Home › Lexus › RX › 2016
2016 Lexus RX: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2016 Lexus RX has 93 owner complaints on file with NHTSA and 3 recalls[1][2]. Brakes and air bags are the groups with the most crashes in those complaints, 7 each, and air bags have the most injuries, 6[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Of those, 14 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 7 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.
- Brakes: 15 complaints, 7 crashes and 1 injury[3]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a car that did not slow or stop as expected. One describes a loss of brake assist.
- Power train: 13 complaints, 1 crash[7]. In the sample, owners describe hesitation, jerking or rough shifting. A couple describe transmission fluid leaking from cooler lines.
- Engine: 11 complaints, 1 fire and 3 injuries[8]. In the sample, owners describe oil leaking from the timing cover area. One describes overheating and one describes smoke and fire under the hood.
- Air bags: 11 complaints, 7 crashes and 6 injuries[4]. In the sample, owners describe air bags that did not deploy in a collision. One describes air bags going off with no impact.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints, 1 crash[9].
- Structure: 10 complaints, 3 crashes and 4 injuries[10].
- Visibility/wiper: 6 complaints, no crashes or injuries[11].
The largest single group is "unknown or other" with 23 complaints[12]. That label does not tell you what failed, so we do not read anything into it.
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. They show what owners chose to report, not how often a part fails.
Recalls
NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year, newest first.
- Air bag sensors (18V085). Filed January 31, 2018, covering 48,672 vehicles across several Toyota and Lexus models, including the RX 350 and RX 450h[13]. Pressure or acceleration sensors may fail. If they do, the side curtain or front air bags might stay folded in a crash, which raises the risk of injury[13]. Dealers replace sensors where needed based on serial numbers, at no cost to owners. Toyota planned to start on March 12, 2018[13].
- Brake actuator (16V198). Filed April 7, 2016, covering 16,656 vehicles across three models[14]. For the RX it names RX350 vehicles built October 26, 2015 to February 8, 2016[14]. A damaged O-ring in the ABS actuator can upset brake fluid pressure when ABS, traction control or stability control kicks in. The risk is a loss of control and a crash[14]. Dealers inspect the actuator and replace it if needed. The remedy began May 4, 2016[14].
- Knee air bag (16V053). Filed February 1, 2016, covering 5,072 vehicles[15]. It names RX350 and RX450h vehicles built November 16 to December 23, 2015[15]. A poor weld can let inflation gas leak out of the driver's knee air bag inflator, which raises the risk of injury in a crash[15]. Dealers inspect the part and replace it if needed. The remedy began March 7, 2016[15].
Owners can call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 to ask about a specific car[15].
Fuel economy
EPA ratings and estimated annual fuel cost for four versions. The fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Fuel | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| RX 450h, front-wheel drive[5] | 31 / 30 / 30 | Premium | $2,750 |
| RX 450h AWD[16] | 30 / 28 / 30 | Premium | $2,750 |
| RX 350, front-wheel drive[17] | 20 / 27 / 23 | Regular | $2,900 |
| RX 350 AWD[18] | 19 / 26 / 22 | Regular | $3,050 |
The RX 450h rates 7 to 8 mpg better combined than the RX 350, and the 450h costs less per year to fuel ($2,750 against $2,900 or $3,050), though it takes premium gas while the RX 350 takes regular[5][17][18][16].[5][17][18][16].
Safety ratings
NHTSA rates the RX 350 at 4 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash and 4 stars for rollover[6][19]. The rollover risk is 17.1% for the AWD version and 18.0% for the front-wheel drive version[6][19].
The RX 450h listings show 5 stars for side crash and 4 stars for rollover, with the same rollover risk figures[20][21]. They show no overall or frontal rating.
Engine and size
EPA lists the 3.5L 6-cylinder in this model year at 259 to 295 hp, depending on version[22]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2016 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 256 | 2 |
| 2000 | 245 | 0 |
| 2001 | 188 | 0 |
| 2002 | 100 | 0 |
| 2003 | 29 | 0 |
| 2004 | 40 | 2 |
| 2005 | 29 | 2 |
| 2006 | 186 | 6 |
| 2007 | 284 | 3 |
| 2008 | 253 | 1 |
| 2009 | 131 | 0 |
| 2010 | 192 | 1 |
| 2011 | 71 | 1 |
| 2012 | 48 | 1 |
| 2013 | 90 | 1 |
| 2014 | 29 | 0 |
| 2015 | 67 | 1 |
| 2016 | 93 | 3 |
| 2017 | 103 | 3 |
| 2018 | 47 | 2 |
| 2019 | 68 | 4 |
| 2020 | 56 | 2 |
| 2021 | 71 | 2 |
| 2022 | 39 | 0 |
| 2023 | 67 | 4 |
| 2024 | 60 | 4 |
| 2025 | 24 | 4 |
| 2026 | 11 | 3 |
The 2016 RX has 93 complaints and 3 recalls[2]. Among model years 2011 to 2026, only 2017 has more complaints, at 103[2]. The 2015 model year has 67 and the 2014 year has 29[2].
Older years drew more: 2006 has 186, 2007 has 284, 2008 has 253 and 2010 has 192[2]. On recalls, 2016 ties with 2017 and 2026 at 3[2]. The years 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025 each have 4, and 2006 has 6[2].
These counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them only to compare years of the same model.
Should you buy a used 2016 Lexus RX?
Among model years since 2011, only 2017 has more complaints than 2016[2]. Brake and air bag complaints carry the most crashes, 7 each, and air bag complaints the most injuries, though they are unverified owner reports[3][4]. All three recalls touch air bags or brake control, so owners can contact Toyota customer service about a specific car[13][14][15]. The RX 450h has higher mpg ratings than the RX 350, but it takes premium gas[5][17]. Our data does not cover repair costs or long-term reliability.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lexus RX?
- NHTSA has 93 complaints[1]. Brakes have 15 and power train has 13, and the unknown or other group has 23[1][12][3][7]. Brake and air bag complaints include the most crashes[3][4].
- Does the 2016 Lexus RX have any recalls?
- Yes, three. They cover air bag sensors (18V085), a brake actuator O-ring (16V198) and a knee air bag inflator weld (16V053)[13][14][15].
- What gas mileage does the 2016 Lexus RX get?
- The RX 350 is rated 22 to 23 mpg combined and the RX 450h is rated 30 mpg combined by the EPA[5][17][18][16].
- Is the 2016 Lexus RX a good year compared with others?
- Only 2017 has more complaints among the years from 2011 to 2026, with 103 against 93 for 2016[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 93 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Lexus RX (14 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus RX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 15 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for RX 450h, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 30 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,450). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,315). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,900). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,275). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 18V085, filed January 31, 2018: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V198, filed April 7, 2016: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V053, filed February 1, 2016: Air Bags › Knee Bolster. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for RX 450h AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 28 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for RX 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for RX 350 AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 Lexus RX with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 259 to 295 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RX 350 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 75 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,453 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RX 450H 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 75 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,740 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov