2022-2024 Lexus NX 350 2.4L Turbo Engine (T24A-FTS): Problems, Longevity, and Specs

If you are thinking of buying a Lexus NX 350, you may wonder what kind of engine powers this vehicle. The SUV comes with a very solid 2.4-liter straight-four engine that also powers numerous other cars made by Toyota and Lexus. But if you try to search for more information about this engine, you may find that there isn't much available. The engine is new and was only introduced in 2021.

Today, I will tell you more about the new 2.4L Turbo engine that powers the Lexus NX 350 version and about its common issues that may spoil your mood. To start with, I want to say that the T24A-FTS engine seems to be one of the coolest units offered by Toyota after 2020. It combines all the new technologies with the proper specs for a luxury car.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2021-2024
• Average lifespan ofT24A-FTS:160,000-180,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:combined injection (D4-ST)
• Power range:270-280 hp
• Fuel efficiency:good
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:some electronics and software glitches, vibrations when cold, potential issues with chain.

Key facts about the NX 350 engine - is it good?

Yes, it's really good and worth its money. You pay just a little more than for the 2.5L base engine but you get so much more with this unit under the hood. It's powerful, technological, and very much fun to drive. The engine also powers the new Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX 350, and also several local models of Lexus and Toyota in Japan.

Even though I can't say for sure about the overall quality now, I can assume that the powerplant is going to be better than anything else Toyota has ever offered in this class. Of course, you shouldn't compare it to those legendary V6 engines but they are now history. If you want a gas engine with some slight hybrid-like technologies, the T24A-FTS is right for you.

Here's what you should know about this engine:

• it's a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with a displacement of 2.4 liters that offers the power of 275 hp and also 317 lb-ft of torque;
• the twin-scroll turbocharger is very efficient and allows to get over 100 horsepower from 1 liter of displacement without sacrificing the engine's longevity (hopefully);
• the fuel injection is combined (D-4ST), so carbon buildup problems will not bother you;
• the engine has phasers on both camshafts which make it ever more efficient and precise in its working cycles;
• the timing system is expectedly driven by the chain and here comes the first potential problem with the durability of the chain;
• this engine is equipped with a very solid and long-lasting 8-speed automatic transmission, a great choice for the NX;
• also, all NX 350 versions come with the AWD, so no need to pay extra for it;
• the engine offers 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on highways which may spoil your mood a little.

So far, everything seems to be really good but the gas mileage. We are used to much better mileage because most of the SUVs in this class are implementing some kind of hybrid technology. For the NX 350, everything it has from a hybrid is just a tricky start-stop technology. But the huge power and focus on performance obviously affect its gas mileage.

Other than that, I just can't find anything super bad that would make you think twice before the purchase. Of course, this engine is still going to cause some problems in the future, like any other powerplant in the world. But if you are the owner of the new NX 350, you aren't likely to regret your choice.

How long will the T24A-FTS engine last in the NX?

The 2.4L Turbo engine in the Lexus NX is not going to last forever. Toyota has never tried to hide the fact that new gas engines are becoming less durable and maybe are going to go extinct in several years. So, the 2.4L Turbo engine in the new NX is something like one of the last solid engines engineered by Toyota.

I expect that the engine will go about 170,000 miles without any problems at all, just some minor issues that are easy to cope with. Major problems will start coming after that and I wouldn't recommend owning this car after it reaches that mileage.

I should also say that the durability of this engine is questionable because of several common issues. Maybe, if you manage to maintain this powerplant better than Lexus requires, it can even go more miles and years.

Anyway, the all-aluminum engine with a big turbocharger and huge power will not last too long, and you should know this before you pay your money to one of Lexus dealers.

What are the common problems with the 2.4L Turbo in the NX?

Although the engine is very fresh, we already know about some common issues that have been reported by owners. The engine is pretty common all over the world, especially in the Lexus RX and Toyota Highlander models. In many markets, the Highlander is only equipped with this engine.

So, I've spent quite a lot of time searching for the issues that I can call common. Here they are:

1. Fuel injection issues

Even relatively new engines suffer from fuel injection problems. I've managed to find several dozens of complaints from different markets where the quality of fuel is not perfect. But it means that at 50-60 thousand miles, even with perfect fuel, the engine will show some injection problems.

Combined fuel injection in the 2.4L Turbo engine saves it from carbon buildup but doesn't save from tons of other issues because the system is very demanding of the quality and pureness of fuel. I recommend changing the gas filter at every regular maintenance.

2. EGR cooler issues

I've also found the first registered reports about the issues with the EGR cooler - just like in all other engines of the family. The EGR cooler may crack quite early and start leaking antifreeze directly into the combustion chamber. This triggers white smoke from the tailpipe and also a quick drop in antifreeze level. After some time, the engine may start overheating and new problems will come.

EGR itself may clog at about 100,000 miles. Although I haven't seen T24A-FTS engines with bad EGR valves yet, I'm pretty sure Toyota didn't change its engineering much and the problem will appear in the NX 350.

3. Timing chain issues

While Toyota and Lexus say that the chain in the 2.4L Turbo engine is set to be there forever, I completely disagree with this statement. Yes, Toyota's chains are much more reliable than those of Hyundai, for example. But they are still not eternal. And if you don't check the chain and don't replace it when needed, it will kill your engine eventually.

The timing chain tends to stretch over time. While the tensioner may compensate for the stretch, it's OK. But at some point, the tensioner will stop helping and the chain will stretch fatally. It will start rattling silently and if this symptom is overlooked, the chain will jump or break. After that, the 2.4L Turbo engine will most likely be thrown away.

4. Electronics problems

Numerous electronic glitches are reported even now by Lexus NX 350 owners. The 2.4L turbocharged engine appeared to be even more glitchy than its predecessors and brothers. I see that the turbocharger may work incorrectly because of electronic failure. Also, the NX may throw some error messages or codes without any problems backing those codes.

The engine may have unstable idling suddenly and then it all goes back to normal. It may vibrate one bad morning and then it will just stop doing this. Dealerships get a lot of these reports and they have one tip for all of them: just drive a little more and see if the problem disappears. Cool, but I've paid about $50K and want my new Lexus to be a little more reliable and stable.

How can you prolong the life of the 2.4L Turbo engine in the NX?

You can try and make your 2.4L Turbo engine in the Lexus NX 350 live longer. First of all, don't forget that it's super sensitive to regular maintenance. Also, don't forget that the chain is not eternal and needs to be checked at 80,000 miles and maybe just replaced at 120,000 miles.

The quality of parts and fluids you use is vitally important. Better always choose OEM options for this engine. Don't change the recommended viscosity of the oil although it may seem weird to you - oil look just like water.

Pay attention to any warning messages. If they are consistent and change the way the engine works, the best thing to do is to let professionals inspect the vehicle. Otherwise, it may throw some surprises and any minor problem can quickly grow into a fatal issue.

Buy high-quality fuel for this engine - it won't stand any experiments with gasoline.

Now you know how to get your 2.4L Turbo engine in the NX to at least its average longevity of 170,000 miles. By following these simple tips, you will obviously expect even more miles from this wonderful powerplant.