VehicleVerdict

2016 Lexus Rx350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 78 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Rx350 year — the 2016 model ranks #5 of 20 Rx350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (19), airbags (9), and brakes (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

78

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Rx350 years?

Rx350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted210 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 210 complaints2008: 160 complaints2009: 114 complaints2010: 123 complaints2011: 49 complaints2012: 46 complaints2013: 39 complaints2014: 22 complaints2015: 58 complaints2016: 78 complaints2017: 69 complaints2018: 30 complaints2019: 41 complaints2020: 9 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 11 complaints2023: 4 complaints
Rx350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rx350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Lexus Rx350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other1924%
Airbags912%
Brakes810%
Transmission79%
Electrical System68%
Visibility & Wipers56%
Engine56%
Speed Control56%
Steering34%
Fuel System34%
Suspension23%
Body & Structure23%
Lighting11%
Driver Assistance11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seats11%

Does the 2016 Lexus Rx350 have recalls?

3 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.

16V198000Electrical SystemApril 7, 2016 · 16,656 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

“I WAS ON MY WAY IN CAR FROM HOME (BRIDGEWATER NJ) WITH MY DAUGHTER TO DROP HER FOR VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE IN HILLSBOROUGH NJ. ABOUT IN 7-10 MINS DRIVE, MY DAUGHTER AND I SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE AC VENT AND ALSO NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE FRONT HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 19, 2018 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING AT 30-35 MILES PER HOUR I HIT A MINI VAN FROM BEHIND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. MY LEXUS AT THIS POINT HAD 2500 MILES WAS 3 MONTHS OLD AND I WAS DRIVING ALONE WITH NO PASSENGERS. WHEN I HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE EVERY AIRBAG (AROUND 12) DEPLOYED WHICH IN CONJUCTION WITH SEEMINGLY MINOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 25, 2016 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS RX350. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 11, 2017 · crash

“THIS CAR EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY WHILE BEING PUT INTO PARK. THE CAR TOOK OFF AND HIT THE CENTER POSTS OF THE TWO CAR GARAGE AND ONLY STOPPED BECAUSE IT WAS CAUGHT ON THE SUPPORTS IN THE FOUNDATION. WE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 26, 2018 · crash

“THIS CAR EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY WHILE BEING PUT INTO PARK. THE CAR TOOK OFF AND HIT THE CENTER POSTS OF THE TWO CAR GARAGE AND ONLY STOPPED BECAUSE IT WAS CAUGHT ON THE SUPPORTS IN THE FOUNDATION. WE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 26, 2018 · crash

2016 Lexus Rx350 — common questions

Is the 2016 Lexus Rx350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 78 complaints put the 2016 model at #5 of 20 Rx350 years. It is one of the Rx350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Rx350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (19 complaints), airbags (9 complaints), brakes (8 complaints).

Does the 2016 Lexus Rx350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Lexus Rx350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus Rx350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rx350 years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2010, 2009, 2016, 2017. The cleanest record among Rx350 years belongs to 2006.

How safe is the 2016 Lexus Rx350?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Lexus Rx350 earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.