NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Lexus NX 300h Safety Ratings
The 2021 Lexus NX 300h scores 89 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 0 recalls, and 17 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Lexus NX 300h presents a compelling safety profile, earning a five-star overall NHTSA crash rating. This performance is underscored by a perfect score in avoidance technology and an absence of recalls on file. The model year achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 89/100, placing it in the Strong band.
The 2021 Lexus NX 300h AWD SUV received an overall five-star crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 89 out of 100, both derived from NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Lexus NX 300h ranks 31 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 89 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16% |
| Recalls on file | 0 |
| Owner complaints | 17 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 31 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Lexus NX 300h?
The 2021 Lexus NX 300h stands apart in MotorCaliber's dataset for one particularly clean data point: zero recall campaigns. That absence feeds directly into a defect-record sub-score of 18 out of 20, which anchors the overall Safety Index at 89 out of 100 in the Strong band. No prior-year Index is on file for comparison, so the 89 stands on its own merits rather than as a trend line. The crash-protection sub-score of 61 out of 70 reflects the NHTSA star picture accurately: a five-star overall rating driven by a perfect five-star side result, tempered by four-star outcomes in frontal and rollover categories. The rollover risk figure of 16 percent and the No Tip result on the dynamic test add granularity beyond the star alone. Avoidance technology earns a perfect 10 out of 10, with forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control all listed as standard equipment on this trim and drivetrain configuration. The 17 unverified complaints, including alleged reports of one crash and one fire, are worth monitoring but do not alter the structural safety picture that federal test data and the zero-recall record present for this specific model year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Lexus NX 300h perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Lexus NX 300h AWD SUV achieved an overall five out of five stars from NHTSA. Side protection is a standout at the top rating of five stars. Both frontal and rollover protection were rated four out of five stars; the measured rollover risk is 16 percent, with the dynamic tip test recording no tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15813
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Lexus NX 300h have any recalls?
The 2021 Lexus NX 300h has zero recall campaigns on file with NHTSA. No components have been flagged, and there are no park-outside or do-not-drive advisories associated with this model year. Shoppers should still run a VIN check, as campaigns can be added after a vehicle enters the used market.
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Lexus NX 300h?
NHTSA has logged 17 unverified owner complaints for this model year. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Engine and Visibility, each cited three times, followed by unverified allegations involving the Fuel/Propulsion System, Electrical System, Service Brakes, and an Unknown or Other category, each reported twice.
17 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Lexus NX 300h?
No recalls are currently on file for the Model. However, purchasers of a five-year-old vehicle should run its VIN through NHTSA's recall database before purchase. New campaigns can be issued at any time; confirm that any future remedy has been completed at a franchised dealer before taking delivery.
- Zero recall campaigns are on file for the 2021 Lexus NX 300h, a distinction that contributes directly to its 18-out-of-20 defect-record sub-score and its Strong-band Safety Index of 89 out of 100.
- NHTSA's side-crash test produced a five-star result for this model year, the single highest individual rating in the test suite, while frontal and rollover tests each returned four stars.
- All three crash-avoidance technologies tracked by MotorCaliber, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control, are standard on this 2021 configuration, yielding a perfect avoidance-tech sub-score of 10 out of 10.
- Seventeen unverified NHTSA complaints have been filed for this model year, with Engine and Visibility each alleged three times; one reported crash and one reported fire are included in that total, and all remain unverified consumer allegations.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Lexus NX 300h places
The 2021 Lexus NX 300h qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Lexus NX 300h safety questions
Was the 2021 Lexus NX 300h crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Lexus NX 300h, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 89 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Lexus NX 300h crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Lexus NX 300h earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Lexus NX 300h have?
According to NHTSA recall data, no vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Lexus NX 300h as of Oct 1, 2026. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the Safety Index. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm the status is current.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Lexus NX 300h?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 17 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Lexus NX 300h. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15813), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Lexus NX 300h 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 31 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.