I was traveling on I-35 in heavy stop & go traffic, in an area under heavy construction where no shoulder was accessible, when the 18-wheeler in front applied their brakes consistent with the flow of traffic. I applied the brakes, but nothing happened causing me to roll forward and hit the back of the 18-wheeler. After impact, I placed the vehicle in park, & it was not until I pressed park that I believe the brakes became re-engaged. Once out of heavy traffic & safe to do so, I exited the highway, pulled over & restarted the vehicle. I believe the manual brakes failed to engage causing the incident. My safety and the safety of my passengers was put at risk, brakes are an integral part of a vehicle. I was not going fast and was actively engaged in driving. When I pushed the brakes and nothing happened, I repeatedly slammed my foot on the brake as my vehicle continued to roll into the 18-wheeler. Had I been going faster and a vehicle in front of me hit their brakes me and my passenger would be seriously injured. Toyota corporate has inspected the vehicle, and their response was as follows: "According to the electronic data, the brake pedal was being softly applied during the recorded event. The brake pedal was forcibly applied 1.05 seconds prior to the crash. The electronic data indicated that the brakes were never applied prior to the impact." I have attempted to speak with Toyota Corporate (Legal Claims & Brand Engagement Center depts.), but they have been unresponsive to my concerns & only emailed me twice (once to identify the legal claims analyst & then with their conclusion) while my vehicle was with them for 3.5 months. There was no involvement with police or insurance. Toyota Motor North America Inc. hired a third-party engineering firm (EAA) to perform testing to recreate the problem, inspect the vehicle, and evaluate the electronic data; they claim it has no issues. There were no warning lamps, messages prior to the incident.
The worst 2023 Lexus NX problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Acceleration2
- Body2
- Brakes2
- Driver assistance2
- Electrical2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration2
- Body2
- Brakes2
- Driver assistance2
- Electrical2
- Engine2
- Transmission2
- Airbags1
- Lights1
- Locks1
Recalls 4
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, NX350 Hybrid, and NX450h+ vehicles. The instrument panel cluster combination meter may fail to display certain warnings or indicators. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- An instrument panel display that fails to show engine oil pressure, engine coolant temperature, or electrical charge increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the combination meter software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 7, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 26LA10.
Recall number 26V687000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB02 and 26LA02.
Recall number 26V162000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: display function
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
Recall number 25V744000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous the federal safety agency recall number 23V‑480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.
Recall number 25V040000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2023 Lexus NX 123
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Obsolete notice
- Some 2022 – 2024 model year NX 250 and NX 350, and 2023 – 2024 model year RX 350 vehiclesmay exhibit the...
- Some 2022 – 2024 model year NX 250 and NX 350, and 2023 – 2024 model year RX 350 vehicles may exhibit both...
- Obsolete notice
- Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
- Some 2022 – 2025 model year NX 450h+ and 2024 – 2025 RX 450h+ vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with...
- The subject vehicles are equipped with a rear motor unit and an HV Floor Under Wire that provide high...
- Some customers may experience operational difficulties with some telematics features which they cannot...
- Some 2022 – 2025 model year NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+ vehicles may exhibit an abnormal noise...
- Technical instructions for 25LC02 reprogramming for forward recognition camera certain 2022-2023
2023 Lexus NX fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4‑cyl Hybrid | AWD | 41 | 37 | 39 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl Plug-in hybrid | AWD | 38 | 33 | 36 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 26 | 33 | 28 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | AWD | 25 | 32 | 28 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | AWD | 22 | 28-29 | 25 |
What 2023 Lexus NX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
There are no warning indicators whatsoever for this problem. I’m extremely concerned about an issue with my Lexus 2023 NXH 350. And I’m not the only one! A lot of these cars are experiencing something called “dead pedal” which is when the hybrid system and the gas system don’t know what gear to put the car into… so it doesn’t put you in any gear until it figures it out. It’s an electronics issue. I have had this issue since purchasing the car. I’ve reported this problem every single time I’ve taken my car in for service. I’ve called Lexus every single time it has happened. The only answers I’m getting is that they can’t re-create it so they can’t do nothing about it. I escalated the problem and they are just repeating that it is a design of the car. ‘ But if I wanna bring it in again, they can try to re-create it.’ You can’t re-create it unless you’re really, really lucky! Happens about once a month. BUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN, is that this car is going to kill me…almost hit for the third time because of this, since I’ve owned the car for three years!! WHEN IT HAPPENS: During the process of giving your car, a little gas to go forward and then breaking, as you do when you’re behind someone turning left, waiting for your turn, that back-and-forth between the break and the accelerator… Somehow disengages the accelerator. It is a completely totally dead pedal for a terrifying five seconds at least before it begins responding again…. Now imagine that you just rolled up to the light and you are waiting to turn left. The first person goes, now it’s your turn, momentum has carried your car forward with your wheels turned toward the left; and as you prepare to accelerate through the intersection…your car, literally dies! You have no gas pedal!!!!! AND your momentum has you right in the line of oncoming drivers! AND YOU CANT MOVE! Lexus has called “by design”!! And they won’t do a damn thing about it. I escalated it to the highest level.
