Hi guys,

Current 2016 Rx350. Thinking of trading in for NX350h. I see a lot of posts from here and Facebook group that new NX owners are reporting minor and tech issues on the new car. From check engine light , to carplay black screen, to touchscreen unresponsive, tech.

Anyone holding on to get the NX because of these issue? Seems werid that it's coming from Lexus.

 

No issues here. Learning curve is longer as the level of tech in this generation is crazy higher than previous generation, but once you figure that out, you're good to go. Much of it is set it once and forget it, unless you feel the need to change something. Dealership tech person, if one is available, is a godsend. The dealer I bought from had a specialist, servicing dealer doesn't and that makes a difference. Lots of on-line videos though. Car feels typical Lexus. You won't be disappointed. However, if you don't need to trade now, wait until the supply chain issues subside. First car I ever bought at full list! No real discounts of any kind. Dealer threw in $500.00 to help defray the cost of the rental we were in and $125.00 on the extended warranty. Finding one was worst part of the experience, paying list was second. But I had to, our RX was stolen.

 

Own ours (wifes) for six months and a friends for the same time both 2023's and not one problem. Both love them.

 

We've had no mechanical issues with ours that we've had almost for one year. But we're not a fan of the new "Lexus Interface" If we could do it over again we'd look for a nice 2021. Some of our dislike is "old dog, new tricks" but it seems like they've over fixed some things that just weren't broken and made it too complicated. For sure, drive one and see what you think about everything being touch screen.

 

During 1st week of ownership 3 times my hatch did not fully close when pressing the button, came all the way down but did not complete the final latch. But since then, hasn't happened again. Only other "issues" is just me learning how things work it seems. I consider my NX 100% at the moment. I have not had any serious issues with the infotainment system, has worked solid for me using the native UI and Android Auto via wireless. That doesn't make me a fan of the interface though. It is functional, but to me represents a huge waste of possibilities especially with the large screen. I know Lexus is considered conservative when it comes to feature design, but the interface is so basic and uninspired once you get over the initial good impression of the size and res of the screen. I find the interface while prettier, isn't really that much better than the one I had running on my 8" screen in my 2010 RX (the map detail & cloud data being the most notable improvement in NX). I spent the last year mostly driving a Crosstrek and I have to say Subaru did a really good job on their interface design. Simple, pleasant, but still full featured. I especially liked the ability to customize the home screen to put shortcuts to all my favorite functions. I just hope that Lexus puts some effort into real UI improvements and pushes it to the existing NXs.

 

Makes me sick every time someone mentions their car getting stolen! Have you added any anti theft options to your new car? Makes me consider an OBD lock.

 

Yes, I have a high end immobilizer. It's connected right into the CAN bus. Also have a "club" like bar that has a combination lock. Use the latter in particularly vulnerable parking lots to deter the casual thief. The immobilizer will cover us most places. Hopefully it's close to fool proof, until the bad guys figure this out, but wife already said if this one gets stolen, we're buying something less desirable. Was 2 months of hell to get a car, work with the police, insurance company, etc.

Yesterday the police forces around here held a news conference whereby they announced they recovered something like 550+ cars worth some $27 million (can't recall the actual #'s). They are making headway, but it's still a huge issue. From here, a big city with large suburbs, cars are stolen, loaded into containers and shipped to the Port of Montreal or Halifax where they are exported. Huge business with organized crime involved. Didn't show all the cars, but most were Lexus RX, Range Rovers, Audis, Porsches, anything you can imagine.

I've spoken with the rep for the immobilizer and I can't get why the manufacturers don't just integrate that technology into the cars at the factory. He says it's because they don't have to. Until we as owners pipe up or we get the regulators to mandate it, this is going to keep happening.

 

It sounds like your safeguards should at least make a difference. We know nothing is crimeproof, but every little bit helps. I'd like to hear more about the immobilizer, like brand and price, if you don't mind. Does it lock on the obd port?

 

It is the Autowatch Ghost 2. They are based in England.

Separate electronics, very small, professionally installed inside the car somewhere up inside the dash where no thief can find it. As for price, I can't comment as it depends where it's purchased from. Dealers seem to charge more. I got mine direct from the Canadian rep and he supervised the installation at a local high end car electronics shop. In Canada, an installer can't do the work until they get a full background criminal check from the police. These are installed in the local, provincial and national police forces vehicles as well as private folks like us. There was a glitch with mine when I had the car in for the first service and the dealership plugged the car into their computer. Mine was the first to exhibit this fault, so Autowatch learned, rewrote some code, reinstalled the firmware and it's worked fine ever since. You can no longer just jump in and drive though, requires you to press you selected sequence of buttons inside the car and then you can go. So it's a bit of a hassle, but the extra 30 seconds to a minute is worth it to me.

 

no major issues.. Ive had my phone not connect via CarPlay a couple of times when I started my car, and my navi CarPlay froze ONCE, but other than that, nothing crazy.

 

That's a loaded question on this forum. Many owners state they have had zero problems other like me have had (and continue to have) issues mostly related to the new technology that came out with the 2022 NX. I won't go into the details but will say I bought the NX for my wife because I couldn't find a BMW X4. Would/will I buy another Lexus------------------------NO. Your 2016 is probably a better product than the new NX or RX, which share the same technology. To me (yes I said ME) the new technology is over kill. The build quality, fit and finish is very good and I love the digital rear view mirror. Just MHO.

 

I have always had Viper Alarm and Remote start system installed on my/wife's car. My car parks on the driveway and those bright blue LED night at night may be something that could deter potential thefts and move on to the next victim. I know nothing is theft proof, but it is better than nothing...

 

Returning to the original notion of this thread, in my experience with many premium and luxury badges over the span of decades, on these forums there is commonly far more grumpiness than cheer leading. What I'd say about the NX is there are far fewer complaints about things not working than any others in my memory. The technology is often a matter of learning the system which is very different than whether the windshield wipers are working. I don't have my NX350h yet so can't speak directly. But my current ride is a 2021 Volvo XC60 Inscription, loaded. I've had not a single issue with this car. But on the Volvo forum you'd think the car is almost junk. Which most owners in surveys say they's gladly buy again. I suspect a similar survey of NX owners would give an equal or greater level of endorsement.

 

That is the truth. Today I learned even more, I am not an NX Jedi yet it seems. In my earlier post I mentioned I initially had trouble with the hatch not fully closing a few times early on. Tonight I discovered why because it happened again but I am more used to how things work normally now. With the close and lock button, I've previously learned you have to step clear (quickly!) of the sensor range for the hatch to close (much further away than the normal close button). But, what I learned today is that if you wander back into the sensor range the hatch will stop right where it is. Fine if the hatch is halfway down you can see what happened. But if the hatch is almost closed, it will stop in the almost closed position making similar close noises and the lights flash twice instead of once. Looking at the hatch, it seems closed but it isn't. Lesson learned.

 

Droid13– thanks so much for this post. Such a classic example. Hope you’re loving your new ride and hoping I can say that too…when I finally have it!!!