2016 Lexus NX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
20/100
#9 most-complained of 11 NX years
The 2016 Lexus NX ranks 9th out of 11 model years with a complaint index of 20, earning a "Best" verdict among NX years. NHTSA lists 17 complaints, 1 recall, 4 crashes, and 3 injuries, with Engine issues the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 17
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 28 hwy
Top 2016 Lexus NX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine6 (35%)
- Brakes5 (29%)
- Fuel System4 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (18%)
- Airbags2 (12%)
- Other2 (12%)
- Structure & Body1 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (6%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of engine power on the highway with a "reduce engine power" warning, sometimes followed by stalling or an inability to accelerate past low speeds.
- Some describe the engine overheating and shuddering while driving, later traced to a failed water pump.
- Multiple owners report brakes feeling loose or requiring repeated pumping before regaining stopping power, in one case after the vehicle would not stop even with brake pressure applied.
- One report describes airbags failing to deploy in a crash after the brakes locked up and the vehicle skidded into a concrete divider.
- Another describes a driver-side airbag not deploying despite passenger-side airbags firing during a collision.
- One owner reports the check engine light triggering a low-speed safe mode that prevented the vehicle from climbing a hill.
2016 Lexus NX recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V085000Jan 31, 2018Airbags48,672 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
2016 Lexus NX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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 NX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Lexus NX reliable?
- Among NX model years, the 2016 ranks 9th out of 11 with a complaint index of 20, which NHTSA data classifies as "Best" relative to other NX years.
- What problems does the 2016 Lexus NX have?
- NHTSA lists 17 complaints for the 2016 NX, with Engine issues making up 35% of them (6 complaints), followed by Brakes at 29% and Fuel System at 24%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 84,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Lexus NX have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 18V085000) covers an airbag sensor issue affecting the 2016 NX 200T, NX Turbo, and NX 300h; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- Which Lexus NX years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint index data, 2022, 2024, and 2025 are the years rated "Avoid," with complaint indexes of 80, 100, and 90 respectively, compared to 20 for 2016.
- How does the 2016 NX compare in fuel economy?
- The 2016 Lexus NX gets an EPA-rated 25 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.