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus NX 350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while idling, the transmission independedntly shifted into park (P), and the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact applied excessive pressure to the accelerator pedal while depressing the parking brake to unlock the transmission, allowing the vehicle to shift into drive (D). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 39,500.
The contact owns a 2023 Lexus NX 250. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly decelerated. During the failure, there was no warning light illuminated or messages displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 14,000.
Two year old 22500 miles. Driving down the highway doing around 75 and my sunroof blew up. Just exploded. Nothing hit it, temperature was around 70 degrees. Was about 10 miles into my morning commute. Nothing could have caused this. No impacts, no odd temperature fluctuations. Just a glass failure.
On [XXX] my Lexus would not start properly and then I heard noises which were associated with the battery closing down. This included locking all the doors. I was trapped in the car for 50-60 minutes until a repair person unlocked the door. This is a safety issue because the temperature where I live (las Vegas) is over 100 degrees months of the year. According to other Lexus owners, mine was a somewhat common experience. Some people have had the battery fail while driving. A recall to fix the problem is needed. When I contacted both corporate Lexus and my dealer they played dumb and told me to drive the car more often, but no one could specify how much that would be. Purchased in February, 2023 the vehicle has over 25,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
There is an ongoing noise issue where I hear a vibration or buzzing sound coming from the headliner or sunroof area while driving at various speeds, especially on uneven pavement. I have reported this concern previously, but the technician was unable to find the cause. On February 25, 2025, a maintenance technician at Jim Hudson Lexus in Columbia, SC, inspected the issue and confirmed an excessive rattle coming from the headliner around the sunroof panel and buttons. The technician noted that part of the internal headliner near the front dome lights is not secured properly, unlike the rest of the padded headliner. Despite this inspection, the noise persists.
The automatic headlights have a significant delay before turning on when entering a dimly lit parking garage. I have adjusted various car customization settings, but the delay persists. On February 25, 2025, a maintenance technician at Jim Hudson Lexus in Columbia, SC, inspected the issue and confirmed that the headlight sensor is set to the highest sensitivity. The headlights typically take about 15 seconds to activate. Count 15 seconds that is a long time.
The driver's side front wiper blade is not securely attached and lifts off the glass during the drying stage of automatic car washes. Once lifted, it stays in the upright position and must be manually lowered. To prevent this from happening, the wiper blade needs to be taped down. On February 25, 2025, a maintenance technician at Jim Hudson Lexus in Columbia, SC, inspected the wiper and confirmed that the wiper spring is functioning as designed with no defects. The technician explained that the wiper can lift due to the strong wind force from the car wash blower dryer. However, the service advisor mentioned that this issue has been observed at the dealership's on-site car wash and noted that Lexus has not yet released a stronger spring to address the problem. He advised me to report this issue.
I drive an NX250 and recently took it to a conveyor-style car wash, where you position your front tire in a groove, shift into Neutral, and let the system move the car through. Upon exiting, I experienced an issue where I couldn’t shift directly from Neutral to Drive. Instead, I had to first shift into Park before I could engage Drive. This was especially concerning because I was worried that the car behind me might not have enough time to stop, potentially leading to a rear-end collision. Difficulty shifting from Neutral to Drive after a car wash is a common complaint, especially with newer vehicles that have electronic shifters or safety mechanisms in place.
Compare the 2023 Lexus NX
Other model years
Questions about the 2023 Lexus NX
Is the 2023 Lexus NX reliable?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2023 Lexus NX, close to a typical NX model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Lexus NX?
Acceleration and speed control, with 2 complaints. Next is body (2).
How many recalls does the 2023 Lexus NX have?
4 recalls, covering electrical system, back over prevention and air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Lexus NX get?
Official estimates for the 2023 Lexus NX range from 25 to 39 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, AWD) gets 41 city and 37 highway.
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