VehicleVerdict

2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

13

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Rx Hybrid years?

Rx Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted214 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 3 complaints2006: 214 complaints2007: 75 complaints2008: 78 complaints2010: 13 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 4 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 13 complaints2016: 13 complaints2017: 18 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 0 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 1 complaints
Rx Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rx Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes323%
Electrical System215%
Airbags215%
Transmission215%
Fuel System18%
Other18%
Body & Structure18%
Engine18%

Does the 2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V085000AirbagsJanuary 31, 2018 · 48,672 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

16V053000AirbagsFebruary 1, 2016 · 5,072 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“COLLISION DETAILS: ' UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL STARTED ON I-5 SOUTH IN SANTA ANA. MANAGED TO EXIT ON 17TH STREET TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENT ON I-5. JUST AHEAD OF FAIRMONT WAS TRYING TO PARK THE CAR BUT THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED AGAIN. COULD NOT SLOW DOWN, SWERVED ON TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 16, 2016 · crash

“COLLISION DETAILS: ' UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL STARTED ON I-5 SOUTH IN SANTA ANA. MANAGED TO EXIT ON 17TH STREET TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENT ON I-5. JUST AHEAD OF FAIRMONT WAS TRYING TO PARK THE CAR BUT THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED AGAIN. COULD NOT SLOW DOWN, SWERVED ON TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 16, 2016 · crash

“I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 5/1/19 WHERE A WOMAN HIT ME FROM THE SIDE AT 20-30 MPH FROM THE SIDE. THE IMPACT WAS PRETTY SQUARE ON THE FRONT, DRIVER-SIDE QUARTER PANEL. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I HAVE A WHIPLASH INJURY. WHEN I SAW THE RECALL ON SOME 2016 LEXUS RX450H FOR A VERY SIMILAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 1, 2019 · crash

“THIS IS THE SAME VEHICLE AS IN COMPLAINT 11342600. ONE WEEK AFTER HAVING TWO TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER REPLACED DUE THE ISSUES OUTLINED IN THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT A THIRD, DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE FAILED RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID BEING LEAKED ONTO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 4, 2020

“I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 5/1/19 WHERE A WOMAN HIT ME FROM THE SIDE AT 20-30 MPH FROM THE SIDE. THE IMPACT WAS PRETTY SQUARE ON THE FRONT, DRIVER-SIDE QUARTER PANEL. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I HAVE A WHIPLASH INJURY. WHEN I SAW THE RECALL ON SOME 2016 LEXUS RX450H FOR A VERY SIMILAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 1, 2019 · crash

2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid reliable?

The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2016 Rx Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (3 complaints), airbags (2 complaints), transmission (2 complaints).

Does the 2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lexus Rx Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rx Hybrid years to avoid are 2006, 2008, 2007. The cleanest record among Rx Hybrid years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.