Lexus NX: best & worst years

No Lexus NX model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. Below is every year (2015–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.

Every Lexus NX year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2024 Recommended 8 Reports of 12-volt battery drain and instrument-cluster or display blackouts and other electrical glitches, most frequently on 2024 cars.; Spontaneous sunroof or moonroof glass shattering without impact continues to be reported on the second-generation cars.; Some owners report the pre-collision system braking abruptly with no obstacle present, and unintended acceleration during low-speed parking. Full report ↗
2023 Recommended 8 Reports of 12-volt battery drain and instrument-cluster or display blackouts and other electrical glitches, most frequently on 2024 cars.; Spontaneous sunroof or moonroof glass shattering without impact continues to be reported on the second-generation cars.; Some owners report the pre-collision system braking abruptly with no obstacle present, and unintended acceleration during low-speed parking. Full report ↗
2021 Recommended 8 Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.; Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service. Full report ↗
2020 Recommended 8 Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall or lose power while driving; covered by a Denso fuel-pump recall on 2017-2020 cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.; Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.; Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service. Full report ↗
2019 Recommended 8 Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall or lose power while driving; covered by a Denso fuel-pump recall on 2017-2020 cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.; Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.; Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service. Full report ↗
2018 Recommended 8 Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall or lose power while driving; covered by a Denso fuel-pump recall on 2017-2020 cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.; Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.; Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service. Full report ↗
2017 Recommended 8 Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall or lose power while driving; covered by a Denso fuel-pump recall on 2017-2020 cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.; Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.; Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service. Full report ↗
2022 Caution 7 Reports of 12-volt battery drain and instrument-cluster or display blackouts and other electrical glitches, most frequently on 2024 cars.; Spontaneous sunroof or moonroof glass shattering without impact continues to be reported on the second-generation cars.; Some owners report the pre-collision system braking abruptly with no obstacle present, and unintended acceleration during low-speed parking. Full report ↗
2016 Recommended 7 Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.; Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service.; Early 200t cars, especially 2016, drew complaints of engine oil consumption, hesitant or rough transmission shifting, and infotainment screen freezes. Full report ↗
2015 Recommended 7 Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.; Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service.; Early 200t cars, especially 2016, drew complaints of engine oil consumption, hesitant or rough transmission shifting, and infotainment screen freezes. Full report ↗

Lexus NX problems by year

2024 Lexus NX Recommended

Refined second-gen NX 350: strong Lexus reliability and a class-leading new infotainment system, with below-average repair costs. Watch for 12-volt battery and instrument-cluster electrical complaints and recurring sunroof-glass reports; confirm recalls are done.

  • Reports of 12-volt battery drain and instrument-cluster or display blackouts and other electrical glitches, most frequently on 2024 cars.
  • Spontaneous sunroof or moonroof glass shattering without impact continues to be reported on the second-generation cars.
  • Some owners report the pre-collision system braking abruptly with no obstacle present, and unintended acceleration during low-speed parking.

2023 Lexus NX Recommended

A sorted second-gen NX: most first-year bugs addressed, a quiet upscale cabin and dependable turbo or hybrid powertrains. Minor infotainment-connectivity and sunroof-glass complaints remain. Premium fuel and higher insurance lift running costs.

  • Reports of 12-volt battery drain and instrument-cluster or display blackouts and other electrical glitches, most frequently on 2024 cars.
  • Spontaneous sunroof or moonroof glass shattering without impact continues to be reported on the second-generation cars.
  • Some owners report the pre-collision system braking abruptly with no obstacle present, and unintended acceleration during low-speed parking.

2022 Lexus NX Caution

First year of the redesigned NX brings a much-improved interior and tech but documented teething: connectivity glitches, low-speed drivetrain hum, cold-weather door and rattle complaints. Lexus reliability is still strong; a well-sorted later example is the safer pick.

  • Reports of 12-volt battery drain and instrument-cluster or display blackouts and other electrical glitches, most frequently on 2024 cars.
  • Spontaneous sunroof or moonroof glass shattering without impact continues to be reported on the second-generation cars.
  • Some owners report the pre-collision system braking abruptly with no obstacle present, and unintended acceleration during low-speed parking.

2021 Lexus NX Recommended

Final first-gen NX 300: a proven, reliable luxury compact SUV with below-average repair costs and a quiet, well-built cabin. Turbo lag, run-flat road noise and a dated touchpad infotainment are the main gripes. A strong used buy if recalls are complete.

  • Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.
  • Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service.

2020 Lexus NX Recommended

Mature first-gen NX 300 with strong reliability and low repair costs, and standard active-safety tech. Falls in the 2017-2020 fuel-pump recall window for stalling, so confirm it was performed. Dated infotainment and a firm ride are the trade-offs.

  • Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall or lose power while driving; covered by a Denso fuel-pump recall on 2017-2020 cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.
  • Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.
  • Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service.

2019 Lexus NX Recommended

First-gen NX 300 with solid Lexus dependability and low ownership costs, but in the 2017-2020 fuel-pump recall window (stalling risk), so verify the remedy. Sunroof-glass and brake-actuator complaints appear occasionally.

  • Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall or lose power while driving; covered by a Denso fuel-pump recall on 2017-2020 cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.
  • Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.
  • Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service.

2018 Lexus NX Recommended

First year of the NX 300 rename adds standard Lexus Safety System Plus; reliable and inexpensive to maintain. In the 2017-2020 fuel-pump recall range, so confirm it was completed. Touchpad infotainment and turbo lag are the main downsides.

  • Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall or lose power while driving; covered by a Denso fuel-pump recall on 2017-2020 cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.
  • Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.
  • Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service.

2017 Lexus NX Recommended

Often the strongest early NX 200t: Lexus smoothed the 2016 rough edges into a refined, dependable luxury SUV with below-average repair costs. Watch the fuel-pump recall and occasional sunroof-glass reports. Premium fuel recommended.

  • Low-pressure fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall or lose power while driving; covered by a Denso fuel-pump recall on 2017-2020 cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.
  • Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.
  • Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service.

2016 Lexus NX Recommended

A capable but weakest-rated early NX 200t: owners report engine oil consumption, hesitant shifting and infotainment freezes more than in other years. Still reliable overall with low repair costs, but a 2017 or later example is the safer choice.

  • Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.
  • Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service.
  • Early 200t cars, especially 2016, drew complaints of engine oil consumption, hesitant or rough transmission shifting, and infotainment screen freezes.

2015 Lexus NX Recommended

Launch-year NX 200t: strong Lexus build quality and low repair costs, but first-model-year bugs plus the fuel-pump recall and occasional sunroof-glass reports warrant a careful inspection and recall check. Premium fuel recommended.

  • Panoramic moonroof glass has been reported to shatter spontaneously without any impact, sometimes at highway speed.
  • Brake and ABS or parking-brake actuator complaints, including reduced braking feel and a parking-brake actuator defect requiring service.
  • Early 200t cars, especially 2016, drew complaints of engine oil consumption, hesitant or rough transmission shifting, and infotainment screen freezes.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Lexus models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.