TireKick

Problems to check

2021 Lexus RX reported problems

These problems appeared in the records we reviewed. This is not a list of what happens most often, and it does not predict the condition of one car.

What to look for

Airbags owner reports

Moderate severity
Evidence: Limited confidence

Owner reports are bound to model year 2021.

Symptom
15 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.
Why it matters
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

Mileage in the reports

In reports that included mileage, this problem showed up around 76,000 to 76,000 miles.

Based on 1 report that included mileage. This is not a failure rate or a prediction.

What to inspect

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

Ask the inspector to check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

What may help

  • Use the inspection and service records to check whether this car shows the reported problem.
Sources and limitsShow
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“I was driving on the freeway in Stockton California and I entered into a connecting on-ramp curve going about 30mph and a lady hit me from behind on the passenger side going 65mph as she was trying to change lanes to get behind me and my car instantly speeded up spinning out of control Into a gully filled with stored freeway construction materials such as poles . The car kept spinning out of control because the ground was mud-slush from the rains. I kept construction poles came into my windshield, I kept spinning and sliding as I slammed into 2 trees and as the car sustained severe damage all over the vehicle and I kept slidding landing over in a second gully on the opposite side of the freeway. No airbags deployed no sensor went off nothing. I was in the car with my autistic daughter. The car is brand new. I contacted Lexus filed a claim and they sent me letter they don’t want to tak responsibility for their product liability”
NHTSAcomplaintJun 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“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 NHTSA 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.”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX-450H. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“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, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 23V865000 Report Date: DEC 19, 2023 Vehicles Affected: 999901”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX450H. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.”
NHTSAcomplaintNov 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.”
NHTSAcomplaintOct 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“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 NHTSA 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.”
NHTSAcomplaintSep 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSAcomplaintAug 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX 350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSAcomplaintJun 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times for the recall repair; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSAcomplaintJun 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSAcomplaintJun 2025Open source record

Seat Belts owner reports

Critical severity
Evidence: Limited confidence

Owner reports are bound to model year 2021.

Symptom
3 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention seat belts.
Why it matters
The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

Mileage in the reports

In reports that included mileage, this problem showed up around 58,000 to 58,000 miles.

Based on 1 report that included mileage. This is not a failure rate or a prediction.

What to inspect

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

Ask the inspector to check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

What may help

  • Use the inspection and service records to check whether this car shows the reported problem.
Sources and limitsShow
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“Motor Vehicle accident with damage to vehicle front end and drivers side quarter panel. Vehicle was not drivable and required towing service at the scene. Front seat belts of the vehicle failed to engage resulting in the driver being bounced up in the seat and then down resulting in a serious compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine. An inspection was completed of the vehicle by a third party and reported to the Toyota Claims department on August 19, 2022. Toyota did respond with notification related to the results of the inspections to include: "The seatbelts were found to be operational. The front drivers' and passengers' seatbelt ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) were tested and found to be operational. The EDR readout recorded that the drivers' and passengers' front seat belts were buckled at the time of the incident, and the seat belt pretensioners were not commanded to deploy. The owners manual advises that the pretensioners help the seat belts to quickly restrain the occupants by retracting the seat belts when the vehicle is subjected to certain types of severe frontal or side collision or a vehicle rollover." The owners manual related to seat belts on page 28 also documents that "the pretensioners do not activate in the event of a minor frontal impact, a minor side impact or a rear impact." NTSB Safety Alert SA-005 July 2012 documents "What can you do to save lives and reduce injuries? Make sure seat belts are worn by everyone in your vehicle and talk to your state and local lawmakers and urge them to support NTSB recommendations for seatbelt use laws." Why encourage all to use seat belts if they do not engage in the event of an accident and the general public believes that the seat belt will engage in the event of an accident, again to help prevent not only death but serious injuries... Al Law related to seatbelts, section 32-5B-4; Requirement of front seat occupants of passenger car must be fastened about body when car is in motion.”
NHTSAcomplaintSep 2022Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“I was involved in a single car accident in which the vehicle went off of the road hit an embankment and the vehicle bounced. The front drivers side hip and shoulder seat belt did not engage, and sustained a compression fracture to the vertebrae. The passenger front seat belt at the hip did engage with the sudden stop but the shoulder harness did not engage. The back seat passenger seat belt did fully engage and resulted in seat belt markings to the right shoulder and clavicle area of the passenger requiring evaluation at the Emergency Department. The rear seat passenger did have the Live 360 app and the mobile app did respond to the sudden stop and alerted the passenger if 911 was needed.”
NHTSAcomplaintAug 2022Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while attempting to remove the [XXX] child from the rear passenger seat the rear passenger seat belt had become entangled around the child's torso and was extremely difficult to remove causing severe distress to the child and the child experienced difficulty breathing. The contact used scissors to cut the seatbelt which freed the child. During the incident, the child sustained bruising of the back and torso which did not require medical treatment. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
NHTSAcomplaintJun 2024Open source record

