Electrical system, structure, and engine issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Luxury SUVs come in a variety of sizes and styles, but the 2020 Lexus NX300 tends to stand out among the group. The automaker claims it provides “personalized comfort,” but there’s nothing comfortable about the faulty electrical system, defective engine and poorly-built structure.
Even on the non-luxury cars, the electrical system has to be working correctly for a good user experience. However, so much more is expected from Lexus. This system can’t just work right, it needs to be superior, but it’s not.
Read this Edmunds review. “The user interface is complicated. Navigation is the worst I have ever had, really not in par with Google or Waze. Android auto is not working so basically I use my phone screen. My suggestion skip Lexus.”
Beyond the “comforts” that don’t appear to work correctly, there are larger problems with the electrical system. Service Bulletin #L-TT-0265-19 Rev talks about how the ground fault circuit interrupter breaker could trip, but Lexus isn’t yet sure how to fix the problem. Instead, the luxury automaker is allowing customers to drive around with a defective part. This might be fine if owners only spent the amount of a Chevy compact car to get behind the wheel, but they didn’t.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Engine | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Visibility/wiper |
Owning a luxury vehicle means that the driver should automatically assume that the structure is well-made and durable, but that’s not what is happening with the NX either.
Here is one more Edmunds review. “Recently bought a red Lexus NX sport. I had it washed today at dealership and noticed love bugs had stained the paint. Literally the paint absorbed the bug splat. I complained to the dealership to no avail and said there was nothing they could do. They suggested a detail which would cost me $189.00.”
Beyond this, Lexus is willing to talk about other concerns. Service Bulletin #L-TT-0244-18 Rev states that the front door window glass might get scratched easily when cleaning the windows. Should customers avoid cleaning the windows at all? Probably not! Instead, Lexus might just be trying to get customers to pay the exorbitant detailing fee for the service center to do it instead.
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Most importantly, Lexus needs to provide customers with a durable engine. Yet, this vital part is just one more aspect that lets the owners down.
Read this NHTSA complaint. “The contact owns a 2020 Lexus NX300. The contact stated that at 2:45 am there was a loud sound coming from the driveway where the vehicle was parked. They then discovered her vehicle was on fire near the front of the hood. The tire exploded along with the windshield fracturing. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was not driven since Wednesday from the incident date on Saturday. The contact stated the fire was extinguished by the fire department, and a fire department report was filed. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and stated the cause of the fire was undetermined. The complainant mentioned that only the frame of the vehicle remained after the fire was extinguished.
Afterwards, the contact stated the vehicle would be towed to a salvage yard where an investigator was to determine what caused the fire but as of yet the vehicle was not deemed a total loss. The contact stated an unknown local dealer was contacted and informed contact there was no recalls on vehicle. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.”
Who wants to spend the crazy price tag for a Lexus SUV only to have it start on fire at any moment? Not too many customers are thinking this is a problem – but it is. It turns out, it’s not the only powertrain issue. Service Bulletin #L-SB-0002-20 Rev also talks about how fluid is leaking from some powertrain components. Has Lexus begun employing engineers from the cheap carmakers? Where has the quality gone? The only way to experience “personalized comfort” with this Lexus is to stop driving and leave it sit in the driveway.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Lexus pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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I recently bought 2019 Lexus NX 300 F Sport. Certified from a reputable Lexus dealership I have only had it for a few months. I went to setup my phone app for the Free Trails Dynamic Navgation, remote start etc.,, my phone app continues read,”Pending” I called Lexus Enform Customer Support, three times. I was told your vehicle will be pinged from our end, drive for 15 minutes , I drove it longer an tried again….nothing. I called back and I was informed by Lexus CS, THEY cannot sync the car, we can not locate it. a rep said, ” Did you receive technical support when you bought the vehicle how did you drive off and everything was not explained to you?” She continued, “You have to take it back to the dealer.”
I made an appointment, the same guy, came out to talk with me inside my vehicle, tried to troubleshoot my phone app to the vehicle….NOTHING CHANGED. He looks up and notices a light near my SOS button, ceiling Iis not on. He goes, ” There is nothing I can do, it’s a service appointment, there a computer close to the engine its not working.i have to make a different appointment because those guys are booked for today.’ I made the appointment for the next day at 945am. I called ahead to confirm I arrived early, Checked in and was my service person tells me it’s an hour and a half procedure. After two cups of coffee and fruit Danish it’s 11am, The computer is not working, we can try one more thing, it may take an hour. I said, okay and went back to the wait area.
I started to discuss with service guy about paint, when I bought the car, when it was washed and shining, we noticed the deep scratches on the exterior paint even though the display room was dimly lit. One of the guy were sent to try to buff them out….
I digress. It’s now 1245p, I have to be at work by 3pm, service guy tells me the computer does not work, we ordered a new one. The bad news is on BACK ORDER you’re the 346th person in line to receive one. It could take weeks or months.
What can I do?