2021 Lexus RX problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Lexus RX, most often about airbags. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
70
Recalls
1
Crashes
9
Fires
0
Injuries
9
Median mileage
58,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Airbags is the most-reported problem area, named in 47 of 70 complaints (67%).
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (5) and seats & seat belts (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 58,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 9 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries.
  • The 2021 Lexus RX has 1 recall on file.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 22 Lexus RX model years we track.
  • That is 52% more complaints than the 2020 model year (46).

2021 Lexus RX problems by category

  • Airbags · 3 crashes
    47 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 2 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 4 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Electrical System
    4 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 2 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Engine
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Air bags47
Unknown or other7
Service brakes4
Electrical system4
Seat belts4
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking4
Structure:body3
Engine2

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k130k–60k160k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 Lexus RX complaints that list mileage.

2021 Lexus RX recalls (1)

  • Recall 23V865000Dec 20, 2023999,901 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2021 Lexus RX complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 27, 2026AZBrakesElectrical System
    Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), 12V Battery/Electrical System. My vehicle's 12V battery failed, with the dealership measuring voltage below 10V during the event. This caused multiple simultaneous module malfunctions (confirmed by the dealer as caused by the battery failure), including a complete inability to move the vehicle after jump-starting on three separate attempts — the engine ran, but the vehicle would not drive despite a functioning alternator. The vehicle's…
    NHTSA complaint #11767292 · source
  2. Filed Dec 19, 2025CAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11706097 · source
  3. Filed Dec 10, 202576,000 miCAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the SRS alert message was displayed. The passenger’s side seat belt warning light was illuminated for two minutes. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the repair was not available until January 2026 for the West…
    NHTSA complaint #11704288 · source
  4. Filed Dec 9, 2025COAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX-450H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that whenever a handbag was placed on the front passenger’s seat, the air bag warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made…
    NHTSA complaint #11703968 · source
  5. Filed Dec 8, 2025SCWheels & Tires
    The tire (Bridgestone Ecopia 422 Plus 235/55R 20 102V M+S) failed within seconds while driving on the highway at 70 MPH. Luckily I did not lose control and was able to steer the car from the middle lane to the birm thanks to the semi driver on my right who allowed us to get off the road quickly. There was almost no rubber remaining on the rim and the tire pressure sensor was gone. The tow truck driver and NTB tire technician said the tire appeared to have failed due to…
    NHTSA complaint #11703747 · source
  6. Filed Dec 4, 2025UTAirbags
    When can I expect to get my recalled Lexus fixed,? All i can find is that they have no remedy, so the dealer cant replace the faulty occupant air bag sensor, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 23V865000 Report Date: DEC 19, 2023 Vehicles Affected: 999901
    NHTSA complaint #11702885 · source
  7. Filed Nov 17, 2025CAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX450H. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts for the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the parts had not been available since receiving the recall notification two years ago. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet…
    NHTSA complaint #11699934 · source
  8. Filed Oct 14, 2025CAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11693440 · source

Compare the 2021 Lexus RX with another vehicle →

Other 2021 Lexus models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology