2021 LEXUS RX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
87
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 LEXUS RX
The 2021 LEXUS RX has received a total of 87 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (47 complaints), Unknown Or Other (7 complaints), and Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 2021 LEXUS RX
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2021 LEXUS RX, potentially affecting up to 1,999,802 vehicles.
Recall 23V865000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 999,901 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
View full details →Recall 23V865000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 999,901 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 LEXUS RX
87 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 LEXUS RX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 47 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssrs Malfunction Warning Lamplight | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Warnings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestreadbelt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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 Coast. The dealer informed the contact about a possible diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer declined to accept a Trade-In due to the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the repair was not available and offered the contact a rental vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
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 Coast. The dealer informed the contact about a possible diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer declined to accept a Trade-In due to the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the repair was not available and offered the contact a rental vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
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 aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
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 delamination of the steel belt. Subsequent searches on the internet seem to support belt failure as the cause of the rapid loss of the tire. Walmart has refunded the cost of the failed tire. Bridestone is being less than helpful relative to the remaining three tires, which have less than 2,000 miles on them.
Safety Rating for the 2021 LEXUS RX
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2021 LEXUS RX in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 LEXUS RX
Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 LEXUS RX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
23LD01 — STRUCTURE:BODY
23LD01 Expired on November 30, 2025 The involved RX350 vehicles equipped with the Tow Prep Package did not have the Tow Converter installed.
25R001 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SAFETY RECALL AND SERVICE CAMPAIGN RENOTIFICATION OWNER RENOTIFICATION 25R001
23LD01 Dealer Pa — TRAILER HITCHES
DP: The involved vehicles equipped with the Tow Prep Package did not have the Tow Converter installed.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 LEXUS RX
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the LEXUS RX
- 2016 LEXUS RX — 31 complaints
- 2017 LEXUS RX — 56 complaints
- 2018 LEXUS RX — 28 complaints
- 2019 LEXUS RX — 62 complaints
- 2020 LEXUS RX — 48 complaints
- 2021 LEXUS RX (current)
- 2022 LEXUS RX — 39 complaints
- 2023 LEXUS RX — 58 complaints
- 2024 LEXUS RX — 66 complaints
- 2025 LEXUS RX — 16 complaints
- 2026 LEXUS RX — 0 complaints
Other LEXUS Models
- LEXUS ES350 — 1,531 total complaints
- LEXUS RX350 — 1,065 total complaints
- LEXUS IS 250 — 938 total complaints
- LEXUS ES300 — 862 total complaints
- LEXUS RX300 — 849 total complaints
- LEXUS ES — 817 total complaints
- LEXUS IS — 765 total complaints
- LEXUS RX330 — 659 total complaints