2021 Lexus NX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Lexus NX has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 5th worst out of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 17 complaints, with Visibility & Wipers issues (24% share) as the top problem area, and no recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #5 of 11 NX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 17
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 22 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2021 Lexus NX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers4 (24%)
- Brakes3 (18%)
- Engine3 (18%)
- Fuel System3 (18%)
- Electrical System2 (12%)
- Other2 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (12%)
- Airbags1 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (6%)
- Lane Departure1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Side and rear-view mirrors shake or vibrate at highway speed, making it hard to see vehicles in blind spots.
- One owner reported a side mirror suddenly breaking apart while driving, with fragments flying near pedestrians.
- Sunroof glass has shattered while the vehicle was parked, with no apparent impact.
- Owners describe brake failure after repeated pedal attempts while descending a steep driveway, leading to a crash.
- Warning lights activated in sequence along with loss of air conditioning and power brakes, followed by an engine fire.
- Front tires have lost air suddenly at highway speed, described by owners as blowouts rather than slow leaks.
2021 Lexus NX recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other NX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Lexus NX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 NX a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th worst among the 11 model years with data. It has 17 complaints and no recalls.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Lexus NX?
- Visibility & Wipers issues make up 24% of complaints, mostly involving mirrors that shake or vibrate at highway speed.
- Does the 2021 Lexus NX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2021 Lexus NX.
- How does the 2021 Lexus NX compare to other NX years?
- The 2021 NX's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than 2015-2020 and better than 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, which carry Caution or Avoid verdicts with indexes of 70-100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Lexus NX?
- The 2021 NX gets 24.5 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.