2021 Lexus RC
Gas Compact car
The 2021 Lexus RC is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RC 300, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC 300 | Gas | RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,100 |
| RC 350 | Gas | RWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,350 |
| RC 300 AWD | Gas | AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,500 |
| RC 350 AWD | Gas | AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,500 |
| RC F | Gas | RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,100 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2021 Lexus RC is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline
highProblem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB05 and 26LA05.
Tires
highProblem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Lexus) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lexus RC F vehicles. The tire information label does not list the vehicle's weight capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: The vehicle can be overloaded without the weight capacity information, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 25, 2022. Owners may contact Lexus' customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA03.
Owner complaints
No owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Crash ratings
NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.
Other RC model years
2025 RC
0 recalls · 1 complaints
A2024 RC
0 recalls · 0 complaints
A2023 RC
0 recalls · 0 complaints
B2022 RC
2 recalls · 1 complaints
B2020 RC
2 recalls · 2 complaints
C2019 RC
3 recalls · 4 complaints
D2018 RC
3 recalls · 2 complaints
C2017 RC
3 recalls · 9 complaints
A2016 RC
1 recalls · 3 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 43233, 43231, 43230, 43232, 43234). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.