YearToAvoid

2016 Lexus RX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

13/100

#14 most-complained of 16 RX years

The 2016 Lexus RX has 28 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 13, ranking it 14th worst out of 16 model years, with a 'Best' verdict compared to other RX years. No recalls are on file for this year.

Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
30
30.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2016 Lexus RX problems

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

  1. Structure & Body7 (25%)
  2. Electrical System5 (18%)
  3. Engine5 (18%)
  4. Brakes4 (14%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain4 (14%)
  6. Other3 (11%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers2 (7%)
  8. Airbags1 (4%)
  9. Fuel System1 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Sunroof panels reportedly fractured or 'exploded' on their own while driving at freeway speed with no impact.
  • Water intrusion from the sunroof area was described as leaking into the cabin and near the interior microphone, raising electrical concerns.
  • Owners described the automatic transmission jerking or hunting for gears when pulling away from a stop.
  • Some owners reported timing chain cover or timing cover gasket oil leaks discovered around 49,166 to 59,757 miles.
  • A vacuum pump failure was described as causing loss of power brake assist, similar to an issue addressed by a recall on 2017 RX models.
  • One brake complaint described a failure to stop that resulted in a collision.
2016 Lexus RX complaints: complaints filed per month4May 2021Feb 2022Apr 2023May 2024Oct 2024Jul 2025Oct 2025
33 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2021 to Jul 2026; peak Apr 2023 (4).

2016 Lexus RX recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2016 Lexus RX 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 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Best2011028.5
2015Best720028.5
2016Best1328030
2017Caution5347030
2018Good3325029.5

All Lexus RX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Lexus RX reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 RX has 28 complaints and a complaint index of 13, ranking 14th worst out of 16 model years tracked, with a 'Best' verdict relative to other RX years.
Does the 2016 Lexus RX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2016 Lexus RX, and there are no do-not-drive recalls on file.
What is the most common problem area for the 2016 Lexus RX?
Structure & Body complaints are the largest category, making up 25% of complaints (7 of 28), including reports of sunroof issues.
What year Lexus RX should I avoid?
Among RX model years tracked, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 carry 'Avoid' verdicts with complaint indexes of 87, 93, 100, and 80, while 2016 carries a 'Best' verdict.
How is fuel economy on the 2016 Lexus RX?
EPA rates the 2016 RX at 30 mpg combined (30.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated 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.