Home · 2021 Lexus Nx300 · Complaints

What 17 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Lexus Nx300

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (17)Crash / fire / injury (3)Visibility & wipers (4)Engine (3)Fuel system (3)Brakes (2)Electrical system (2)Tires (2)Airbags (1)Body & structure (1)Driver assistance (1)Lane Departure (1)

3 of 17 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Aug 4, 2025Electrical systemLights2 injuries

Vehicle began exhibiting multiple electrical safety issues around April 2025. EMF (electromagnetic field) levels were measured and found to be excessively high, causing physical discomfort and triggering health concerns for my disabled son and me. We both sought medical attention. Two independent mechanics inspected the vehicle and confirmed it showed signs of water intrusion or exposure to hazardous materials — including corrosion, damage to internal components, and abnormal underbody residue. I reported this to Lexus in April and also submitted a lemon claim, but they have failed to act or resolve the matter despite multiple follow-ups. Additional issues include malfunctioning GPS, flickering interior lighting, and system errors suggesting possible electrical instability. I no longer feel safe operating the vehicle due to the ongoing risks and lack of manufacturer response. This is a serious failure of duty to inform, inspect, or repair — and may indicate deeper electrical or structural defects that pose risk to others.

NHTSA ODI 11678322

Apr 6, 2025BrakesCrash

Coming down a steep, narrow, long driveway leading from a private home on a hill, and moving forward in low gear, I allege that the brakes failed. After 3-5 attempts at braking, we came off the cement driveway as we accelerated and slid off the side of the hill, turning over onto the driver's side of the car and coming to rest near a dropoff, held by the branches of an oak tree. Fire engines came, and the Jaws of Life were applied, basically demolishing the car (which did hold together as we slid along). The seat belts also did their job. The car was removed from the towing yard in Grover Beach, CA, to Fresno, CA, whereupon the car's computer was inspected by an engineer hired by Lexus. He reported no failures. Besides me, the driver, there were two other occupants. My sister has sustained whiplash, and her boyfriend is having some pain in his hip. I seem to be fine. The other occupants were held in place by the seat belts. I was held by my belt and was also resting against the side air bag on the driver's door. The passenger's front side air bag also deployed. There is no confirmation of a problem by the dealer or an independent service center, unless the engineer counts as independent. Other than the engineer, I don't know of any inspection of the vehicle. The Highway Patrol was on the scene but did not write a report as we were on private property. No warning lamps came on that I observed.

NHTSA ODI 11653067

Nov 2, 2023Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

While driving our Lexus on 8/13/2023 on the interstate under normal driving conditions ALL of our warning lights came on one after another. We also lost air conditioning and power brakes it seemed. We immediately exited and pulled over. Opened the hood and the engine caught fire and fully engulfed the engine compartment. From the time of the first warning light to the vehicle being engulfed was probably 5 - 7 minutes. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. We filed a product liability claim with Lexus/Toyota and they investigated the vehicle on or around 8/28/2023 and were not able to determine a cause of the fire. Because they could not determine a cause our claim was denied. Our car was perfectly maintained and only had 15,000 miles on it at the time of the fire. We bought this vehicle new almost two years to the day of the fire and believe the fire was caused by a defective part. We understand it is very difficult to determine the cause of an automobile engine fire. Other comments below: We do not know where the vehicle is now as there was an insurance claim and the insurance company only held it for 30 days. Our safety and the safety of others was at risk luckily no one was injured. Problem has not been reproduced or reviewed by an independent service center. Vehicle was inspected. All electrical warning lights came on

NHTSA ODI 11553141

Working with the data? Download all 17 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2021 Lexus Nx300 verdict →