Model year 2021 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2021 Lexus NX: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Lexus NX at 24–31 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

0

EPA combined mpg

24–31

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Lexus dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Lexus NX recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 0 safety recalls for the 2021 Lexus NX, newest first.

No recalls are listed for the 2021 Lexus NX in NHTSA's recall file as of Oct 27, 2026.

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Lexus NX fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Lexus NX EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
NX 3002.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-speedFront-Wheel DrivePremium22/28/25 mpg$3,300359
NX 300 AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-speedAll-Wheel DrivePremium22/28/24 mpg$3,400361
NX 300 AWD F Sport2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-speedAll-Wheel DrivePremium22/27/24 mpg$3,400374
NX 300h AWD2.5L 4-cyl hybridCVT (6 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular33/30/31 mpg$2,150285

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Lexus NX crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Lexus NX NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 Lexus NX 300 SUV AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars16%Standard
2021 Lexus NX 300 SUV FWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars16.1%Standard
2021 Lexus NX 300h SUV AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars16%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Lexus NX owner complaints

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Lexus NX, most recently on Apr 9, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Lexus NX complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Engine3
Electrical system2
Fuel/propulsion system2
Service brakes2
Unknown or other2
Visibility: Rearview mirrors/devices: Exterior2
Air bags1
Exterior lighting1
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking1
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Lexus NX model years

Lexus NX by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 NX24–40 mpg06—
2025 NX24–39 mpg618—
2024 NX24–39 mpg647—
2023 NX25–39 mpg517—
2022 NX25–39 mpg328—
2020 NX24–31 mpg0285/5
2019 NX24–31 mpg2445/5
2018 NX24–31 mpg1265/5
2017 NX24–31 mpg0305/5
2016 NX24–32 mpg1275/5
2015 NX24–32 mpg3475/5

All Lexus NX years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Lexus models

2021 Lexus ES2021 Lexus GX2021 Lexus IS2021 Lexus LC2021 Lexus LS2021 Lexus LX2021 Lexus RC2021 Lexus RX2021 Lexus UX

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Lexus.