Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 80/100 (EXCELLENT)

2021 Lexus GX Reliability Report

The 2021 Lexus GX has excellent reliability, with one owner complaint and no recalls, putting it well above average among 2021 SUVs.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

0.3per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$551

Annual Fuel Cost

$4,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity71/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity71/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Only one owner complaint and no recalls, the lightest complaint record among the 2020 to 2022 years, which all share the same excellent standing.

Top Issues to Watch

LANE DEPARTURE (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2021 is 1 year after the second facelift refresh.

Year 12 in the Second generation (J150) (2010–2023).
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
2nd generation GX (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2010: Second generation (J150) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2014: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2020: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is 1 year after the second facelift refresh.

Should You Buy the 2021 Lexus GX?

Yes, this year holds up well. Reliability is excellent, and it sits well above average among 2021 SUVs. Within the GX lineup it lands in the middle of the nine scored model years, so it is solid but not the top pick. The 2020 and 2022 models rate about the same.

Owners have little to report. Only one complaint was filed for this year, and the data does not say what it was about. Federal recall records show no recalls, so nothing here keeps the car off the road or calls for a dealer fix. There is no repeating symptom to warn you about.

Because the record is so thin, the condition of the individual vehicle matters more than the model year. Ask for the repair and service history, and run the VIN for open recalls before you pay. If you find a better example of a 2020 or 2022, those years are a fair swap. They show 4 and 7 complaints and no recalls.

Compared to the 2022 Lexus GX, which scored 1 points higher. See also the 2020 Lexus GX for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong reliability score
+No recalls issued
+Below-average complaint rate for SUV
+Well-established generation
+Only 1 complaints reported

Cons

−LANE DEPARTURE (1)

Compare 2021 Lexus GX With

2021 BMW X5

Reliability: 57/100

Mixed

2021 Audi Q7

Reliability: 59/100

Mixed

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Reliability: 65/100

Good

2021 BMW X6

Reliability: 60/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Other

LOW RISK

LANE DEPARTURE (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2021 Lexus GX — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

0.3

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 16.7

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Lexus GX? Check its history first

Lane departure problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Lexus GX, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Lexus GX NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 0.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Restraint (Not Available)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Torso (Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Lexus GXRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$551

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

2021 Lexus GX Example Repair Prices

National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.

Common repair costs and price estimates
Repair	Estimated Cost
Brake Hose Replacement	$227 – $291
Blower Motor Replacement	$442 – $478
Drive Axle Assembly Leak Inspection	$76 – $112
AC Compressor Clutch Replacement	$1,424 – $1,566
Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement	$358 – $466
Axle Shaft Seal Replacement	$431 – $618
Liftgate Glass Support Strut Replacement	$188 – $217
Heater Hose Replacement	$417 – $517
Parking Brake Shoe Replacement	$477 – $619
Air Conditioning Receiver Drier Assembly Replacement	$544 – $852

Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

16 MPG

Running cost: $4,850/yr

Fuel + repair

15 city / 19 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
GX 460 4.6L 8-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	15	19	16	$4,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Lexus GX.

Verify blind spot monitoring system activates at correct distance
Test lane departure warning system for proper functionality
Inspect side mirror indicator lights for correct timing
Check for any software updates related to safety systems

2021 Lexus GX Common Problems by Component

1 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

LANE DEPARTURE

1 complaint

2023-01-11

i PURCHASED THE GX460 TO AQUIRE THE NEW SAFETY BSM SYSTEM. THE OWNERS MANUAL (PG366) REQIRES THE SIDE MIRROR INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AT 9.8 FEET BEHIND THE REAR BUMPER OF MY VEHIVLE. THE LIGHT ON THE SIDE MIRROR COMES ON WHEN THE VEHICLE PASSING ME IS AT MY REAR BUMPER MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO CHANGE LANES AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE APPROACHING VEHICLE ENOUGH TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION. I HAVE CHECKED WITH 2 DEALERS AND BOTH SAID THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT FOR THIS CONDITION. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO HAVE ONE DEALER CHECK THE COMPUTER AND WAS TOLD ALL IS NORMAL. I ASKED MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW TO WHITNESS THIS EVENT FROM THE BACK SEAT AND SHE VARIFIED MY FINDINGS.

Best & Worst Lexus GX Years

Best Lexus GX Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Excellent

Lexus GX Years to Avoid

No Lexus GX years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 77 and 84 across 9 scored model years.

See full Lexus GX years-to-avoid analysis

Lexus GX Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Lexus GX reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	77/100	Good
2019	78/100	Good
2020	81/100	Excellent
2021	80/100	Excellent
2022	81/100	Excellent
2023	81/100	Excellent
2024	77/100	Good
2025	78/100	Good
2026	84/100	Excellent

Lexus GX Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	84/100	+6	Excellent	0	0
2025	78/100	+1	Good	1	7
2024	77/100	-4	Good	2	13
2023	81/100	0	Excellent	0	5
2022	81/100	+1	Excellent	0	7
2021(selected)	80/100	-1	Excellent	0	1
2020	81/100	+3	Excellent	0	4
2019	78/100	+1	Good	1	8
2018	77/100	—	Good	2	8

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Lexus GX reliable?

Yes. Its reliability standing is excellent, and it rates well above average against other 2021 SUVs. Owners filed just one complaint, and federal recall records list none. Among the nine scored GX model years it sits in the middle, so it is dependable but not the single best year.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lexus GX?

No common problem shows up in the data. Owners filed one complaint for this year, and it does not point to a repeating failure. There are no recalls on record. Check the specific vehicle's repair history, since a single car can still have its own issues.

Does the 2021 Lexus GX have any recalls?

No. Federal recall records show zero recalls for the 2021 model year. The 2020 and 2022 GX years also show none. Recall records can change, so run the VIN of the exact vehicle before buying to confirm nothing is open.

How does the 2021 Lexus GX compare with the 2020 and 2022 models?

They rate about the same. All three years have excellent reliability and no recalls. The 2021 has the fewest owner complaints, with 1 against 4 for the 2020 and 7 for the 2022. Those gaps are small, so pick on the condition of the car.

How many complaints does the 2021 Lexus GX have?

Owners filed one complaint, which works out to 0.3 per 10,000 sold. That is a very low count. The data does not describe what the complaint was about, so it gives no sign of a specific weak spot.

Don’t buy a 2021 Lexus GX without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Lexus GX

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Lexus GX does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on how many systems draw complaints (71/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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