Is it the vehicle or is it the buyers expectations that generate so many TSB’?

Was doing a little research and found that the 2022 RX has had 27 TSB’s issued. Luckily most of them didn’t concern me.

ive got a new NX coming in soon so I decided to check it out also. So far there have been 16 TSB’s on the 2025. Not too alarming at all until I realized the 2024 had 91 TSB’s. That’s a crazy amount of complaints and issues. Many of them were non starters but still, 91

i realize that many people that frequent these boards do so to get an answer to an issue they are having or to just gain knowledge on a product they own or are considering so quite a few threads will be about problems so I’m wondering about whether I made the right decision or if buying an X1/X3 might have been a wiser decision. That’s why I turned to the TSB info before asking people here if they would still buy an NX if they had a do over? I’ve had some type of Lexus for the last 15 years. Have had ES’s and RX’s with luxury packages in all of them. I’m a product snob because none of mine have ever seen the service dept with any problems other that a floor mat and air bag recalls.

Edit: Should have added that the NX holds its book value much better than an X1/3. The BMW has a terrible 3 year depreciation!. But, depreciation cannot be the only thing I look at. There has to be some type of fun factor considered along with reliably and total cost of ownership.

 

Its most likely a combination of both. I'm coming from a 22 Turbo, and back into a 25 Hybrid. The 25 feels like a far more polished product, I hope that it continues that trend as it ages. My 22 especially after a couple of years, started to not feel like a Lexus product anymore. That being said, this is a newer generation of Lexus so there are far more kinks for them to work out. Depending on what's important to you, would make sense to look at different cars.

 

Let me be clear I love my NX. Let me also be clear theres definitely room for improvement!

Curious to hear others thoughts and opinions. Mine generally revolve around my buying a Lexus for what I feel is the sweet spot between quality, reliability, and luxury. Personally, I wish they’d focus/minimize some of the controllable factors for quality/reliability: namely consolidate drivetrain types, fix 12v issues (and that means both bigger/better 12v AND minimizing draw on the battery IE no electronic door handles, options to stop draw that include telematic data transmission). I get the creeping feeling that the quality/reliability is sinking, due to not focusing on fundamentals. Yeah that sounds vague, but 12v/starting the car is fundamental.

 

This my 1st Lexus, a 25 NX 350. I chose it for features like the turbo, panoramic roof, surround view monitor, heads up display, things that were missing or of poor quality on other vehicles that I checked out. I purchased August 2025, now at 4,500 miles.
Took me awhile to get use to the information system, buttons, etc. I am really enjoying the ride, comfort, acceleration, the overall quality and feel when driving.
I have found that many reviews : CR, MotorTrend, Car&Driver, etc. that rate Lexus quality among the best.
When I find some minor issue or I’m looking for information and help I usually get the answers and help right here on ClubLexus.

 

Even with the poor electronics, I still look forward to many years of service, based on Toyota drivetrain engineering. Yeah my radio sucks, but other manufacturers have just as many problems. It would be beneficial to look into what "category" these problems fall into, i.e. drivetrain, electronics, door handles? When others are losing transmissions and lifters and such, it does bring you back to reality. I have looked into some of the 1 year buyers complaints, and a lot of things are stupid, and Lexus seems to want to please the customer more than most makers, so I assume that is where a lot of these come from. Cost of ownership compared to BMW? Hahaha...

Exciting might be a highest level Mercedes GLA or Audi Q3 ??

If money weren't a concern, I might try the highest plugin RX next time. Smoother ride and more power.

 

If I had to do this all over again, I would still buy my NX. The biggest issue was really the 12V battery dying and that was almost 2 years in owning the car before it died. I have had a habit of just letting it run longer if I took short drives. Since I do have the PHEV, I would also not turn it off to go pick up something. I have been very vocal on the issues that I have experienced and I have owned 2 1st gen NXs and never had to go back to the dealership for any repairs. Only regular maintenance and that is it. 2nd gen definitely has more things they are still working out. Keep in mind that the NX was one of the first models to get LSS+ 3.0, first to get the electronic door latches and the first few to get the Lexus Interface as well.

They have worked out many of the minor issues that some people got upfront like the gas door cannot open, the back row light was stuck, door handles frozen, etc... but mine never had those issues even when it's an early copy of the NX.

 

I have a 450h+, generally speaking it's an excellent car.
My biggest annoyances:
1. Durability/quality of the interior - dashboard easily scratched, other areas easily scratched too, too much glossy plastic. It feels like they cheaped out on the interior.
2. Suspension needs a little bit of improvement - can be overcome by using sport mode AVS and I think they've fixed this in later MY's
3. Lack of bug fix firmware updates and improvements to the infotainment - The UX needs work. I also have confirmed/reproduced/DPR'ed outstanding minor bugs I reported to Lexus over 2 years ago that should be an easy fix but haven't been fixed. I've had no firmware updates in almost a year. They really need to get with it and stop being quite so old fashioned and conservative with these sorts of things. How about doing updates half yearly or quarterly with improvements and bug fixes.
4. Heating of the foot well could be better. I find on cold mornings I get cold feet.

