Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the wipers and visibility, electrical, and brakes. The 7 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/7 checked
2021 Lexus NX: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2021's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Lexus NX. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cylGas | AWD, FWD | 24–25 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cylHybrid | AWD | 31 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Lexus NX, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Glass breaks or shakes with no clear cause. Side mirror glass can burst while the car is moving, with a loud bang and flying fragments. Sunroof glass also shatters while the car sits parked, with no sign of anything hitting it. Another pattern is a driver's side mirror that vibrates at speed, which blurs the view of traffic behind and alongside. A dealer confirmed the vibration in one report. Only one report gives a mileage, so no clear onset pattern shows up.
Electrical faults here range from cascading warning lights to an engine fire. In the fire report, every dash warning came on, air conditioning and brake assist seemed to drop out, and the engine compartment burned within minutes. The car was a total loss, and the manufacturer could not find a cause. Other reports describe several electrical problems at once, including a faulty GPS and flickering, with independent mechanics finding corrosion and signs of water intrusion. Two people report injuries.
Brakes are alleged to fail or make alarming noises. In the most serious case, the driver pressed the brakes several times while heading down a steep driveway in low gear, but the car kept moving and slid off a hillside, ending in a rollover crash. Other reports describe a recurring cracking sound from the wheel and brake area that suggests something is about to fail. Repeated dealer visits turned up nothing, and the noise came back. No clear mileage pattern appears.
Original-equipment tires blow out or lose air quickly with no pothole or debris involved. Drivers hear a pop or see the tire pressure warning, then watch pressure on one front tire drop fast. Once the tire deflates, steering gets hard, and the risk is greater at speed or when there is no safe shoulder. A tow driver called one failed tire defective. Reports cover two different tire sizes, and only one gives a mileage, so no onset pattern is clear.
Excerpts from complaints NX owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
As I was driving, , I suddenly heard a very loud noise. I didn’t know what it was till I was going to turn to look at the side view mirror of any cars or pedestrians passing. Then only I realized it was my right view mirror that suddenly blew up.. I was lucky that it didn’t blew up in crosswalk where people were standing or waiting to cross because the fragments could have hit anyone..
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
The left-hand side outer rear-view mirror vibrates while driving causing safety hazard as it is difficult to clearly see cars behind, or potentially passing while the glass is shaking; yes it is risky; the Lexus dealer in Frederick CO has confirmed the problem. There is currently a warning for other years with the same problem; this is a 2021 NX 300
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
Driving 35 MPH in right lane, heard popping sound from driver side front tire, difficult to steer car as air deflated immediately from tire, pulled over to side of road. Was difficult steering car after tire deflated, felt at risk and had 94 year old passenger in car. tow truck driver stated it looked like a defective tire. warning light of low tire pressure came on as the tire rapidly deflated tire size 225/65R 17
Filed with NHTSA, November 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 NX years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the seventh model year of the NX's first generation (2015–2021).
It includes the 2018 update.
What changed for 2018
Cars shoppers compare with the Lexus NX, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
