh
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
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 engulfe
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: My sunroof exploded outward while I was driving on the highway. It sounded like a gunshot and sent glass flying everywhere. There was no prior damage to the sunroof which is why I fully believe the materials- glass and frame were defective which led to the explosion
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)