2021 Lexus RX 350
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 71 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 6 RX 350 model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 9 involved a crash. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
71 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 27, 2026
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), 12V Battery/Electrical System. My vehicle's 12V battery failed, with the dealership measuring voltage below 10V during the event. This caused multiple simultaneous module malfunctions (confirmed by the dealer as caused by the battery failure), including a complete inability to move the vehicle after jump-starting on three separate attempts — the engine ran, but the vehicle would not drive despite a functioning alternator. The vehicle's steering wheel also locked, preventing the car from being pushed to a safe location. Approximately 3 months after this event, a routine service visit revealed the rear brake pads had worn from 8mm (measured at time of purchase) to 2mm (failed), while the front pads wore from 10mm to 7.8mm (normal wear) over the same period and mileage. The rear pads wore roughly 3 times faster than the front, which is inconsistent with normal vehicle operation, since front brakes handle proportionally more braking load and are fitted with larger rotors for this reason on this and virtually all vehicles. The rear brake caliper is the only caliper equipped with the EPB motor/actuator; the front calipers are purely hydraulic. The selling dealer's pre-purchase report also noted noise from the rear brakes at time of purchase, which is consistent with the EPB's position calibration having been disrupted at some point prior to my ownership (e.g., from a prior battery event or service) and never properly relearned/recalibrated afterward — producing a low-level drag from the outset. My own battery failure event (voltage measured below 10V) would then have compounded this already-uncalibrated system, worsening the drag and producing the rapid 6mm of wear observed in the following months. This points to one underlying EPB calibration fault, aggravated by repeated voltage instability over time, rather than an unrelated mechanical issue — see attached documents for more information.
Air bags, Dec 19, 2025
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, Dec 10, 2025
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, Dec 9, 2025
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, Dec 8, 2025
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, Dec 4, 2025
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, Nov 17, 2025
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, Oct 14, 2025
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, Sep 30, 2025
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, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 3, 2025, crash
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 brake failure problems. They inspected, road tested, and checked for codes, but could not identify the problem. I believe that the collision back up system should have prevented this accident, but it did not function. I suspect that there may be some kind of computer issue that prevents the brake from actuating. The car will be going in for repair soon, and I have requested that a complete diagnostic review be performed of this brake problem.
Air bags, Aug 28, 2025
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, Aug 23, 2025
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, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2025
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 responsibilities to repair or disclose this issue to other drivers.
Air bags, Jun 18, 2025
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, Jun 16, 2025
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, Jun 10, 2025
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, Jun 6, 2025
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, Jun 4, 2025
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, May 23, 2025
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, May 9, 2025
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, Apr 28, 2025
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.
Air bags, Apr 2, 2025
I repeatedly requested to fix the safety recall on vehicle. I always worry to drive in the high way when my family members are the front passenger seat. It's has been almost two Years now since I received a safety recall 'UNKOWN"
Air bags, Mar 25, 2025
Received the safety recall notice on December 20, 2023. However, to this date, there is still no remedy available. Contacted Lexus dealership and they confirmed that there is no remedy yet. This is a potential safety issues that will put my passenger at risk and it should not take this long to find a remedy.
Air bags, Mar 17, 2025
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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2025
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 dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.