2022-2024 Lexus NX 250 2.5L Engine (A25A-FKS): Problems, Longevity, and Specs

If you are keen on luxury SUVs but still are a little short of money, you may be interested in the cheapest trim of the Lexus NX called 250. This version is equipped with a pretty simple Toyota engine but it looks almost as cool as the more expensive versions of the NX and offers great tech onboard as well as a wonderful driving experience.

Today, I'll tell you about the 2.5L non-turbo and non-hybrid engine in the Lexus NX - I will cover its durability, quality, and will also look at the technologies inside it. This should be absolutely enough for you to understand if you should or shouldn't pay money for this engine or maybe you better look at something else on the market.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2017-2024
• Average lifespan of A25A-FKS:170,000-190,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:combined injection (D4-S)
• Power range:200-210 hp
• Fuel efficiency:good
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:mysterious noise from time to time, EGR leaks, other EGR problems, prospective timing chain issues.

What should you know about the NX 2.5L non-turbo engine?

This is the A25A-FKS engine developed by Toyota and used in Lexus NX and ES as well as in Toyota Camry, RAV4, and Avalon, in some markets. The engine was first used in Toyota vehicles in 2017, so it's quite a fresh powerplant. But still, we know a lot about its durability and common issues.

So, the 2.5L engine is the base engine that powers the most affordable version of the Lexus NX - the 250 trim. The NX250 starts at about $40,000. Hard to say if I think this is a fair price for a small SUV with a non-technological engine. But this is Lexus and you pay more for a brand than for technologies or technical specs.

Here are some facts about the 2.5L engine:

• this is a 2.5-liter non-turbocharged 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine that has a surprisingly high compression ratio of 13:1;
• the engine comes equipped with the 8-speed automatic transmission (simple and good) and FWD standard, AWD optional;
• the overall power is 203 horsepower and you will also get 184 lb-ft of torque - not something I would sell my soul for;
• the engine has the combined injection (port plus direct) which protects it from getting carbon buildup;
• the timing system is driven by the chain, the engine has VVT-i and VVT-iE valve timing systems combined;
• the fuel economy is just average - 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on highways, not bad but not shockingly good;
• the engine is just a simple and seemingly reliable Toyota powerplant that is made to get you from point A to point B without a bunch of emotions.

So, this is the cheapest NX version and yeah, it's not that cool to drive. But still, I appreciate that Lexus released this version for those who don't care about super-modern (and super-expensive) hybrid technologies and performance turbo engines. Although this won't be the most popular version of the NX, it's still going to find its buyers.

Lexus has been selling about 50,000 NX SUVs per year in the US. About 10% of them were hybrid. But with the new generation, Hybrid sales should go up because I see that hybrid powertrains become more affordable and more reasonable to buy. But let's go back to our base engine and see if you will want to buy it.

How long will the 2.5L engine last in the new Lexus NX 250?

So, if you have $40 to $46 thousand dollars and want a good and comfortable Lexus the NX 250 is a good choice for you. But you will want to know how many miles it will last until you have to repair or sell it.

My answer is simple: this engine and transmission will last approximately 180,000 miles. The main problem that may shorten the lifespan is bad maintenance. I often see that people keep maintaining their new cars until the warranty period is over. For the Lexus NX 250, it's just 4 years or 50,000 miles. After that, the vehicle is maintained randomly and this may lead to lots of issues.

The transmission is not bad and it's not going to cause a lot of problems unless it's ignored completely during maintenance. You will need to change transmission fluid at about 80,000 miles and then at 150,000 miles to ensure the transmission is OK to go further. But it's a traditional automatic transmission, not a CVT or DCT, so it's durable and good to go.

But the engine will not go more than 180,000 miles, on average. I just see all those eco-friendly technologies that literally choke this wonderful engine and shorten its lifespan. Unfortunately, this is our new reality in the world of hybrids and EVs. If you want a pure gasoline-powered vehicle, you will not get the proper longevity. Even if it's a Toyota or Lexus.

What are some common problems with the 2.5L engine in the NX?

Unfortunately, I have a lot to say in this section of the article. For some engines, I spend hours and even days finding and compiling the list of common issues that you should expect. But for the A25A-FKS, everything is clear and on the surface. Some Camry owners have already taken this engine over 150,000 miles and what they saw there was pretty awful.

Let's see what you should expect to happen with this engine at high mileage:

1. EGR issues

The EGR system is one of the ecology-backed add-ons to the gasoline engines in Toyota. After about 100K miles, you will start getting issues with the EGR. It may clog and get stuck which will result in the limp mode or just severe power loss. Driving your Lexus with a stuck EGR valve is not something pleasant, so you will obviously want to drive directly to the dealership or repair shop.

One more problem is that EGR valves in these engines are not repairable and should be replaced, in most cases. Prices are not something that will make you happy.

2. EGR cooler cracking

Sometimes, this may even happen when the engine is still under warranty (what a bad strategical mistake, Lexus!) And the cracked EGR cooler will most likely leak antifreeze directly into the combustion chamber. It means your NX 250 will produce a cloud of white smoke from the tailpipe and you will think it's dying.

But EGR cooler replacement is not a big deal. One of the biggest problems is that you need to solve this problem immediately to avoid other issues with your exhaust system and other units.

3. Weird noises under the hood

I spoke to some people on Lexus forums who reported strange noises and bumps from the engine bay when driving their Lexus NX 250. They all said that dealerships couldn't find the reason for the problem. So, they just keep driving with these weird noises that are hard to diagnose and locate.

4. Engine shutting off at traffic lights

When you first encounter this problem, you may think this is the start-stop system glitching. But no, this is a pretty common issue with the 2.5L engine in the new Lexus NX 250 which is reported by dozens of drivers. And you know what? Dealerships are again helpless and can't solve the issue or even locate the reason for it.

5. Loss of power and bad fuel economy

This is a naturally aspirated engine with an initially limited amount of power - just 203 hp is not enough for cool driving. You may expect that the engine will make you happy when you look at the fuel consumption section on the trip computer. But no, almost all owners of the NX 250 agree that the SUV consumes more fuel than expected and stated by Lexus and EPA.

The reason for this - you are driving Lexus and want good acceleration and great emotions from it. But this engine is not capable of delivering those advantages, and you will rotate it like crazy to compensate for low power. This will lead to bad fuel consumption.

How can you prolong the life of your NX 250 engine?

The 2.5L Toyota engine that powers the Lexus NX 250 is not hopeless when it comes to durability. First of all, it's more durable than the majority of hybrid engines or turbocharged units in the range of Lexus. Secondly, you can prolong its life just by maintaining the vehicle properly.

Here are some tips for this:

• change oil and filters more often than requested by Lexus;
• avoid revving up this engine if not necessary for your safety;
• keep an eye on EGR - it may fail literally any minute;
• replace the timing chain at 80,000 miles and then at 150,000 miles;
• change transmission fluid at 80,000 and 150,000 miles;
• use OEM parts and fluids when you service this engine;
• watch out for any leaks and deal with them immediately;
• let the engine idle for 30-50 seconds before you start driving in the morning.

These simple tips will allow you to prolong the life of the engine and take it well over 200,000 miles. If you just drive it as all American owners do, you can't expect more than 180K miles from this 2.5L engine in the Lexus NX.