YearToAvoid

2016 Lexus NX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2016 Lexus NX ranks 9th out of 11 model years with a complaint index of 20 and earns a Best verdict relative to other NX years. NHTSA lists 17 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive recalls for this year.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
20/100
#9 of 11 NX years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
17
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25
22 city / 28 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2016 Lexus NX problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine6 (35%)
  2. Brakes5 (29%)
  3. Fuel System4 (24%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain3 (18%)
  5. Airbags2 (12%)
  6. Other2 (12%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (6%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers1 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly locked up without warning at highway speed, causing a skid into a concrete divider with no airbag deployment.
  • Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration when entering a parking lot, with the brake pedal failing to stop the vehicle.
  • Airbags failed to deploy on the driver side in at least one side-impact collision despite passenger-side airbags firing.
  • The engine reportedly overheated and shuddered while driving, with a diagnosis pointing to a failed water pump.
  • Owners report a 'reduced engine power' warning accompanied by stalling, loss of acceleration, and traction control faults.
  • Brakes have been described as intermittently loose, requiring repeated pumping before engaging, then returning to normal after a day.
2016 Lexus NX complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2019Sep 2020Dec 2021Jun 2023Aug 2024Jul 2025Mar 2026Sep 2026
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2020 (2).

2016 Lexus NX recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Good4026125
2016Best2017125
2017Best1011024.5
2018Best016024.5

All Lexus NX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Lexus NX reliable?
Among NX model years, 2016 has a complaint index of 20 and ranks 9th out of 11 years, earning a Best verdict relative to other NX years based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
What problems does the 2016 Lexus NX have?
NHTSA data shows the top problem area is the Engine (35% of complaints), followed by Brakes (29%) and Fuel System (24%). The median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 84,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Lexus NX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2016 Lexus NX, campaign 18V085000, covering an airbag sensor issue; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2016 NX compare to other years?
The 2016 NX's complaint index of 20 is lower than 2015 (40), 2020 (70), 2021 (60), 2022 (80), 2023 (50), 2024 (100), and 2025 (90), placing it among the better NX years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Lexus NX?
EPA rates the 2016 NX at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.

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.