Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2021 Lexus RX350: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Lexus RX350, most recently filed February 2021. Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Lexus RX350. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2021 Lexus RX350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V043000 Filed Feb 3, 2021

Transport Hook May Damage Fuel Filler Pipe

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly · filler pipe and cap
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Lexus) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus RX350 and 2021 RX350 vehicles. The transport hook may not have been removed prior to sale. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Consequence
During a rear-end crash, the transport hook can damage the fuel filler pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Lexus will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, remove the rear transport hook, free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Lexus' number for this recall is 21LA01.
97.8% repairedof 1,081 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V043000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (1)

1 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The structure is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Lexus RX350, by component (top 2). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2021 compares with other RX350 years

Best and worst RX350 years →
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023
This year (2021)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 17.9%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2021 Lexus RX350 suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
20
city
27
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,900
CO₂ tailpipe
391 g/mi
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2021 Lexus RX350 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900391
3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050405

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2021 RX350 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All RX350 years

Where to next

2021 Lexus RX350 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus RX350 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 21V043000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2021 Lexus RX350 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. Structure (1), Unknown or other (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2021 Lexus RX350 get?

EPA rates the 3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 20 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2021 Lexus RX350 get?

NHTSA rated the 2021 Lexus RX350 suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (17.9% rollover risk).

How does the 2021 RX350 compare with other years?

Among the 2014–2021 Lexus RX350 model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2016 the most (58). The 2021 drew 1. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.