Airbags recall

High severity
Evidence: High confidence

Official record covers model years 2020 through 2021.

Symptom
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 ve
Why it matters
The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

Mileage in the reports

In reports that included mileage, this problem showed up around 33,951 to 97,852 miles.

Based on 2 reports that included mileage. This is not a failure rate or a prediction.

What to inspect

  • Check the VIN for this recall and ask for the repair receipt if it was completed.

Ask the inspector to check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

What may help

  • Confirm the VIN-specific recall status and keep the completion receipt.

Fix listed in the records: 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.

Sources and limitsShow
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“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. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. 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.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record

Manufacturer service campaign

Moderate severity
Evidence: High confidence

Official record covers model years 2017 through 2021.

Symptom
Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
Why it matters
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

Mileage in the reports

In reports that included mileage, this problem showed up around 15,750 to 58,345 miles.

Based on 20 reports that included mileage. This is not a failure rate or a prediction.

What to inspect

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

Ask the inspector to check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

What may help

  • Use the official record to focus the inspection and service-history review.
Sources and limitsShow
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022”
NHTSAtsbApr 2022Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022”
NHTSAtsbApr 2022Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022”
NHTSAtsbApr 2022Open source record

Manufacturer service campaign

Moderate severity
Evidence: High confidence

Official record for model year 2021.

Symptom
SAFETY RECALL AND SERVICE CAMPAIGN RENOTIFICATION OWNER RENOTIFICATION 25R001
Why it matters
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

Mileage in the reports

In reports that included mileage, this problem showed up around 41,000 to 67,000 miles.

Based on 3 reports that included mileage. This is not a failure rate or a prediction.

What to inspect

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

Ask the inspector to check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

What may help

  • Use the official record to focus the inspection and service-history review.
Sources and limitsShow
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“SAFETY RECALL AND SERVICE CAMPAIGN RENOTIFICATION OWNER RENOTIFICATION 25R001”
NHTSAtsbSep 2025Open source record

Manufacturer service campaign

Moderate severity
Evidence: High confidence

Official record for model year 2021.

Symptom
23LD01 Expired on November 30, 2025 The involved RX350 vehicles equipped with the Tow Prep Package did not have the Tow Converter installed.
Why it matters
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

Mileage in the reports

In reports that included mileage, this problem showed up around 41,000 to 67,000 miles.

Based on 3 reports that included mileage. This is not a failure rate or a prediction.

What to inspect

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

Ask the inspector to check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

What may help

  • Use the official record to focus the inspection and service-history review.
Sources and limitsShow
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“23LD01 Expired on November 30, 2025 The involved RX350 vehicles equipped with the Tow Prep Package did not have the Tow Converter installed.”
NHTSAtsbDec 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“23LD01 Expired on November 30, 2025 The involved RX350 vehicles equipped with the Tow Prep Package did not have the Tow Converter installed.”
NHTSAtsbDec 2025Open source record

The records cannot show the service history, repairs, title, accidents, or condition of the car you found.

Check a 2021 Lexus RX at its mileage