YearToAvoid

2016 Lexus GX460 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

64/100

#5 most-complained of 12 GX460 years

The 2016 Lexus GX460 has a Complaint Index of 64, ranking 5th worst out of 12 model years, giving it a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 6 complaints, 2 recalls, 2 crashes, and 1 injury, with brakes the top problem area at 50% of complaints.

Complaints
6
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17
15 city / 20 hwy

Top 2016 Lexus GX460 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes3 (50%)
  2. Engine2 (33%)
  3. Airbags1 (17%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (17%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration with brake failure at low speed, in one case near a driveway with no traffic.
  • Some describe the brake pedal being depressed but the vehicle still failing to stop, leading to a parking-lot collision with two vehicles.
  • Others report the brakes releasing slightly a few seconds after coming to a full stop, letting the vehicle creep forward at a traffic light.
  • One owner noticed the SUV leaning noticeably more to the right side than the left shortly after purchase, which the dealership called normal.
  • Another owner reported the engine stalling while coasting down a freeway offramp, similar to issues addressed in a separate recall.
2016 Lexus GX460 complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2016Oct 2016Nov 2016May 2018Mar 2020Nov 2020
7 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2016 to Nov 2020; peak May 2018 (2).

2016 Lexus GX460 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V741000Oct 17, 2019Airbags928,220 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

  2. NHTSA 19V005000Jan 9, 2019Airbags1,299,448 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

2016 Lexus GX460 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other GX460 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202022
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Good367317
2015Caution558317
2016Caution646217
2017Avoid829316
2018Avoid917216

All Lexus GX460 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Lexus GX460 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 GX460 has a Complaint Index of 64 and ranks 5th worst of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes account for 50% of its complaints.
What is the top problem area for the 2016 Lexus GX460?
Brakes are the top problem area, making up 50% of complaints and involving 2 of the 2 crashes reported for this year.
Does the 2016 Lexus GX460 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 GX460, both involving airbags, with no do-not-drive advisories.
Which Lexus GX460 model years should be avoided instead?
NHTSA data shows 2010 has the highest Complaint Index at 100 with an Avoid verdict, followed by 2017 at 82 and 2018 at 91, also rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Lexus GX460?
EPA rates the 2016 GX460 at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.