2021 Lexus RX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
58,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 69 complaints (68.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 7.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 47 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
Air Bags: 47; Unknown Or Other: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 4; Seat Belts: 4; Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 66 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 30 |
2021: 1; 2022: 6; 2023: 2; 2024: 30; 2025: 30
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11427620 · 2021-08-03 (August 3, 2021)
The drain system failed to properly route water out of the car after heavy rain and an automatic car wash in two separate incidents. The water would leak through the sunroof along the edges and leak down into the passenger side compartment and land on the floor mats.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447138 · 2022-01-12 (January 12, 2022)
I had previously owned a 2018 Lexus RX350L that came with OEM Michelin Premier LTX tires. That car handled very well on rain, snow and ice. I eventually replaced those tires with Continental Crosscontact LX25 that were even better to the point that I woud say they were excellent on snow and ice. When I purchased my 2021 Lexus RX350 F Sport, it came with Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus tires in 235 / 55 R 20. The Bridgestone tires were more prone to hydroplaning but I was able to adjust driving in wet rainy situations. The Bridgestone tires howe…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11447138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11449642 · 2022-01-31 (January 31, 2022)
while driving on the interstate the moon roof exploded into little glass fragments. It sound like a bomb going off. if the slider would have been open, it would have been critical for anyone sitting in the back seat There was no other cars around me or in front of me. it was day light and nothing hit the car
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11449642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11476356 · 2022-07-28 (July 28, 2022)
The sole occupant driver drove into a slightly elevated driveway and stopped. The driveway is maybe 5 degree incline. The shift select lever was placed in Park and the Driver visually confirmed it was in park. Driver sat in the car for 12 seconds before exiting the vehicle with the engine running and AC on. The driver exited and was standing outside of the vehicle with both feet on the ground for 6 seconds reaching back inside at which time the vehicle began to suddenly roll down the driveway causing injury to the driver. This seems to be a fa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11476356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478762 · 2022-08-11 (August 11, 2022)
I was involved in a single car accident in which the vehicle went off of the road hit an embankment and the vehicle bounced. The front drivers side hip and shoulder seat belt did not engage, and sustained a compression fracture to the vertebrae. The passenger front seat belt at the hip did engage with the sudden stop but the shoulder harness did not engage. The back seat passenger seat belt did fully engage and resulted in seat belt markings to the right shoulder and clavicle area of the passenger requiring evaluation at the Emergency Depart…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11481539 · 2022-08-27 (August 27, 2022)
The PCS detected another car in front and my car went into PARK, but kept rolling and the engine revved to 7500 rpm.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11481539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11487212 · 2022-09-30 (September 30, 2022)
Motor Vehicle accident with damage to vehicle front end and drivers side quarter panel. Vehicle was not drivable and required towing service at the scene. Front seat belts of the vehicle failed to engage resulting in the driver being bounced up in the seat and then down resulting in a serious compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine. An inspection was completed of the vehicle by a third party and reported to the Toyota Claims department on August 19, 2022. Toyota did respond with notification related to the results of the inspect…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11487212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11523165 · 2023-05-22 (May 22, 2023)
1.) My SUV locked up when I swerved to avoid hitting a car in front of me. 2.) My vehicle wouldn't stop and I had no control over it as it "threw me around" the highway. The only reason it stop was when it collided with another vehicle. 3.) It is sitting at the collision center right now waiting to be worked on. 4.) The insurance adjuster. 5.) The message that came on was "brake."
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11523165 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V865000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2023-12-20 (December 20, 2023)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
NHTSA campaign record ↗