Last updated: 2026-03-04
2021 Lexus UX Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2021 Lexus UX scores 80/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 2 owner complaints.
2021 is year 3 of the First generation (ZA10).
Recalls
0
Complaints
2
Complaint Rate
1.1
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$551
Major Repair Risk
N/A
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.
Top Issues
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is year 3 of the First generation (ZA10).
- Redesigned for the 2019 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- A refresh arrives in 2023.
- 1st generation UX (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
First generation (ZA10)
Should You Buy the 2021 Lexus UX?
The 2021 Lexus UX earns an Excellent 80/100 reliability score. 2021 is year 3 of the First generation (ZA10).
Its complaint rate (1.1 per 10k sold) sits below the SUV segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.
A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, whether purchased new or used.
Compared to the 2022 Lexus UX, which scored the same. See also the 2020 Lexus UX 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
- TIRES (1)
Compare 2021 Lexus UX With
2021 BMW X1
Score: 75/100
2021 Audi Q3
Score: 74/100
2021 Porsche Macan
Score: 59/100
2021 Volvo XC60
Score: 75/100
2021 Nissan Kicks
Score: 78/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
- TIRES (1)
- VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
The 2021 Lexus UX has no recalls on record, which is uncommon and a positive indicator of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
1.1
per 10k soldSegment avg: 17
Safety Incidents
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 Lexus UX NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 14.0%
Safety Technologies
Lexus UX Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based 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 UX Example Repair Prices
National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.
| Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Alternator Replacement | $576 – $648 |
| Coil Spring Replacement | $1,136 – $1,471 |
| OBDII Drive Cycle Test | $76 – $112 |
| Powertrain Control System Diagnosis & Testing | $76 – $112 |
| Air Conditioning System Leak Inspection | $153 – $224 |
| Pinion Seal Replacement | $539 – $767 |
| Power Seat Switch Replacement | $481 – $538 |
| Suspension System Inspect | $122 – $179 |
| Catalytic Converter Replacement | $2,327 – $2,498 |
| Brake Booster Replacement | $2,136 – $2,542 |
Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.
When Buying a Used 2021 Lexus UX
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect rear window tint for visibility issues
- Verify presence of spare tire and necessary tools
- Test tire pressure monitoring system for consistent operation
- Check run flat tires for abnormal wear or directional instability
Check Any 2021 Lexus UX's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2021 UX in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Lexus UX with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2021 Lexus UX Common Problems by Component
2 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
TIRES
1 complaintThis vehicle has run flat tires oem, tire flat warning light comes on for a while then goes off for a long time then comes back on. Tires behave like they want to go on their own direction. Vehicle came with no emergency spare tire or tools to replace tires.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaintRear glass window is much to dark in standard oem built in tint into window. Can only see out clearly in broad day light otherwise much too dark. We have been involved in several near back up collisions even though we have a back up camera, we are used to looking back through the rear window and outside rear view mirrors. We have complained to Toyota by phone and checked for recalls. WE like the to have this rear window replaced with an oem like window with minimal tint. We have no safe options other than to trade in this SUV. The consumer stated the tint was removed and there is no longer a safety concern with the windows. However, the consumer does have concern with the vehicle having a spare tire well but no spare tire located in the vehicle.
Best & Worst Lexus UX Years
Best Lexus UX Years to Buy
The best Lexus UX year is 2020 with a reliability score of 84/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2024 (80/100) and 2023 (80/100).
Lexus UX Years to Avoid
No Lexus UX years are statistical outliers in our data — all years score consistently.
See full Lexus UX years-to-avoid analysis →Lexus UX Reliability Score Trend
Lexus UX reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 80/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 84/100 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 77/100 | Good |
Lexus UX Reliability Compared to Other Years
2021 Lexus UX Common Questions
10 questions from 2021 Lexus UX owners.
2007 Lexus IS 250 run rough and one at idle wants to shut off help
My 2007 Lexus IS 250 started running rough . Check engine light is on VSC light is on – as well.got codes of a P0172, P0175, P0303. Took it for repairs they diagnosed the ignition system cleaned the mass airflow sensor fuel injection was clean. Replaced fuel injector cylinder three and reset computer now it is worse and more codes popped up. New codes are P0 300, P0171, P0174, P0355, and P0351. It is not overheating. It is not leaking. No other issues pop up. I do not know what’s wrong with it. More than a month
Stalling and stopping
My vehicle only has 30,800,000 miles. If the fuel pump which is a recalled part is the manufacture responsible There is no way of knowing, it stalls when accelerating A few days
No power steering
i just bought a 2006 lexus rx400h and i have zero power steering, a p/s light and "check hybrid system" and "check vsc system" as well as p1421, p3298, c1310, c1336 codes, it has a brand new car battery More than a week
Braking malfunction
After about 100 miles all the dash lites came on,cel,anti skid parking brake ECT. It said pull over right away and have towed to dealer. Well I was not to far from home so drove it home. The brake pedal was very hard to push so I drove slow and tried not to use brake pedal. I could use it if I did it gently. Next morning , drove it to shop and they called me back and said they got a code c1247 which was brake pedal stroke sensor. Replaced that and had it calibrated. After driving around 70 miles it did the same thing. Stiff brake ,lites on dash, so took it back and it came back with the same code so they erased the code on the obd and it drives perfect until I hit the 70 mi and does it again. This has happened like 5times and even took it to different shops. All they do is reset code and they tell me it is good to go .Could it be in the brake booster? When I tell them the problem is still there they all have said " it's probably the abs module but they are just guessing. Booster? When the dash lites are off it rides perfect for 70 miles or so More than a month
Repair estimate
Is it worth it to repair a 2007 Lexus RX400h that needs the compressor, condenser and hybrid battery replaced? Car no longer turns on. The heat/AC would make the car run rough. More than a month
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Lexus UX reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lexus UX?
How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus UX have?
Is the 2021 Lexus UX expensive to maintain?
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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