That's pretty much it. Everything else is generally very good for me.

 

Wife with 2023 NX350h and friend with same. Neither have had one problem. Both love them.
NX rated by IHSS as the safest luxury small SUV.

 

I was surprised when I read the original poster mention that the 2024 NX had already received 91 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). I own a 2024 NX 350h base model with some add-ons (which I chose for personal reasons). I think I miss the 14-inch screen and ML audio (I know forum is divided on this). I purchased my car in September 2023, and it has been 14.5 months with 14,000 miles on the odometer as of today. Surprisingly, I haven’t encountered any issues (like zero). In fact, I haven’t had any recalls performed, no complaints, or anything negative to report about the NX’s ride quality or vibrations. Of course, I haven’t driven or owned a luxury car before, so I can’t compare how well it should be or how impeccable the quality of materials inside should be. However, the fuel economy, comfort, and reliability are exactly what I expected for the price I paid. Personally, I’m looking forward to many years of peace and contentment with my NX. While driving on freeways and at higher speeds, I can notice the road noise, but it seems like the consensus is that this is due to the infamous RFTs. Apart from that, I’m one of the fully satisfied NX owners.

 

I have a 22 NX 350h Luxury and have had basically no problems except one dead battery when Lexus took the car through the car was. I noticed you moniker of 45+ mpg club. I am am a fan of hyper mileage coming from Priuses and one CT200h. Pulse and Glide and anticipation and very casual driving (i.e. low highway speed) are the key. High miles per hour on the highway and the coefficient of drag can really lower the mpg. I was getting about 45 mpg also and improved it by a little over 1 mpg by getting ceramic coating and always keeping the car pristine clean.

My question is to you have you thought about ceramic coating or are you already using it.

keep the high mileage ageing.

YMMV,
MidCow3

P.S. - My NX was getting too low of miles per gallon so I drive my very high mpg car more also lack of spare is a big issue.

 

What Freds430 said.

 

Hi @midcow3 ! So, I had my NX ceramic coated from a local shop right after the second month of owning it. I was thinking about getting PPF in the future, but you warned me that it might not stick well since my car has ceramic coating. Also, my MPG has gone down from the 45 MPG club I was in. I’ve been driving mostly on the freeway and doing some long drives too. I don’t know if I mentioned this, but after exactly one year, I switched from premium to regular gas to see if there was any difference in fuel economy or engine performance. I also think the winter season might be a reason for the drop in fuel economy. But I’ll report back after exactly one year with my observations.

 

I wouldn't get too worried about the number of TSBs that have been issues. if you look thru them you realize many are basically house keeping items. There are TSBs on how to properly secure your mats to the floor with the hooks; TSBs on the difference between lug bolts and nuts and making sure to get the proper rims. If I was to go thru all of the TSBs, there would be some there that describe how to wash your car properly too. But seriously, many of the TSBs are basically just addendums to the service manual providing additional information on how various things should work or how things should be done (like methods for flashing new firmware).

 

NX450h+ Takumi UK MY 2024
Bought first Lexus for my wife. Replacing an X3.
She hates it.
Battery is prime issue. Went flat while loading the car in Spain. Wife got into car just before it went flat and then could not open any door. Leaving for ferry back to UK.
Had to call international assistance. Managed to get door open and release her after 10 minutes. International assist jump started car but it then demanded
a password. International assistance could not help.
After many phone calls, current dealer said contact original, UK main gave me a code which did not work, original dealer said I had to bring the car in!!! 2000mls and a ferry crossing!!!
Luckily had an old Garmin which provided satnav and essential speedometer in either miles or km - this being disabled without password.

Eventually arrived back at Lexus Carlisle for two minutes where they entered their dealer code. It had been altered from the UK standard setting - I suspect
to stop other dealers!

Can you understand why my wife does not trust reliable Lexus?

Then there is the electronics - it randomly changes between miles and km on the Satnav - ignoring all settings.

We have to keep keys (after finally getting second key!!!) in rfid pouch or it flips between my key and wife’s key whenever one gets out of car - profiles thus useless.
It demands a password while driving - try that in the middle of Madrid!

Lexus UK and current local dealer , who at least does try his best, are of little help.

The car is great for a single driver. If you can live with the 12v battery issue.
Great if you do not travel to the EU in a UK car. Or are happy with random satnav mls/km.
Not to mention RFT and no spare.
Or sky high insurance costs due to the most stolen car in UK through key and wiring “features”?

How would you feel with these unfixable issues?
Happy with them then buy Lexus - if not, find a reliable and safe car.


Edit - forgot to mention the App Lexus Link + , Lexus UK have been trying to fix that for 18mths - still full of bugs

 

when you say after a couple of years it started not feeling like a Lexus anymore, please elaborate…I ask because I’m considering a ‘22. Thanks