Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 82/100 (EXCELLENT)

2021 Lexus NX Reliability Report

Name: 2021 Lexus NX
Brand: Lexus

The 2021 Lexus NX scores 82/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 30 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

5.1per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$551

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,750–$2,900

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity76/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity79/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.

Top Issues to Watch

VISIBILITY (3)
TIRES (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2021 is the last model year of the First generation (AZ10; 2014).

Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
3 years after the last refresh (2018).
1st generation NX (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

2015: First generation (AZ10; 2014) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2018: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is the last model year of the First generation (AZ10; 2014).

Should You Buy the 2021 Lexus NX?

The 2021 Lexus NX earns an Excellent 82/100 reliability score. 2021 is the last model year of the First generation (AZ10; 2014).

At 5.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold, its complaint rate sits below the SUV segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.

A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.

Compared to the 2022 Lexus NX, which scored 7 points lower. See also the 2020 Lexus NX for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong reliability score
+No recalls issued
+Below-average complaint rate for SUV
+5-star NHTSA crash rating
+Well-established generation

Cons

−VISIBILITY: Owners of the 2021 Lexus NX report issues related to the vehicle's visibility... (3 complaints)
−2 fire incidents reported in owner complaints

Compare 2021 Lexus NX With

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Reliability: 65/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK

VISIBILITY (3)
TIRES (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

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

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

5.1

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 17.5

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

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

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Lexus NX? Check its history first

Every 2021 Lexus NX has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Lexus NX NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 16.1%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Seat Pan Airbag)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 NXRepair 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 NX 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
Air Bag Clockspring Replacement	$1,037 – $1,094
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Recover	$61 – $90
Check Engine Light Diagnosis & Testing	$153 – $224
Air Conditioning System Leak Inspection	$153 – $224
Transmission Position Sensor Replacement	$322 – $386
Headlight Bulb Replacement	$289 – $317
Body Control System Diagnosis & Testing	$61 – $90
Fuel Evaporative Canister Replacement	$707 – $771
Horn Replacement	$395 – $509
Intercooler Replacement	$1,069 – $1,368

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

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

24–25 MPG

Running cost: $3,300–$3,450/yr

Fuel + repair

22 city / 27–28 hwy MPG

Hybrid

31 MPG

Running cost: $2,500/yr

Fuel + repair

33 city / 30 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
NX 300 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	22	28	25	$2,750
NX 300 AWD 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	22	28	24	$2,900
NX 300 AWD F Sport 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	22	27	24	$2,900

Hybrid trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
NX 300h AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S6)	33	30	31	$1,950

Used Buying Checklist

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

Inspect for sunroof glass integrity and check for any signs of cracking or stress
Test side view mirrors for stability at highway speeds to ensure clear visibility
Check for any unusual noises from the braking system during a test drive
Verify all electrical systems, including GPS and interior lighting, for proper function
Inspect tires for wear and potential sidewall damage, especially if original equipment Yokohama Geolandar

2021 Lexus NX Common Problems by Component

30 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

VISIBILITY (3)TIRES (2)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)SERVICE BRAKES (2)FUEL SYSTEM (1)AIR BAGS (1)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)LANE DEPARTURE (1)Other (2)

VISIBILITY

3 complaints

Owners of the 2021 Lexus NX report issues related to the vehicle's visibility components. Multiple complaints describe incidents of sunroof glass shattering without any apparent impact, with one report specifying the failure occurring at a mileage of 37,718. Additionally, there are reports of side view mirrors malfunctioning; one owner notes a vibrating left-hand side mirror that affects visibility, while another describes a right side view mirror that unexpectedly shattered while driving. These issues pose potential safety risks, particularly the mirror problems which could impair the driver's ability to monitor surrounding traffic.

3 complaints total

TIRES

2 complaints

Owners of the 2021 Lexus NX report issues with tire blowouts, specifically involving rapid air deflation. Complaints frequently mention sudden loss of air pressure, making steering difficult and potentially compromising safety, particularly when driving at moderate speeds such as 35 to 50 mph. The affected tires are reported as original equipment Yokohama Geolandar, with incidents occurring around 26,650 miles. In both cases, the low tire pressure warning light activates as the tire deflates rapidly, and one owner notes damage to the sidewall after driving on a deflated tire. These incidents highlight potential safety implications, such as loss of vehicle control and the need for immediate attention to tire condition when warning indicators appear.

