2016 Lexus RX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2016 Lexus RX has a complaint index of 20, the second-best among 21 model years, earning a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 28 complaints and no recalls for this year, with Structure & Body issues, mainly sunroof problems, as the top category.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 RX years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 28
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 30.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 Lexus RX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body7 (25%)
- Electrical System5 (18%)
- Engine5 (18%)
- Brakes4 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (14%)
- Other3 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (7%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the sunroof or moon roof spontaneously cracking or shattering while driving at highway speed with no impact.
- Some report water leaking from the sunroof area during heavy rain, reaching an interior microphone and raising concerns about electrical components.
- Owners describe the automatic transmission jerking or hunting for a gear when pulling away from a stop.
- Some report an oil leak from the timing chain or timing cover area discovered around 49,166 to 71,000 miles.
- Owners describe loss of power brake assist linked to a failed vacuum pump, with one report tying this to a recall issued for the 2017 model year.
- One owner reported the brakes failing to stop the vehicle, resulting in a collision.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Lexus RX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 RX a complaint index of 20, ranked 17th worst (meaning near the low-complaint end) out of 21 model years, with a Best verdict relative to other RX years.
- Does the 2016 Lexus RX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2016 RX, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Lexus RX?
- Structure & Body complaints, largely sunroof cracking and water leaks, make up 25% of the 28 complaints on file, the largest single category.
- How does the 2016 RX compare to other model years?
- With a complaint index of 20, the 2016 RX ranks better than years like 2010 (index 75) and 2021 (index 100), both rated Avoid, though 2012 and 2015 score even lower at 0 and 10.
- What is the fuel economy of 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.