2016 Lexus RX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes is the largest identified problem area: 15 of 93 complaints (16%) mention it. 23 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 67 in 2015 to 93 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,650–3,100 | 2,650–3,100 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–29 | 20–29 | 22–30 | 22–30 | 21–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–31 / 24–28 | 18–31 / 24–28 | 19–31 / 26–30 | 19–31 / 26–28 | 18–31 / 25–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 301–446 | 301–445 | 297–405 | 297–405 | 297–432 | |
| Complaints filed | 28 | 67 | 93 | 103 | 46 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 9 | 14 | 22 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Lexus RX have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Lexus RX get?
EPA rates it 22–30 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Lexus RX?
EPA estimates $2,600–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 31 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 297 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 390 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 405 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 30 mpg | 28 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 299 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 15 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 11 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 23 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 18V085000 · Feb 5, 2018
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · Campaign 16V198000 · Apr 7, 2016
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.
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER · Campaign 16V053000 · Feb 1, 2016
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.