2016 Lexus RX350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
69/100
#5 most-complained of 14 RX350 years
The 2016 Lexus RX350 has a Complaint Index of 69 and ranks 5th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 58 complaints, 3 recalls, and 11 crashes, with engine problems the top complaint area.
- Complaints
- 58
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 11 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2016 Lexus RX350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other19 (33%)
- Engine10 (17%)
- Airbags9 (16%)
- Brakes8 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (12%)
- Electrical System6 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (9%)
- Fuel System3 (5%)
- Steering3 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration when shifting into drive or park, sometimes leading to a collision with objects in a garage or driveway.
- Brake pedal reportedly travels to the floor without stopping the vehicle, resulting in rear-end crashes at low speeds during highway exits or turns.
- Airbags allegedly fail to deploy in front-end or rear-impact collisions, even at moderate speed and with visible exterior damage.
- One owner reported smoke coming from the AC vent and engine hood, prompting an immediate pull-over and engine shutdown.
- An owner tied to a Takata recall reported unusual noise from the air conditioner that the manufacturer described as a design characteristic rather than a defect.
2016 Lexus RX350 recalls
3 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 16V198000Apr 7, 2016Brakes16,656 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
- 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 RX350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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 RX350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Lexus RX350 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 58 complaints and 3 recalls for the 2016 RX350, giving it a Complaint Index of 69 and a Caution verdict relative to other RX350 model years.
- What problems does the 2016 Lexus RX350 have?
- Engine issues are the top complaint area with 10 complaints, followed by airbags (9 complaints) and brakes (8 complaints), including reports of unintended acceleration and brakes failing to stop the vehicle.
- Does the 2016 Lexus RX350 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering airbags (two separate campaigns) and a brake actuator issue on vehicles built between October 26, 2015 and February 3, 2016.
- How does the 2016 RX350 compare to other RX350 years?
- The 2016 ranks 5th worst of 14 model years with a Complaint Index of 69. The 2010 model year is worst at 100, while 2020 is best at 8.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Lexus RX350?
- EPA rates the 2016 RX350 at 22.5 mpg combined (19.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875.