Lexus NX Dash Cam Adapter — Dongar Technologies

12 Years of Coverage

Lexus NX Dash Cam Adapter

Plug & play dash cam power for every Lexus NX generation — 2015 to 2026
<5 min
Install time
7
Submodels covered
18W
True USB-C output
3 yr
Warranty

The Lexus NX is one of the best-selling compact luxury SUVs in North America, and Dongar covers every generation from 2015 to 2026. Whether you have the original NX200t, the mid-cycle NX300, or the completely redesigned 2022+ NX with its plug-in hybrid NX450h+ option, there's a Dongar adapter that fits. Premium Lexus owners expect a clean, factory-quality install — and that's exactly what you get with plug & play.

Why not just hardwire? Lexus owners invest in a premium vehicle — and a hardwire kit with exposed add-a-fuse wiring doesn't match that standard. Dongar's plug & play adapters connect inline at the rearview mirror or TSS computer. No cutting, no splicing, no tools, and everything hides underneath the plastic mirror shroud. Your Lexus stays pristine.

Which Adapter Fits Your Lexus NX?

2022–2026 NX (NX250, NX350, NX350h, NX450h+)

The redesigned second-generation NX uses a 10-pin mirror connector and a 16-pin TSS 3.0 computer connector behind the mirror shroud.

Submodel Mirror (DCA-10B) TSS 3.0 (DCA-16T) PRO / PRO+
NX250 ✓ (Harness 10B)
NX350 ✓ (Harness 10B)
NX350h ✓ (Harness 10B)
NX450h+ ✓ (Harness 10B)

2020–2021 NX (NX300, NX300h)

The 2020–2021 facelift NX added Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 with a 12-pin TSS connector, while retaining the 10-pin mirror connector.

Submodel Mirror (DCA-10B) TSS 2.5 (DCA-12T) PRO / PRO+
NX300 ✓ (Harness 10B)
NX300h ✓ (Harness 10B)

2015–2019 NX (NX200t, NX300, NX300h)

The original NX features a 10-pin auto-dimming mirror connector with Homelink — perfect for the DCA-10B.

Submodel Mirror (DCA-10B) PRO / PRO+
NX200t (2015–2017) ✓ (Harness 10B)
NX300 (2018–2019) ✓ (Harness 10B)
NX300h (2015–2019) ✓ (Harness 10B)
All NX models with Homelink use Harness 10B for PRO. Every Lexus NX comes standard with an auto-dimming mirror with Homelink, making the DCA-10B the universal connection point across all 12 years and 7 submodels. The PRO and PRO+ include Harness 10B in the box.

Connection Points Explained

Rearview Mirror

DCA-10B (all NX years)

Plugs into the 10-pin auto-dimming mirror connector underneath the plastic mirror shroud. USB output mounts on the windshield near the mirror — easy to access and disconnect. Available on every NX from 2015 to 2026.

TSS 3.0 Computer

DCA-16T (2022–2026 NX only)

Shares power from the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 lane-trace assist computer near the mirror base. Does NOT connect to the mirror itself. A second connection option for the redesigned NX platform.

TSS 2.5 Computer

DCA-12T (2020–2021 NX only)

Shares power from the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 computer. Available as an alternative connection on the 2020–2021 facelift NX models alongside the DCA-10B mirror adapter.

Don't confuse the connectors! Behind the mirror shroud on 2020+ NX models, you'll see both the mirror connector (10-pin) and the TSS computer connector (12-pin or 16-pin). They look similar but are different products for different connectors. The DCA-10B pamphlet warns: "Most Toyotas have a 12-Pin Safety Sense Connector that can easily be confused with your rearview mirror connection: DO NOT UNPLUG THIS." Use the Compatibility Finder to confirm which adapter you need.

How to Install

Mirror Install (DCA-10B) — All NX Years

  1. Tilt your rearview mirror down and remove the plastic mirror shroud/cover
  2. Locate the 10-pin mirror connector underneath the plastic mirror shroud — NOT the nearby TSS connector (if present)
  3. Unplug the mirror harness
  4. Plug the Dongar adapter inline between the harness and mirror
  5. Route the USB-C cable behind the headliner to your dash cam
  6. Replace the shroud — done

TSS Install (DCA-16T / DCA-12T)

  1. Tilt the rearview mirror down and remove the plastic mirror shroud
  2. Locate the TSS lane-trace computer connector (16-pin on 2022+, 12-pin on 2020–2021) — this is separate from the mirror connector
  3. Unplug the TSS harness
  4. Plug the Dongar adapter inline between the harness and TSS module
  5. Route the USB-C cable behind the headliner to your dash cam
  6. Replace the shroud — done
Pro tip: The DCA-10B mirror adapter is the simplest universal option for the Lexus NX — it works across all years and all submodels. If you're unsure which to get, start with the DCA-10B.

Parking Mode

Want your dash cam recording while your Lexus NX is parked? You have options:

A word about parking mode: It sounds great on paper — your dash cam watches your car 24/7. In reality, memory cards fill up quickly with motion-triggered clips (especially in busy parking lots), and most front-only or front+rear cameras won't capture a side-impact hit-and-run anyway. Repeated charge/discharge cycles can also wear on your vehicle battery over time. That said, if you do want parking mode, the Dongar approach gives you more flexibility than generic hardwire kits — easy install, easy removal, and built-in voltage cutoff to protect your battery. That's why we invented these products: to give you more options, not fewer.

