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2021 Lexus RX problems

The most common problem on the 2021 Lexus RX is airbags. It has 2.4 times the complaints of a typical RX model year.

Year to avoid2.4x the typical complaints
Year score
41/100
Owner complaints
70
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
44
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
21-30mpg

The worst 2021 Lexus RX problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    47
  • Driver assistance
    5
  • Body
    4
  • Brakes
    4
  • Electrical
    4

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    47
  • Driver assistance
    5
  • Body
    4
  • Brakes
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Seat belts
    4
  • Engine
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Lights
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported December 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 23V865000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2021 Lexus RX

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Lexus RX 44

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 44 bulletins for the 2021 Lexus RX

2021 Lexus RX fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cyl HybridAWD29-312829-30
3.5L 6‑cylFWD192622
3.5L 6‑cylAWD18-1925-2621-22

What 2021 Lexus RX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 27, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · AZ

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 steering wheel also locked, preventing the car from being pushed to a safe location. Approximately 3 months after this event, a routine service visit revealed the rear brake pads had worn from 8mm (measured at time of purchase) to 2mm (failed), while the front pads wore from 10mm to 7.8mm (normal wear) over the same period and mileage. The rear pads wore roughly 3 times faster than the front, which is inconsistent with normal vehicle operation, since front brakes handle proportionally more braking load and are fitted with larger rotors for this reason on this and virtually all vehicles. The rear brake caliper is the only caliper equipped with the EPB motor/actuator; the front calipers are purely hydraulic. The selling dealer's pre-purchase report also noted noise from the rear brakes at time of purchase, which is consistent with the EPB's position calibration having been disrupted at some point prior to my ownership (e.g., from a prior battery event or service) and never properly relearned/recalibrated afterward — producing a low-level drag from the outset. My own battery failure event (voltage measured below 10V) would then have compounded this already-uncalibrated system, worsening the drag and producing the rapid 6mm of wear observed in the following months. This points to one underlying EPB calibration fault, aggravated by repeated voltage instability over time, rather than an unrelated mechanical issue — see attached documents for more information.

Filed Dec 19, 2025 · Airbags · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Airbags · 76,000 miles · CA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Airbags · CO

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX-450H. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Tires · SC

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.

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Airbags · UT

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, the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN ID: 23V865000 Report Date: DEC 19, 2023 Vehicles Affected: 999901

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Airbags · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX450H. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Airbags · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Sep 30, 2025 · Airbags · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX350. The contact recently purchased the vehicle. The contact later obtained a Carfax report and identified an unrepaired recall associated with the VIN. The unrepaired recall was the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, parts were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that there was no unrepaired recall related to the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Body, Brakes · CA · crash

I was at the gas station, in line waiting for one of the three gas pumps to be available. I put my car in reverse to back up and pull around another car in order to go to the open pump in front. When my car was in reverse motion, I stepped on the brake pedal, but the car did not stop. I stepped on the brake pedal numerous times, but the brake did not function. My car backed into the front of the car in line behind me damaging both vehicles. The automatic emergency braking system did not activate, and there was no rear collision warning sound or message. I switched my car from Reverse into Park to stop its movement, but it was too late to avoid the collision. I had a passenger in my car who corroborates this description. Fortunately there were no pedestrians behind my car, so the only damage was to the vehicles. My vehicle has not been inspected by anyone since the accident, but will be soon. I have owned this car since April 2021 and previously had a few similar situations when moving in the forward direction. Previously, the brake problem occurred while moving forward at very low speed pulling into parking places. The brake failed to activate, and I had to throw the car into Park to stop it, but this was the first time I had experienced this problem traveling in reverse. When this situation occurs, I am pressing on the brake pedal, but the car is not stopping and the brake pedal seems to go to the floor. On March 5, 2025 I took the car to a Lexus dealer and reported the brake failure problems. They inspected, road tested, and checked for codes, but could not identify the problem. I believe that the collision back up system should have prevented this accident, but it did not function. I suspect that there may be some kind of computer issue that prevents the brake from actuating. The car will be going in for repair soon, and I have requested that a complete diagnostic review be performed of this brake problem.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2021 Lexus RX before you buy

Compare the 2021 Lexus RX

RX vs Acura MDXRX vs BMW X5RX vs Volvo XC90RX vs Audi Q7RX vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 350RX vs Cadillac XT5

Other model years

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Questions about the 2021 Lexus RX

Is the 2021 Lexus RX reliable?

Owners have filed 70 complaints about the 2021 Lexus RX, 2.4 times a typical RX model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2021 Lexus RX year score?

The 2021 Lexus RX scores 41 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lexus RX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Lexus RX?

Airbags, with 47 complaints. Next is driver assistance (5).

How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus RX have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Lexus RX airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 23V865000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Lexus RX have bad airbags?

The Lexus RX model years with the most airbags complaints are 2021 (47 complaints) and 2020 (21 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Lexus RX get?

Official estimates for the 2021 Lexus RX range from 21 to 30 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl hybrid, AWD) gets 29-31 city and 28 highway.

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