Is the 2016 Lexus NX reliable?

The 2016 Lexus NX has 22 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Lexus NX?

Top problems: ENGINE (5 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (4 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Lexus NX?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. Contact any Lexus dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Lexus NX?

The 2016 Lexus NX gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Lexus NX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Lexus NX is approximately $2,079/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Lexus NX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Lexus NX has 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 23. The most common issue is engine problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: 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 fre. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

9 crash reports 6 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

5 complaints

23%

• 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 FRE
• 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
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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 FRE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Lexus NX

Based on 11 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 68K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW31/01/2018

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.

Risk: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Lexus NX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Lexus NX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,079

Full coverage / month

$173

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+24%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$2079

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus NX Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Toyota Motor Corporation-recommended 10K interval with 0W-20 synthetic. Hybrid models use conventional service intervals; battery is 10-year warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lexus New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids

These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2016 NX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lexus dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 22 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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 FRE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 9/5/2016. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN DESPITE PRESSING ACCELERATOR. RPMS WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 1200 RPM. MESSAGE DISPLAYED "REDUCED ENGINE POWER. VISIT YOUR DEALER" CONTINUED TO DRIVE A SLOW SPEED TO NEARBY DESTINATION. MORE MESSAGES APPEARED, TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED FOLLOWED BY 4WD SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: Upon entering a parking lot yesterday and heading down a small ramp my 2016 Lexus NX 200 spontaneously accelerated and even with my foot on the brake did not stop. I was unable to control my car and ending up hitting a tree. All of the airbags deployed; the windshield cracked; the body of the car wa
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)