Dongar PRO PMA-01

3-position switch:
• IGN — on with engine only
• Timed — 4 hours after parking
• Continuous — up to 36 hrs, 11.8V cutoff

Includes 5A + 5C + 10B harnesses in one box. Use Harness 10B for Lexus NX.

Dongar PRO+ PRS-01

OLED display + one-button menu:
• Custom voltage cutoff (0.01V precision)
• Custom timer (hrs + mins, default 8hr)
• Energy Budget mode (Eco/Normal/Heavy)
• 5V always-on + Parking Mode CC for Viofo/RedTiger

Same harnesses as PRO. Swap module & mount if upgrading.

NX450h+ PHEV owners: Your plug-in hybrid has a massive traction battery that charges the 12V auxiliary battery. This means extended parking mode is even less of a concern for your battery — the PHEV system provides a significantly larger energy reserve. The PRO's low-voltage cutoff provides an extra safety net regardless, but NX450h+ owners can run parking mode longer with more confidence than any other NX variant.
Using a Viofo or RedTiger dash cam? These cameras have non-standard USB-C implementations. The Dongar PRO+ has dedicated "5V Output Always-On" and "Parking Mode CC" settings that bypass the USB-C handshake, letting these cameras properly enter and exit parking mode. The PRO will keep them recording continuously, but they won't enter their low-power standby state.

What Lexus Owners Are Saying

The Dongar adapter was the cleanest install I've ever done on any vehicle. No wires showing, no panels removed permanently. Exactly what you want for a Lexus.

— Verified Lexus Owner, Amazon Review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I love the Dongar. After years of dumb cigarette lighter cables that are impractical to run from a center console up to the windshield, the Dongar makes it really easy.

— u/AlpacaNeb, Reddit • Dongar Customer

As advertised... It was plug and play into the digital rear view mirror. Worked great. Easy install, no unsightly wiring hanging off the camera.

— Anthony, Amazon Review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Premium install for a premium vehicle. Lexus owners consistently tell us the #1 reason they chose Dongar over a hardwire kit is the clean, invisible installation. No exposed wiring, no modified trim panels, no voided warranties. The adapter hides entirely behind the mirror shroud — exactly the factory-quality finish Lexus drivers expect.

Dongar vs. Traditional Hardwire Kits

Feature Dongar Adapter Traditional Hardwire Kit
Install time <5 minutes 30–90 minutes
Tools required None Trim removal tools, wire strippers, multimeter
Reversible? ✓ Completely — unplug and done ✗ Permanent modification to fuse box
Wire routing Minimal — starts at mirror Full A-pillar run from fuse box
Fuse box access Not needed Required — may need cover removal
Warranty concern No modifications to vehicle wiring Taps into OEM fuse circuits
Parking mode ✓ PRO / PRO+ with voltage cutoff ✓ With separate battery drain protection
USB-C output ✓ True 18W PD ✗ Usually mini-USB or barrel plug
Lease-friendly? ✓ Remove at lease end, no trace ✗ Permanent wiring changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Dongar adapter do I need for my Lexus NX?

It depends on your model year. 2015–2019 (NX200t, NX300, NX300h): DCA-10B (mirror adapter). 2020–2021 (NX300, NX300h): DCA-10B (mirror) or DCA-12T (TSS 2.5 computer). 2022–2026 (NX250, NX350, NX350h, NX450h+): DCA-10B (mirror) or DCA-16T (TSS 3.0 computer). The DCA-10B works across all years. Use the Compatibility Finder to confirm.

Does the NX450h+ plug-in hybrid have an advantage for parking mode?

Yes. The NX450h+ has a large traction battery that keeps the 12V auxiliary battery topped up. This means you can run extended parking mode sessions with significantly less risk of draining the starting battery compared to the gas-only NX250 or NX350. The Dongar PRO's low-voltage cutoff provides a safety net regardless, and the PRO+ lets you fine-tune the exact voltage cutoff and timer for your specific usage.

Will a Dongar adapter interfere with Lexus Safety System+ (TSS)?

No. The DCA-10B connects to the mirror, which is completely separate from the TSS system. If you use the DCA-16T or DCA-12T (which connect to the TSS computer), the adapter taps power inline without interrupting the safety sense data signal. Pre-collision, lane departure, and adaptive cruise control all continue to function normally.

How does the Dongar PRO know when to start and stop parking mode?

The Dongar PRO detects ignition state through the mirror harness. When you turn the NX off, the PRO switches to parking mode automatically based on your selected setting: IGN (off immediately), Timed (4 hours then off), or Continuous (runs until 11.8V battery cutoff, up to 36 hours). The PRO+ adds a custom timer, custom voltage cutoff, and energy budget mode for even more control.

Can I use the same adapter if I upgrade from a 2021 NX to a 2022+ NX?

Yes — the DCA-10B works on both generations. The 10-pin mirror connector is the same across all NX years (2015–2026). If you have a DCA-12T from your 2020–2021, that will NOT work on the 2022+ (which uses the 16-pin DCA-16T for TSS). But the DCA-10B transfers directly.

Installation Resources

Product Install Pamphlet (PDF)
DCA-10B (10-Pin Mirror) Download PDF
DCA-16T (16-Pin TSS 3.0) Download PDF
DCA-12T (12-Pin TSS 2.5) Download PDF
Dongar PRO (PMA-01) Download PDF
Dongar PRO+ (PRS-01) Download PDF

As Featured In

TechRadar: "This ingenious adapter is the dash cam installation hack I've been waiting for"

autoevolution: "Dongar Dashcam Adapters Are the Automotive Accessory You Didn't Know You Needed"

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