LexusNX300h2021Overview/lexus/nx300h/2021/base/

2021 Lexus NX300h

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 NX300h.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2021 Lexus NX300h is defined mechanically by its Automatic (AV-S6) transmission, a 4.6-quart 0W-20 oil fill, and an EPA rating of 33/30/31 mpg. Reliability data for the model year records 17 owner complaints, zero recalls, and visibility as the top reported concern. Set against the 20152020 model run—where complaints peaked at 26 in 2015 and dropped to 6 in 2020—the 2021 edition sits squarely in the middle of that range, indicating a reliability record that has stabilized above the series low but far below its launch-year high.

Model year2021202020192018201720162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy33/30/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Hybrid: Vented to the outside of vehicle. 47 · 460 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Hybrid: Vented to the outside of vehicle. 47 · 460 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire size225/65R17 102HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7, Optional: 7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter1780137021
Spark plug9091901259
Battery2880036133
Front wiper blades8522278012 alt 8521278011
Serpentine belt9091602721
Thermostat163250T030
Cabin air filter8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight4045 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined33 / 30 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.6 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, SAE J1703 · Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid CapacityP314
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · Dot 3
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity7.3 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.6 qt
Transfer Case FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)14.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsFlywheel to Crankshaft: 96.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugFiller Plug: 29.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1000 @ Idle rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFK16HR-A8
Spark Plug GapNew: 0.0276-0.0315 in.; New: 0.0433 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.0375-1.168 lbs
Oil TypeND-11 or equivalent
Oil Capacity3.7-4.8 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberHybrid: Vented to the outside of vehicle. 47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance460 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum50.0 psi
Engine Compression116
Engine Oil Pressure21.0, 49.0 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1000 RPM's, 2500 RPM's rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 79.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 77.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0394; Rear: 0.0394 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .984; Rear: .413
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .006

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°30 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
127.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 27.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°, Step 4: 90°27 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0, Step 232 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miFloor Mat (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Hybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Cooler (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Lexus NX300h sits at the end of a seven-model-year run, and the federal record leading into it shows a clear cooling trend: owner complaints fell from 26 in 2015 to 6 in 2020, with the 2018 model year (19 complaints) being the only meaningful uptick in that arc, while Technical Service Bulletins dropped from 213 in 2015 to 121 in 2020. Recalls were sparse across the years shown — typically zero or one per year — and investigations remained a consistent but unresolved one per model year throughout, with the data not specifying their subject or outcome. The 2021 record itself shows 1 crash and 1 fire complaint against a small overall volume, with the top complaint areas being Visibility (3), Service Brakes (2), Tires (2), and Engine/Fuel/Propulsion System (1), though the underlying root causes are not specified in the filing data. The declining complaint and TSB trend through 2020 suggests the platform was being refined rather than allowed to develop new chronic issues, positioning 2021 as the most mature iteration in the run before the redesign. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the brakes, tires, and visibility-related components is sensible, but on balance the 2021 NX300h looks like a defensible used buy within this generation's arc.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
95
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
17
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 17 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility3
Service Brakes2
Tires2
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Unknown Or Other1
Fuel System, Gasoline,Traction Control System,Engine1
Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 95 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0057-22 Rev22026-02-02Electrical SystemOBSOLETE NOTICE February 2, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0004-26.
L-SB-0004-262026-01-23Electrical SystemSome 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation…
L-SB-0030-24 Rev22025-12-15StructureSome 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
L-TT-0326-23 Rev22025-08-19Electrical SystemSome customers may experience operational difficulties with some telematics features…
L-SB-0043-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific NX300h. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 NX300h take?

4.6 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 NX300h have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the NX300h get?

EPA figures are 33 city / 30 highway / 31 combined mpg.