Lexus · RX · 2016
0
Recalls
26
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Lexus RX has no recalls and 26 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: structure:body (6 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
17.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
Both sides of the black wheel guides have popped off causing damage to the front bumper and wheel fenders.
The contact owns a 2016 Lexus RX 350. While the contact was inside the building where she worked, the hazard lights were flashing unintendedly. When the contact arrived at the residence, the hazard lights were flashing again. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, there was an abnormal vibrating sound coming from underneath the brake pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The electronic screen on dashboard that displays map, HVAC, etc. turns pink then black and disappears for several minutes. One then has no control over the various functions displayed on the screen. I've done a hard reset by disconnecting the battery for several minutes...to no avail. Thank you.
As I was driving southbound on I five in the state of Washington in Stanwood area 8:00 AM my sunroof exploded, causing me to swerve into other lanes and a distraction for other drivers There were no warnings. The sunroof was in a close position, not being used. The vehicle went into repair today being August 1. We did take pictures. Had there been cars directly on either side of me accident would have occurred.
I was driving and pressed the button to close the sunshade on the panoramic sunroof when I heard this like a grinding noise. The cloth sunshade stopped moving. Then I heard a pop noise, and the sunshade came down, and it hit me more on the back of the neck. Then I heard something fall on the floor behind me in the back seat area. I couldn't pull over right away, stopped at a store, and there was a black, plastic and metal piece that was on the floor in back. The sunshade itself was partly hanging off the ceiling where it came from. It didn't hurt but of course it startled me. This happened on Friday going to work 7/18/2025. I haven't used the sunroof for a while because it has been too hot but Friday I wanted some natural air, and opened it up. Researching I see that it is supposed to be all one piece, and everything which includes the entire panoramic sunroof to be replaced which is close to $3,000. I found online that a lot of people have the same problem for years 16-22 on the RX. I found out where the dealers are telling people excessive heat melts the glue holding these adapters in place, and it eventually give way and break. Most people including me park outside, I don't have a garage, and it's summer, this is defective, and it should be covered my Lexus. Since it just happened yesterday, the vehicle wasn't inspected by nobody, there were no warning signs that this was happening either. The safety issue is when it hit me on the back of the neck while I was driving. Thank you for your time.
The inside driver door handle broken.
Timing Cover gasket leak. Apparently this is very common problem with 2016 Lexus RX 350 due to a bad design by Lexus. Lexus is quoting ~7000 to fix
Car has a continuous gas smell after start up. When a/c or heat is turned off the car cabin smells of gaslione. I have taken to the car to lexus dealership repeatedly and have been advice car operates as intended. There is also a hissing noise coming from the rear driverside tire area near the gas tank.
The hood latch and cable malfunctioned three times in one year. Once in January 2024 (I replaced the latch); once in July 2024 (the dealer recommended to eventually replace the cable, but was able to fix it); and most recently on [XXX] (the dealer identified the cable was faulty and needed to be replaced). The hood would close but not all the way and the hood release had no tension. There was prior warning or symptoms prior to the hood lock failure. All the records for this is with the service department of Pohanka Lexus in Chantilly, VA. I attached the most recent service visit. I took it to the Lexus dealer service center each time. I am getting it fixed this weekend by another service shop (because Lexus charges too much). This was extremely dangerous because if the hood is not secure, it could open at any time while driving and cause an accident, especially at high speeds. There is the potential that if the hood does not lock when closed after it opens, that it could possibly fly open while the car is in motion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Upon parking after 20-mile drive, severe leak of transmission oil from transmission oil cooler area, no warning messages/lights or fault codes present. No evidence of leak at starting point for drive, was sudden failure internal to transmission cooler with no evidence of impact/vibration damage or corrosion; failure was perhaps at welds of fins to tubing. Leaking oil creates fire and slip hazard, lack of any kind of warning to driver would have allowed continued driving until transmission failed except for luck that this was short trip. Vehicle has never been damaged in a crash, has been carefully inspected and maintained since purchase new. This is not a wear item and should never fail without external damage or corrosion, certainly not at 45,000 miles. Difficult to believe that this anything other than a manufacturing defect on this early production (VIN ending 002034) vehicle. Repaired by Lexus dealer with Lexus covering half of cost as “goodwill” (cost to me at ~$1,050 incl. towing), although dealer attempted to return vehicle without having reinstalled air duct and lower shroud.
Good Afternoon, This is in relation to Customer Support Program (20LE02) - Rear Inside Door Handle May Become Inoperative. The Rear right inside door handle of my Lexus 350 became inoperative recently, but I never received a notice regarding 20LE02.
