YearToAvoid

2016 Lexus RX Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

71/100

#5 most-complained of 15 RX Hybrid years

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

The 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 71, ranking 5th worst of 15 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 7 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and brakes are the top problem area at 43% of complaints.

Complaints
7
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
30
30.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid problems

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

  1. Brakes3 (43%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain2 (29%)
  3. Airbags1 (14%)
  4. Electrical System1 (14%)
  5. Engine1 (14%)
  6. Fuel System1 (14%)
  7. Other1 (14%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (14%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of braking power, with one case going from 75 mph to a complete stop unexpectedly on the interstate.
  • Some describe multiple dashboard warnings appearing at once, including hybrid system, check engine, pre-collision, braking, and all-wheel drive alerts.
  • Owners report a noise coming from the front of the car when braking slowly to a stop, linked to an actuator issue.
  • One owner reported the fuel gauge failing to show an accurate reading at 60 mph, later diagnosed as a faulty fuel tank design that was not repaired.
  • One owner reported airbags failing to deploy in a side-impact crash at 20-30 mph, resulting in a whiplash injury.
2016 Lexus RX Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month5Apr 2016Jun 2016May 2019Jul 2020Aug 2020May 2021
11 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2016 to May 2021; peak Jun 2016 (5).

2016 Lexus RX Hybrid recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

  2. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014No verdict142028.5
2015Caution575028.5
2016Caution717230
2017Avoid8610030
2018No verdict293029.5

All Lexus RX Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid reliable?
Compared to other RX Hybrid model years, the 2016 has a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 5th worst out of 15 years tracked, earning a Caution verdict.
What is the top problem area for the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid?
Brakes are the top problem area, making up 43% of the 7 NHTSA complaints filed for this year, with a median failure mileage of 3,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid, both related to airbags, including one for a knee airbag with an improper weld.
How does the 2016 RX Hybrid compare to other years?
The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 71 is lower than 2011 (93) and 2013 (100), both rated Avoid, but higher than 2015 (57), rated Caution.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid?
The EPA rates the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid at 30 mpg combined (30.5 city, 29 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,650.

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.