Lexus NX Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lexus NX model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2017 drew the fewest (11) and the 2019 the most (30).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
5 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 24–40 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
11 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 24–31 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
16 | 0 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 24–31 |
| 2023 | 16 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | 25–39 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
17 | 1 | Engine | — | 24–32 |
| 2021 | 17 | 0 | Engine | — | 24–31 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
18 | 5 | Structure | — | 24–39 |
| 2020 Among the most complaints |
21 | 0 | Engine | — | 24–31 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
26 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | 24–32 |
| 2022 | 27 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | 25–39 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
30 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 24–31 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
45 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 24–39 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lexus NX years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Lexus NX: 30 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 11 (37%); Service brakes 5 (17%); Forward collision avoidance 3 (10%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,900 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2015 Lexus NX: 26 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 4 (15%); Fuel/propulsion system 4 (15%); Power train 4 (15%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 4 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Lexus NX: 21 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 7 (33%); Fuel/propulsion system 7 (33%); Power train 2 (10%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Lexus NX years with the fewest complaints
2017 Lexus NX: 11 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 2 (18%); Forward collision avoidance 2 (18%); Service brakes 2 (18%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 4 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Lexus NX: 16 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 7 (44%); Engine 4 (25%); Service brakes 2 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Lexus NX: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 5 (29%); Service brakes 5 (29%); Fuel/propulsion system 4 (24%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lexus NX owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 45 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10,900 |
| 2018 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Lexus NX recalls
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2022–2025 model years; 1,024,407 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V744000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2022–2025 model years; 144,200 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2026; 26V162000)
- Sensor Failures May Prevent Air Bag Deployment (2015–2016 model years; 48,672 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2018; 18V085000)
- Damaged Second-Row Seat Belt/FMVSS 209 (2025 model year; 40,922 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2025; 25V059000)
- Head Rests May Be Inadvertently Removed/FMVSS 202 (2024–2025 model years; 11,418 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2024; 24V482000)
All 8 Lexus NX recall campaigns · Lexus NX problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Lexus NX years FAQ
Which Lexus NX year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2017 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (11). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Lexus NX years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2015 and 2020 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the fuel/propulsion system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Lexus NX problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the fuel/propulsion system (39 of 249 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lexus NX have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns covering the Lexus NX. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lexus NX recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.