2021 Lexus RX350 Filler Pipe and Cap Recall (21V043)

Recall 21V043 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Lexus RX350 in recall 21V043?

The transport hook may not have been removed prior to sale.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Lexus) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus RX350 and 2021 RX350 vehicles. The transport hook may not have been removed prior to sale. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 RX350 with recall 21V043?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: During a rear-end crash, the transport hook can damage the fuel filler pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: During a rear-end crash, the transport hook can damage the fuel filler pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your RX350 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the filler pipe and cap, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V043?

Recall 21V043 covers 1,081 vehicles: 2021 Lexus RX350.

NHTSA lists 1,081 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the RX350 filler pipe and cap recall?

Yes. Lexus will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, remove the rear transport hook, free of charge.

Lexus will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, remove the rear transport hook, free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Lexus' number for this recall is 21LA01.

When was recall 21V043 announced?

Toyota Motor Corporation reported recall 21V043 to NHTSA on February 3, 2021.

This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your RX350 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my RX350 is part of recall 21V043?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V043 is open on your RX350, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 RX350 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should RX350 owners do about recall 21V043?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V043000 applies to your RX350.
2. Call a Lexus dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the filler pipe and cap happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are RX350 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the fuel system.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the fuel system have been filed since recall 21V043 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the fuel system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Lexus RX350: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the fuel system

Can recall 21V043 make my RX350 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Fuel system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks or a fire risk. Repeat stalling after a recall repair is a strong sign the fix did not work.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Lexus RX350 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the RX350 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V043