2016 Lexus RX Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 61 and ranks 8th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 7 complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crashes, with brakes as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 61/100
- #8 of 19 RX Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 7
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 30.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes3 (43%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (29%)
- Airbags1 (14%)
- Electrical System1 (14%)
- Engine1 (14%)
- Fuel System1 (14%)
- Other1 (14%)
- Structure & Body1 (14%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a side-impact crash, leaving the driver with a whiplash injury.
- The fuel gauge stopped giving accurate readings at 17,000 miles, later traced by a dealer to a faulty fuel tank design.
- While on cruise control at 75 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power to 0 mph, with the dash showing failures across the hybrid system, check engine, pre-collision system, braking system, and all-wheel drive system at just 883 miles.
- Owners report a brake actuator noise under the front of the car when slowing to a stop, at 47,256 miles.
- Some owners were told by dealership staff that the braking issue was safe to drive despite reports suggesting otherwise.
2016 Lexus RX Hybrid recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.
- NHTSA 16V053000Feb 1, 2016Airbags5,072 vehicles
Air bags:knee bolster
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lexus RX350 and RX450h vehicles manufactured November 16, 2015, to December 23, 2015. Due to an improper weld, the gas needed to inflate the driver's knee air bag may escape from the inflator.
Risk: A defective inflator may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the knee air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is GLA.
2016 Lexus RX Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 30.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 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 RX Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 RX Hybrid a Complaint Index of 61 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 19 model years for the RX Hybrid line. Brakes are the most reported problem area, accounting for 43% of complaints.
- Does the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 RX Hybrid, both involving airbags: one for improperly welded knee airbag assemblies and one for airbag sensor replacement. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What is the most common complaint for the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 3,000 miles. Transmission and powertrain issues follow at 29% of complaints.
- How does the 2016 RX Hybrid compare to other RX Hybrid years?
- The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 61 is better than years like 2006 (100), 2008 (94), and 2013 (83), which are rated Avoid, but worse than 2015 (44, rated Good).