Lexus NX problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 5 model years (2021–2025), NHTSA has logged 123 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls for the Lexus NX. That averages 8.0 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.19 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Luxury SUVs segment it ranks #2 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 15.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across five model years from 2021 to 2025, the Lexus NX has recorded 123 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls, averaging 8.0 complaints per year which is far fewer than typical at an index of 0.19 against all tracked vehicles. While the overall trend is worsening with the 2024 model year showing the highest rate of 16.4 complaints per year, the 2021 and 2023 models sit well below the average. The most common problem area is Electrical accounting for 22.8% of complaints, followed by Body & structure and Interior & equipment at 17.9% each, with recurring terms including "door" and "plug-in hybrid." Owners report 11 injuries and 0 deaths across all model years, while half of all reported incidents occur within 15 months of the model year's start.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 93% above the 2021 and 2022 models (21 early complaints per model year versus 10).
The 2024 model year has the highest rate (16.4 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (3.0). The 2024 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2021 and 2023 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (22.8% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (17.9%) and Interior & equipment (17.9%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “door”, “hudson columbia”, “plug-in hybrid”, “maintenance jim” and “february maintenance”. 21 complaints (17.1%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 11 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 32 complaints versus 34 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2024 model year generated the most recent reports (11). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 15 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 7 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (3). 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Audi Q7; Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5 have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 17 | 3.0 | 0.07 | 4 | 0.07 | 2 | 0 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2022 | 30 | 6.4 | 0.15 | 17 | 0.23 | 6 | 2 | Interior & equipment | View › |
| 2023 | 15 | 4.1 | 0.1 | 8 | 0.1 | 3 | 3 | Interior & equipment | View › |
| 2024 Years to research carefully | 44 | 16.4 | 0.39 | 34 | 0.48 | 11 | 5 | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 | 17 | 10.2 | 0.24 | — | — | 10 | 5 | Body & structure | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 32 · Previous 12 months: 34 Steady
Problem areas
Electrical
28 · 22.8% · 1.45 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- doors7
- battery11
- gauges4
- aaa4
Body & structure
22 · 17.9% · 1.95 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- mirror7
- side view3
- vibrates3
- closed4
Interior & equipment
22 · 17.9% · 2.0 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- someone6
- outside5
- connect3
- open door3
Brakes
10 · 8.1% · 1.34 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- attempts3
- warning lamps3
- driveway3
- brake5
Wheels, tires & suspension
8 · 6.5% · 2.61 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- lug bolts3
- tire6
- remove3
- pressure3
Driver-assist systems
7 · 5.7% · 0.99 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Engine
7 · 5.7% · 0.26 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Other
7 · 5.7% · 3.15 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Transmission / powertrain
4 · 3.3% · 0.28 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Airbags & seat belts
3 · 2.4% · 0.64 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Fuel system
3 · 2.4% · 0.57 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
2 · 1.6% · 1.04 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- door21
- hudson columbia3
- plug-in hybrid5
- maintenance jim3
- february maintenance3
- columbia inspected3
- tire13
- side27
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 15 months
What owners report
Possible malfunction involves vehicle speed control and braking during a low-speed parking maneuver in my 2024 Lexus NX350h. While slowly pulling into a parking space, I was actively applying the brake and creeping forward.
My car moved forward from the parking spot and hit a building while I was trying to stop
I am happy to have anyone come look at my vehicle for inspection. My passenger headlight daytime running light LEDs have changed color and are failing in this sealed unit.
The Lexus NX 350 has developed a very strong odor coming from the ventilation system. The smell is consistent with standing water, stale moisture, and/or mold.
After sitting all night -- Started the car which started normally. But the instrument gauge cluster remained totally black except for the warning symbols in test cycle. The infotainment screen started properly. But the gauge cluster remained black.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Luxury SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audi Q7 | 349 | 7.3 | 0.17 | Improving | Steady | 20 | Engine |
| 2 | Lexus NX | 123 | 8.0 | 0.19 | Worsening | Steady | 7 | Electrical |
| 3 | Lexus RX | 303 | 11.3 | 0.27 | Worsening | Steady | 8 | Airbags & seat belts |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | 476 | 12.8 | 0.3 | Worsening | Steady | 2 | Engine |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | 510 | 13.9 | 0.33 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 6 | Audi Q5 | 553 | 14.1 | 0.33 | Stable | Rising | 19 | Electrical |
| 7 | BMW X3 | 606 | 14.6 | 0.35 | Improving | Rising | 41 | Electrical |
| 8 | BMW X5 | 768 | 22.4 | 0.53 | Worsening | Steady | 42 | Electrical |
| 9 | Acura MDX | 923 | 27.9 | 0.66 | Stable | Rising | 16 | Engine |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 7
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2021 (0) · 2022 (2) · 2023 (3) · 2024 (5) · 2025 (5)
Investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
Frequently asked questions
Which Lexus NX model year has the most complaints?
The 2024 model year has the highest rate (16.4 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (3.0).
Is the Lexus NX getting better or worse?
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 93% above the 2021 and 2022 models (21 early complaints per model year versus 10). In the last 12 months owners filed 32 complaints versus 34 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Lexus NX problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (22.8% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (17.9%) and Interior & equipment (17.9%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “door”, “hudson columbia”, “plug-in hybrid”, “maintenance jim” and “february maintenance”.
How does the Lexus NX compare with other Luxury SUVs?
Within the Luxury SUVs segment it ranks #2 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 15.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Audi Q7; Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5 have more.
Does the Lexus NX have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 7 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (3). 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).