2021 Lexus RX

Routine

Owners filed 69 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags46
202
Seat Belts4
305
Unknown or Other2
000
Structure › Body2
100
Service Brakes2
001
Electrical System2
000
Wheels1
000
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior1
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification23V865000
Filed Dec 20, 2023999,901 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Dec 19, 2025CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 10, 202576,000 milesCA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 9, 2025CO

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.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 8, 2025SC

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.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 4, 2025UT

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

Air Bags
Filed Nov 17, 2025CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 14, 2025CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 30, 2025TX

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.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Sep 3, 2025CA

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 brak

Air Bags
Filed Aug 28, 2025CO

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.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Aug 23, 2025PR

Front wiper motor damaged two times in fourth years. First time on 2023 and was replaced by warranty at the Lexus Dealer and the second time was damaged on August 22, 2025. Now it is damaged but not covered by warranty at this time with 52,000 miles on the car. The wiper motor was damaged and it can not move down to hide inside down the hood, when the front wipers on they moved and the wiper hits the hood and peel the hood's paint.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 22, 2025NJ

My 2021 Lexus RX 350 (mileage approx. [19,000], has developed a severe mold contamination issue caused by HVAC condensate drain failure. This issue is a known design defect covered by Lexus Technical Service Bulletin L-SB-0020-21, which identifies blockage or poor drainage in the HVAC system that allows water to enter the cabin. As a result, water intrusion under the carpet has led to mold growth, making the vehicle uninhabitable and unsafe to drive. The cabin now contains visible mold and musty odor, raising serious health and air quality concerns. I brought the vehicle to Lexus of Route 10 (Whippqny, NJ), who acknowledged the water intrusion but have refused to repair it under warranty or goodwill. Instead, they are pressuring me to file a personal insurance claim, even though the issue stems from a known factory defect. The vehicle has now been out of service for weeks, and I am driving a loaner vehicle while mold continues to worsen in mine. Lexus Corporate stated that they "no longer goodwill" these repairs, despite the ongoing safety and hygiene risks. There has been no recall or warranty extension, and I believe other owners may be similarly affected by this unresolved defect. This is a serious safety issue due to the potential for mold-related health problems, interior air contamination, and possible electrical damage from long-term moisture. I urge NHTSA to investigate whether this HVAC defect poses a broader consumer risk, and whether Lexus is avoiding its responsib

Air Bags
Filed Jun 18, 2025NJ

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2025MD

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 10, 2025TX

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 6, 2025TX

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available and would not be available until September 2025. 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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 4, 2025CA

I saw this recall been there for 1+ year, still there is no remedy. I am very disappointed with Lexus. Please at least do something, or the airbag is not good.

Air Bags
Filed May 23, 2025VA

The passenger side airbag system has been recalled for 2 years with no remedy available. The passenger side may not deploy in an accident due to improper calculation of weight, according to the recall. To date, Lexus still does not have a remedy for this possible serious recall.

Air Bags
Filed May 9, 2025TN

I have contacted the Lexus dealership in Chattanooga, TN for the last two years and have been told that they did not have the parts to replace in my car. It shouldn't take two years to fix a recalled part. It's annoying and very frustrating.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 28, 2025TN

The contact owns a 2021 Lexus RX450H. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

20 of 69 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20267200Routine
202518400Routine
202455400Routine
202361300Routine
202228010Routine
2021 — this page69100Routine
202046100Routine
201934100Routine
201825000Routine
201747000Routine
201628000Routine
201520010Routine
201411001Fatalities reported
201319010Routine
201212000Routine
201129020Routine
201076000Routine
200934000Routine
200870020Routine
200758010Routine
200632120Routine
200527110Routine
200440110Routine
20034000Routine
200212000Routine
200119000Routine
200029000Routine
199935000Routine

Compare every RX year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 20, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.