LexusRX3502021Overview/lexus/rx350/2021/base/

2021 Lexus RX350

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 RX350.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Lexus RX350, recorded in its Overview, carries a 5.7‑quart oil capacity with 0W‑20 viscosity and is paired with an Automatic (S8) transmission. It achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 city, 27 highway, and 23 combined mpg. Owner complaints have dropped to 70, a marked reduction from the 225 complaints recorded at the model’s peak in 2007, and the vehicle’s two recalls reflect a relatively stable safety record. Overall, the 2021 model year sits at the low end of a complaint history that spans 2004‑2019, indicating improved reliability compared with earlier generations.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 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 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTRN1OEM · verified
Tire size235/65R18 106VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter178010P051
Spark plug9091901263
Battery2880038080
Front wiper blades852220E081 alt 852120E081
Serpentine belt90916A2026
Thermostat1632631050 alt 1603131031
Cabin air filter871390E040

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-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 5.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, SAE 75W · API · GL-5 in the differential, 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 Capacity4.4 qt
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · Dot 3
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · API · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.48-0.58 Qts.
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant CapacityEquipped with Rear No. 2 Seat
Engine Oil0W-20

Engine torques

Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Flex or Driveplate BoltsDrive Plate to Crankshaft: 61.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug5.416 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Transaxle in Park or Neutral rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFK20HBR8
Spark Plug GapNew: 0.0276-0.0315 in.; New: 0.0433 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil TypeND-12
Oil Capacity1.350 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumStandard: 28.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumStandard: 121.0 psi
Residual Pressure14.0.
Engine Compression142-189 PSI. 15 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression152
Engine Oil Pressure4.4 psi minimum @ Idle psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM29 psi minimum @ 3,000 RPM

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 114.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 111.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0394; Rear: 0.0394 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .984; Rear: 650
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .006

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 every 60,000 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) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · 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) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 RX350 sits toward the lower end of the complaint/recall arc that began in 2007, when complaints spiked to 225, and tapered to 64 in 2019. Across the 2004‑2019 window, recalls climbed from 1 in 2004 to a peak of 4 in 2019, with 2016 and 2017 each recording three recalls, while investigations remained at zero after 2006. The 2021 model records 43 complaints in the Air Bags area, the highest single complaint category for that year, yet overall complaints (not given) would likely be lower than the 2007 peak. Fire complaints are zero and crash complaints total nine, indicating no extreme safety outliers. Given the decline in overall complaints and recalls relative to the 2007 high, 2021 is a comparatively stable year, making it a reasonable choice for a used purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
124
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
70
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 0 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 70 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags43
Seat Belts4
Tires2
Unknown Or Other2
Structure,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Visibility/Wiper1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Service Brakes1

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 124 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…
23LD012025-12-05Structure23LD01 Expired on November 30, 2025 The involved RX350 vehicles equipped with the Tow…
23LD012025-12-05Structure23LD01 Expired on November 30, 2025 The involved RX350 vehicles equipped with the Tow…

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 RX350. 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 RX350 take?

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

Does the 2021 RX350 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RX350 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.