2016 Lexus RX350: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 58 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (14% of complaints); the 2018 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Knocking sound coming from the engine at ~50k miles. Took it to a lexus service center and was informed that the sound was from a failing brake vacuum pump. If not addressed, the failing pump could make braking the vehicle extremely difficult and potentially cause an accident. The 2017 rx350s have a recall for this exact issue but nothing for the 2016 rx350s. Disappointed that a vehicle that has been diligently maintained with only ~50k miles is already having issues with failing parts that could cause a serious accident.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2021
“I was driving down highway and heard a loud explosion. I was very shaken up. It was a scary experience. I was traveling 220 cross lake bridge and at time could not pull over. I kept hearing crunching noise above me. I opened sunroof inside cover and that's when I noticed the sunroof was shattered and it was what had exploded.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2021
“Rodent damage to the electrical wiring harness of my 2016 lexus rx 350 caused by lexus using a soy base covering on the wires that attract rodents. Lexus takes no responsibility for the repair that cost thousands of dollars. Not to mention a safety issue. This is a common problem base on all the class action law suits and should led to a recall”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“A broadside collision causing damage to front left of the car, injury to the driver with force of the collision, air bag didn't deploy.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“After replacing battery, the gps, audio system, heat controls, (entire display is blank) the dealer said they don't know what happened. There are numerous identical complaints on-line having the same issue..”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2019
“Passenger wiper was making a loud knocking sound and hitting the hood. Learned that the arm was bent, causing the wiper to hit the interior of the hood and has caused paint to rub off on the hood.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2019
“When I try to start at the beginning of the day, I step on and break and press the ignition button, the car won't start and would give me a low break power light message. It will eventually start after about 5 or 6 tries. I only had the car since november 2018 and it already happened to me like 8 times.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2019
“We took a car for lease from lexus. The first week, we realized the brakes weren't working well. We took the car to the shop and they said nothing was wrong. Then, a couple of months later it happened again and they said the same thing. Last week, after 2 years, I was driving and so was my daughter ( two different times ) and we couldn't break the car. The car drove right past the intersection on a red light. Thank god there was no pedestrians or vehicles at that second. We brought it to alexus and they tested the brakes and saw a problem with the brakes. The pressure was low and the metal was scraping. They asked for a large sum and said we never complained before.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2019
“Poor braking, dangerously at times. Also has to hold gas nozzle almost all the time while filling up or the gas will shut off even the tank is not full”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2018
“Takata recall. Airbags on passenger side all deployed with zero impact to the vehicle. A truck was driving 5 mph next to me when he had a blowout and the loud noise caused the airbags to deploy.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact RX350 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 RX350 reliable?
NHTSA has 58 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Lexus RX350. The most complained-about area is service brakes (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Lexus RX350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 22,000 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Lexus RX350 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. 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.