Timing chain cover oil leak is a wellknown issue for Lexus/Toyota V6 engine for more than a decade. The company is still reluctant to provide a long term solution. This 2016 Lexus RX350 F Sport was first discovered Timing Cover oil leak at 49166 miles and was resealed on [XXX] 2021. One year later, on [XXX] 2022, valve cover gasket oil leak was found at 57608 miles. Two months later, on [XXX], 2022, Timing Cover oil leak was discovered again at 58821 miles. Then two months later, on [XXX] 2022, oil leak was discovered again at 59864 miles. [All above was repaired by Thompson Lexus in Doylestown, PA under Lexus Powertrain Warranty.] Now, two years and 15000 miles later, the car is currently developing the same oil leak again at 76500 miles. The car is out of warranty, the repair will cost $7000. Toyota/Lexus should provide a longterm sustainable solution for this problem instead of advising repair shop to merely reseal the cover, which will eventually leak again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Loss of power brake assist. The Lexus dealer diagnosed a failed vacuum pump. This is common with the 2016/2017 RX 350's. Lexus has admitted a manufacturing problem with the pumps and has a service bulletin (L-SB-0010-18) and a safety recall on the 2017's (JLD J2D). The recall should be extended to the 2016's. There are tons of people posting on the internet about failed vacuum pumps and resultant safety issues.
The contact owns a 2016 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the moon roof independently fractured. The contact stated no object had struck the moon roof to cause the fracture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the moon roof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
I am formally submitting a vehicle defect complaint regarding my 2016 Lexus RX 450h, which is experiencing premature and extensive paint degradation, including clear coat peeling, flaking, and fading. This issue is not due to environmental exposure or neglect, but rather a clear indicator of a factory defect related to substandard paint application and adhesion failure. This concern directly aligns with known and previously acknowledged factory paint failures affecting both Lexus and Toyota vehicles. Numerous Customer Support Programs (CSPs) and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) have been launched by Toyota Motor Corporation to address: •Faulty clear coat adhesion •Improper surface preparation during manufacturing •Delamination and premature degradation of factory-applied paint, particularly in white pearl and other finishes Despite wide acknowledgment of these issues in prior campaigns (such as CSP ZKC and others involving Lexus RX, ES, and LS models), my vehicle’s VIN was not included—despite exhibiting identical symptoms. Given the extensive documentation of these defects, I am requesting the following: 1.A formal investigation into the paint failure affecting my Lexus RX 450h. 2.Written acknowledgment of this known issue and confirmation whether this VIN has been or should be included in past or upcoming CSPs. 3.Immediate corrective action including paint restoration or full vehicle repaint at no cost. 4.Clarification on why Lexus has failed to expand prior paint-related CSPs to include other affected model years and VINs despite continued customer complaints. This message is being concurrently submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for independent review under potential consumer safety, quality compliance, and warranty oversight. I expect a formal response within 10 business days of receipt. Failure to act appropriately will prompt further legal and media inquiries to ensure transparent processing.
2016 LEXUS RX-360. CONSUMER STATED THAT FAILED TO STOP WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION.
The vehicle sustained water damage due to Hurricane Ida in September 2021 and was repaired at the dealership. In February 2023, the battery needed replacing for a third time since then and I was told that the front and rear carpeting was soaking wet, again, and it was due to the moonroof rails being clogged. The vehicle is currently at the dealership being assessed and repairs should be borne by the dealer/manufacturer; NOT THE CONSUMER. If this is specific to my vehicle only, then I have a lemon. If it has happened to others, then it should be recalled.
There is oil leak from timing belt casing. Only have 71000 miles on the vehicle.
Water may leak from heavy rain, from the sunroof region into a part of the roof, leading to water leaking from the interior microphone above the driver seat. Seems to be a common issue amongst 2016-2017 RX350’s but no recalls. This is a safety issue given that the microphone is where the water leaks to, compromising other electrical systems. In addition, water builds and wets the headliner causing mold/mildew smell, possibly leading to future mold build up which is harmful to health. Lexus in Houston inspected and stated a new sunroof is needed, which is costly, although this is a manufacturer flaw.
The sunroof exploded while driving at freeway speeds with no apparent reason. Temperature was 75 degrees outside.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2016 Lexus RX has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 26 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Lexus RX.
The 2016 Lexus RX received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Lexus RX are structure:body (6 reports), engine (4 reports), unknown or other (3 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2016 Lexus RX. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.