2016 Lexus RX350
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Lexus RX350 has 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 46. The most common issue is other problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: sunroof leak in heavy rain. leaked through area around drivers bluetooth microphone. service department advised this was the second vehicle brought in for this problem.. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
78
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
OTHER
19 complaints- • SUNROOF LEAK IN HEAVY RAIN. LEAKED THROUGH AREA AROUND DRIVERS BLUETOOTH MICROPHONE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THIS WAS THE SECOND VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM.
- • 2016 RX350 IS A NEW PLATFORM. THE PASSENGER SIDE CAR PASSING INDICATOR DOES NOT ALWAYS INDICATE A CAR IN THE "BLIND SPOT". AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS, I NOTIFIED MY LOCAL LEXUS DEALER. MY SALESMAN AND I DROVE MY VEHICLE FOR A TEST RUN AND THE PROBLEM CONSISTENTLY AROSE. THE SALESMAN S
- • VEHICLE VIBRATION FELT STANDING STILL AND WORSENS AS ACCELERATION SLOWLY STARTS FORWARD. CONTINUES ALSO AT SLIGHT ACCELERATION AT HIGHER SPEEDS JUST TO MAINTAIN SPEED LIMIT. VIBRATION CAN BE FELT IN STEERING WHEEL, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, GEAR SHIFT AND AT SPECIFIC START UP SPEEDS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THI
“SUNROOF LEAK IN HEAVY RAIN. LEAKED THROUGH AREA AROUND DRIVERS BLUETOOTH MICROPHONE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THIS WAS THE SECOND VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Lexus RX350
Based on 60 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 18K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
OTHER
BRAKES
TRANSMISSION
AIR BAGS
ENGINE
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 (3)
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 RX350
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Lexus RX350
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Lexus RX350 Service Intervals
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
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 RX350, 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 78 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐OTHER: SUNROOF LEAK IN HEAVY RAIN. LEAKED THROUGH AREA AROUND DRIVERS BLUETOOTH MICROPHONE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THIS WAS THE SECOND VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: I UNDERSTAND THAT MY CAR HAS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE TAKATA AIR BAG AND I WANT THEM REPLACED BEFORE A DEATH OCCURS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS RX350. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE YET THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE AND SO I AM STILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HOPING IT WILL NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lexus RX350 — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 78
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 17
- Injury reports
- 9
- Segment avg
- 46
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Lexus RX350