2 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaintsSafety-related

Owners of the 2021 Lexus NX report issues with the electrical system, including high electromagnetic field levels causing discomfort and health concerns, and system errors such as malfunctioning GPS and flickering interior lights. One owner describes serious electrical instability potentially linked to water intrusion, with symptoms appearing around April 2025. Another owner reports a fire incident occurring at approximately 15,000 miles, where the engine compartment caught fire shortly after all warning lights activated, leading to a total vehicle loss. These complaints highlight safety implications, with two injuries reported and one vehicle fire, underscoring potential risks for buyers considering this model.

2 complaints total1 fire2 injuries

SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaintsSafety-related

Owners of the 2021 Lexus NX report issues with the service brakes, primarily involving brake failure and persistent noise. One owner describes a crash incident where the brakes allegedly failed while descending a steep driveway, with no warning lamps observed. Another owner reports recurring cracking sounds from the brake area, with multiple dealership visits failing to resolve the issue, despite repeated brake component replacements. These complaints suggest that problems may occur as early as 8,000 miles, with unresolved issues persisting over several months. Safety implications are significant, with one crash reported and ongoing fears of potential brake failure.

2 complaints total1 crash

FUEL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2023-03-24

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.

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

2025-01-17

The passenger airbag light is constantly on. When no one is sitting on the chair, the light states that the air bag is off and when someone is sitting in the chair, the airbag light states that it is on. I just purchased this used car a month ago from a Toyota dealership. Two weeks in with no accident whatsoever, the problem had occurred. I noticed the airbag light turned on when I first purchased the car but it would quickly turned off completely after a while.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

2024-08-10

My sunroof exploded outward while I was driving on the highway. It sounded like a gunshot and sent glass flying everywhere. There was no prior damage to the sunroof which is why I fully believe the materials- glass and frame were defective which led to the explosion

LANE DEPARTURE (1 complaints)

LANE DEPARTURE

1 complaint

2022-10-13

The forward collision not working when it raining. I took to a dealership and they said they test the system not the car and everything it okay. I did a test myself today (10/13/2022),and the system didn't work. They advertised that on national tv and it not working. The sales person convinced me to get this car because it very safe for my family, and failed miserably. What lexus is doing called false advertisements, and I need your help to fix this situation with my car please.

SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

2022-03-20

middle seat belt in rear seat jammed and would not retract. dealer had to fix

VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

2021-08-21

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 .

When Do 2021 Lexus NX Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

26,000–27,000 milesTire blowouts

15,000 milesElectrical system failures

Best & Worst Lexus NX Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Lexus NX Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Lexus NX year is 2021 with a reliability score of 82/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2020 (82/100) and 2018 (79/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

2021

(Current Model)

0Recalls

30Complaints

Excellent

2020

0Recalls

26Complaints

Good

2018

1Recalls

36Complaints

Lexus NX Years to Avoid

No Lexus NX years are statistical outliers in our data.

All model years score consistently well. The Lexus NX maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.

See full Lexus NX years-to-avoid analysis

Lexus NX Reliability Score Trend

Lexus NX reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 78/100.

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

Lexus NX reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	79/100	Good
2019	77/100	Good
2020	82/100	Excellent
2021	82/100	Excellent
2022	75/100	Good
2023	77/100	Good
2024	77/100	Good
2025	77/100	Good

Lexus NX Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	77/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	0	0
2025	77/100	0	Good	7	13
2024	77/100	0	Good	14	129
2023	77/100	+2	Good	10	27
2022	75/100	-7	Good	13	19
2021(selected)	82/100	0	Excellent	0	30
2020	82/100	+5	Excellent	0	26
2019	77/100	-2	Good	2	41
2018	79/100	—	Good	1	36

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Lexus NX reliable?

Yes, the 2021 Lexus NX is considered highly reliable with a score of 82/100 ("Excellent"). It has 0 recalls and a complaint rate below the segment average, placing it among the more dependable vehicles in its class.

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

The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 Lexus NX include: VISIBILITY (3 complaints), TIRES (2 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints), SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints), FUEL SYSTEM (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.

How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus NX have?

The 2021 Lexus NX has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

Is the 2021 Lexus NX expensive to maintain?

Maintenance cost estimates aren't available for the 2021 Lexus NX, but its high reliability score of 82/100 and complaint rate below the segment average suggest below-average ownership costs.

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

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Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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