Most common 2021 Lexus NX problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus NX complaints by model year
Best NX years: 2016, 2017. Years to avoid: 2024, 2022, 2025, 2023, 2019. Compare all years →
What 2021 Lexus NX owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof
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.
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 shake on the highway. Toyota has fixed their rav 4 mirrors, Lexus doesn't have a fix, and doesn't seem interested in finding one. The faster you go over 55 mph the more the side mirror shakes. The jiggle is about half an inch of movement, and a vibrating mirror makes it difficult to tell the difference between cars and other objects .
Engine & cooling
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. …
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.
Fuel & propulsion system
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.
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.
2021 Lexus NX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | AWD | 33 / 30 / 31 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 28 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Lexus NX a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 NX rates use caution: 2.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the NX at the same age. It is one of the NX years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Lexus NX?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 4 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rearview mirrors/devices › exterior. Next are the engine & cooling (3) and fuel & propulsion system (3).
How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus NX have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2021 Lexus NX. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus NX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2022, 2025, 2023 and 2019. See the full Lexus NX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Lexus NX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.