YearToAvoid

2017 Lexus NX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

10/100

#10 most-complained of 11 NX years

The 2017 Lexus NX has a complaint index of 10, the lowest of all 11 model years covered, and ranks as the Best year. It has 11 complaints, 0 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls.

Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24.5
22 city / 28 hwy

Top 2017 Lexus NX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (27%)
  2. Brakes2 (18%)
  3. Electrical System2 (18%)
  4. Engine2 (18%)
  5. Other2 (18%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (18%)
  7. Airbags1 (9%)
  8. Fuel System1 (9%)
  9. Steering1 (9%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, sometimes ending in a collision with a barrier or object.
  • Some describe the emergency braking system activating on its own at freeway speeds, causing the rear wheels to lock up and the vehicle to skid.
  • One owner reported the power steering suddenly becoming very difficult to turn at low speed, with a warning message and the failure persisting after restart.
  • Others describe the fuel system limiting speed and cutting off unexpectedly, with the check engine and traction control lights coming on.
  • A water pump was reported to leak coolant before 40,000 miles, which the owner was told could lead to engine damage if not replaced.
  • Owners also mention a trunk that would not unlatch and a burnt spot appearing on a heated front seat.
2017 Lexus NX complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2021Jan 2022Nov 2022Jul 2023Feb 2024
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to May 2024; peak Dec 2022 (3).

2017 Lexus NX recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2017 Lexus NX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
24.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other NX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Good4026125
2016Best2017125
2017Best1011024.5
2018Best016024.5
2019Good3030124.5

All Lexus NX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Lexus NX reliable based on NHTSA data?
Yes, relative to other NX years. It has a complaint index of 10, the lowest among the 11 model years tracked, and carries a 'Best' verdict with 0 recalls.
Does the 2017 Lexus NX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2017 NX, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
What is the top complaint area for the 2017 Lexus NX?
Collision Avoidance & Cameras is the top problem area, accounting for 3 of 11 complaints (27%) and 2 of the 4 crashes reported.
How does the 2017 NX compare to later years like 2022 or 2024?
The 2017 NX has a much lower complaint index (10) than 2022 (80) and 2024 (100), both rated Avoid, making 2017 one of the better years for this model.
What mileage do 2017 NX problems typically show up at?
Reported failure mileages vary; the median mileage at failure recorded overall for this year is 47,970 miles, though specific issues like the engine water pump were reported at 72,925 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.