2015-2021 Lexus NX Reliability Score: 9.6 out of 10

217 NHTSA Complaints

5 Recalls

3 Fire Reports

29 Crash Reports

Data covers 4 NHTSA model names

NX 300NX 300HNX200NX200T

Reliability Score

9.6 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar compact SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 71 powertrain complaints. A typical compact SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 449.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall71 complaints against about 449 for similar vehicles

9.6

Last three years27 complaints against about 224 for similar vehicles

9.7

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced4 complaints against about 102 for similar vehicles

9.9

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating4 complaints against about 80 for similar vehicles

9.9

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20159.6
20169.7
20179.8
20189.6
20199.3
20209.7
20219.8

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine

2.0L 4-cyl turbo 9.6/10

Too few complaints to compare. (66 complaints, about 351,000 built)

2.5L 4-cyl hybrid 9.6/10

No clear difference from the 2.0L 4-cyl turbo. (3 complaints, about 48,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

8AR-FTS

2.0L 4-cyl / 235 hp

191 complaints 27.3 per year Gasoline

3 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system

other

engine

safety systems

brakes

Same engine used in

LEXUS IS (2014-2025)LEXUS RC (2015-2025)LEXUS GS (2012-2020)

2AR-FXE, 2JM, 2FM

2.5L 4-cyl / 112 hp

15 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

brakes

body

engine

fuel system

Lexus NX Unidentified Engine

11 complaints 1.8 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system

other

brakes

safety systems

steering

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lexus NX, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel System: 57 owner complaints

Brakes: 32 owner complaints

Engine: 31 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 28 owner complaints

Transmission: 15 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2015-2021 Lexus NX

On a used 2015-2021 Lexus NX, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the fuel system (57), the brakes (32) and the engine (31). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 57 owner complaints on the 2015-2021 Lexus NX about the fuel system, all engines combined.
On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on the 2015-2021 Lexus NX about the brakes.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on the 2015-2021 Lexus NX about the engine, all engines combined.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on the 2015-2021 Lexus NX about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2015-2021 Lexus NX about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2015-2021 Lexus NX

Recalls (5)

25V028000Jan 22, 2025serious

Fuel System

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Camry, 2019 Lexus NX300, and 2019 RX350L vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

20V682000Nov 4, 2020serious

Fuel System

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

20V012000Jan 13, 2020serious

Fuel System

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

18V085000Jan 31, 2018serious

Air Bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.

15V341000Jun 3, 2015serious

Service Brakes

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Lexus NX200t vehicles manufactured December 18, 2014, to February 2, 2015. These vehicles are equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TRAC), and Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC) which are controlled by an ABS actuator. A component inside the actuator may have been damaged during its assembly and may cause the actuator to not function properly.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (16.0% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (16.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (16.0% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

All Generations

AZ102015-2021 AZ202022-2025

Alternatives in Compact SUV

6 engines / 1,695 complaints

3 engines / 153 complaints

3 engines / 148 complaints

3 engines / 1,278 complaints

3 engines / 21 complaints

4 engines / 728 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2015-2021 Lexus NX complaints?

Owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2021 Lexus NX. The systems they name most often are the fuel system, the brakes and the engine.

Is the 2015-2021 Lexus NX a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2021 Lexus NX. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2021 Lexus NX have?

NHTSA has 217 owner complaints on file for the 2015-2021 Lexus NX as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2015-2021 Lexus NX?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2015-2021 Lexus NX vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Lexus NX?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the fuel system, the brakes and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the NX?

The 2021 Lexus NX received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (16.0% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 217 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.