2016 Lexus RX: common problems and reliability

An average RX year.

121 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 3 recalls.

Should I buy a 2016 RX?

The 2016 Lexus RX has 121 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and structure.

Safety record for the 2016 model year

121
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
15
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Lexus RX vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other RX years only. How we score it

Is 2016 a good year for the RX?

Across the 29 RX model years we track, complaint volume runs from 6 (1998) to 347 (2007). With 121 complaints, the 2016 RX sits about the same as the model's median of 125.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

service brakes
19
structure
17
power train
17
engine
16
electrical system
14

Recalls affecting the 2016 RX

air bags:side/window

Campaign 18V085000

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.

air bags:knee bolster

Campaign 16V053000

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.

service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Campaign 16V198000

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."

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly positive sentiment centered on exceptional long-term reliability, comfort, and low ownership costs. The RX is consistently described as a "bombproof," comfortable, and quiet vehicle built to last well over 150,000 miles with minimal issues.

Owner insights cover all generations of the RX. See the full RX owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used RX listings typically run $48,889–$55,751.

Other RX model years

Compare every RX year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.

Compare the RX against its rivals

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