2016 Lexus NX: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 17 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2016 Lexus NX 200T. The contact discovered oil dripping on the surface of her garage floor underneath the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that there was a rear main seal engine oil leak between the engine and the transmission. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2025
“2016 nx, f-sport. Transmission failure. Driving on the interstate and suv just went into limp mode. No code on dash before this happened.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2025
“The sunroof glass suddenly shattered, for no apparent reason and without warning. There was no collision and no impact by an object. We were driving at freeway speed when we heard a loud bang above our heads. The interior sunroof cover was closed at the time. I slid it partway open and saw that the glass of the sunroof had shattered, so I closed the cover to keep glass from falling in the car. Had it been open at the time of break, the glass would have rained down on the driver and passenger. I have not yet taken it to a dealer or repair shop.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2024
Show 5 more owner reports
“while I was driving in the desert, the check engine light come on and then the motor when on a safe mode idling at less than 5 miles per hour, when I approach a hill did not when up to the hill, the car die. when I started the car back the car went pass the hill and drove for about 20 minutes at 5 miles per hour. I disconnected the battery and work fine after resseting the computer. the car has done the same thing at least three more times.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2024
“My brakes have stopped working twice. Each time I'll stop driving for a day and it's normal again. When it happens my brakes feel very loose and I can't control the direction of my car. I have to pump multiple times and/or press all the way to the floor to even begin to feel it begin to brake. I've had my car checked out and nothing was physically wrong with it.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2023
“I was driving on the westbound side of the freeway 170 when a vehicle hit me on the driver side of the car witch the it push me to the right side of the freeway making me go of the road and hitting a tree , I was not able to stop because it was raining at the moment of the impact”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 lexus nx. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle overheated and started to shudder and hesitated. The temperature gauge displayed higher engine temperatures. The vehicle was taken to sterling mccall lexus clear lake located at (18160 gulf freeway, houston, tx 77546, 281-8523-1400) who diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2019
“While driving on the freeway at 72.5 mph the brakes locked up without warning causing the vehicle to skid 60 to 70 feet, crash into a concrete center divider and airbags were not deployed. Moderate injuries. Lexus did an inspection 32 days later and they have no explanation. The accident occurred approximately two months ago on august 9 , 2019. Vehicle still sits at the dealership while I make payments, pay for a rental car, and ensure the vehicle. Lexus has not given me any written explanation as promised.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact NX by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Lexus NX reliable?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2016 Lexus NX. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2016 Lexus NX have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.