2020 Lexus NX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Lexus NX has a complaint index of 70, ranking 4th-worst out of 11 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine problems account for 43% of complaints and fuel system issues 38%, though no recalls have been issued for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #4 of 11 NX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 21
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 22 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2020 Lexus NX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (43%)
- Fuel System8 (38%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (10%)
- Electrical System1 (5%)
- Other1 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (5%)
- Steering1 (5%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls or goes into reduced-power mode while driving, sometimes with the check engine light on and a message telling the driver to pull over.
- Vehicle fails to accelerate properly when the pedal is pressed, with dealers unable to diagnose the issue on first inspection before later tracing it to ignition coils or the cylinder head.
- Check engine light stays illuminated with an electronic fuel system failure message, accompanied by repeated stalling.
- Fuel pump fails and puts the vehicle into limp mode without warning during highway driving.
- Steering becomes difficult to operate at low speed, with the wheel veering left and right and one report of sudden unintended acceleration.
- Vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment overnight while parked and unattended.
2020 Lexus NX recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2020 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.
2020 compared with other NX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Lexus NX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 NX a complaint index of 70, the 4th-worst among 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine (43% of complaints) and fuel system (38%) are the main problem areas.
- Does the 2020 Lexus NX have any recalls?
- No, NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2020 Lexus NX.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Lexus NX?
- Engine problems make up 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 55,581.5 miles, including stalling, rough idling, and one reported fire.
- How does the 2020 NX compare to other Lexus NX years?
- Model years 2016, 2017, and 2018 all earned a Best verdict with complaint indexes of 20, 10, and 0. The 2020 NX, at a complaint index of 70, ranks worse than those years but better than 2022, 2024, and 2025, which are rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Lexus NX?
- The 2020 NX gets 24.5 mpg combined (22 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250 according to the EPA.