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Lexus RXModel year report

2016 Lexus RX Problems

Compared with other Lexus RX years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
28filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
67,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
30 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid FWD · 31 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Lexus RX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2016 Lexus RX. The part named most often is body and structure, with 7 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine (5) and brakes (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 31 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 18 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 11 Lexus RX model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Good Afternoon, This is in relation to Customer Support Program (20LE02) - Rear Inside Door Handle May Become Inoperative. The Rear right inside door handle of my Lexus 350 became inoperative recently, but I never received a notice regarding 20LE02.”

NHTSA complaint #11608716, filed 2024-08

Engine: “Lexus RX350 has Timing Cover Gasket issue. My car is manufactured in 2016 and had only 59,757 miles on it but late last year the dealership discovered the leak after an oil change. The cost for repair is estimated $6500+ I am an engineer and researched the issue. I noticed that many people reported on Timing Cover Gasket issue in RX350 cars. I even learned that the next design flaw in RX350 is the water pump. I contacted the Lexus company and reported on the issue. They offered me $2000 discount. This means they are aware of the issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11586578, filed 2024-05

Brakes: “Loss of power brake assist. The Lexus dealer diagnosed a failed vacuum pump. This is common with the 2016/2017 RX 350's. Lexus has admitted a manufacturing problem with the pumps and has a service bulletin (L-SB-0010-18) and a safety recall on the 2017's (JLD J2D). The recall should be extended to the 2016's. There are tons of people posting on the internet about failed vacuum pumps and resultant safety issues.”

NHTSA complaint #11578550, filed 2024-03

Electrical system: “The electronic screen on dashboard that displays map, HVAC, etc. turns pink then black and disappears for several minutes. One then has no control over the various functions displayed on the screen. I've done a hard reset by disconnecting the battery for several minutes...to no avail. Thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #11695726, filed 2025-10

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,000 and 98,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2550%25–500%50–7550%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 67,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2021202220232024202582026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Lexus RX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RX 450h FWD3.5L 6-cyl · hybridCVT313030$2,750
RX 450h AWD3.5L 6-cyl · hybridCVT302830$2,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2016 Lexus RX in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 31 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 31 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus RX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026121,00034–525—Too new
20252211244–525—Too new
2024603,00044–525Too new to compareToo new
2023628,2503536100 · MoreToo new
20222931,600043068 · MoreRising
20217058,000143086 · MoreRising
20204731,50014–53087 · MoreRising
20193417,5001—3079 · MoreRising
20182642,5480—300 · FewerRising
20174732,7300—300 · FewerRising
20162867,5000—300 · FewerRising
20152045,0000—29—Rising
20141292,5450—29—Not enough data
201319105,6060—29—Rising
201212143,6820—29—Not enough data
201129125,0000—291 · FewerFalling
20107725,0000——96 · MoreFalling
20093473,5000——19 · FewerFalling
200870114,1830—2515 · FewerFalling
20075893,4260—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200632130,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20052780,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20044066,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212101,9300———Not enough data
20011995,0000———Rising
20002990,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199935107,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus RX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Lexus RX have?

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2016 Lexus RX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Lexus RX is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 7 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine with 5.

Has the 2016 Lexus RX been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Lexus RX get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Lexus RX (RX 450h, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 30 mpg combined, 31 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Lexus RX reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,500 miles and the middle half falls between 37,000 and 98,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.