2016 Lexus RX350 recalls and problems

The 2016 Lexus RX350 has 3 safety recalls and 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Lexus dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

11 / 1

Injuries / deaths

6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 Lexus RX350 recalls

Recall 18V-085: Air Bags

Reported Jan 31, 2018 · 48,672 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Recall 16V-198: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Apr 7, 2016 · 16,656 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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."

Risk: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 16V-053: Air Bags

Reported Feb 1, 2016 · 5,072 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Risk: A defective inflator may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2016 Lexus RX350 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Unknown or Other	19
Air Bags	9
Service Brakes	8
Power Train	7
Electrical System	5
Engine	5
Vehicle Speed Control	5
Visibility/Wiper	5
Steering	3
Fuel/Propulsion System	3
Structure	2
Suspension	2

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 2
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 18,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 Lexus RX350 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · at 57,294 miles · reported Apr 6, 2021

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.

Unknown or Other · at 68,000 miles · reported Mar 20, 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.

Electrical System · at 65,000 miles · reported Jan 21, 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

Fuel/Propulsion System · at 51,701 miles · reported Nov 9, 2020

The vehicle was stalling and sputtering after driving less than 0.1 mile on a city street. After contacting the lexus dealership regarding the issue, we had the vehicle towed into the lexus dealership. After running a diagnostic check, they determined the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle has 51,701 miles on it. The towing charge was $101, and the repairs were $808.96. Approximately a month later, I saw that toyota and lexus were recalling various models and years with a similar issue that we experienced. Although the 2016 rx350 is not currently included, I contacted lexus because…

Vehicle Speed Control · reported Sep 23, 2020

I reported the speedometer issue to lexus chantilly, va when I drove on highway from va to in, the lexus speedometer shows 83, and my waze shows 75. Its 8 MPH difference. I also have noticed of the MPH difference between 6 to 8 MPH. Lexus said, I required to pay for the repair, when this speedometer is defected by lexus design. It has do nothing with personal wear, etc. I drove other honda pilot, and the speedometer showed correctly against the traffic pattern, and waze app, but the 2016 lexus doesnt show the correct based on traffic flow, and waze app. The travel from leesburg, va to…

Other Lexus RX350 years

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Compare all Lexus RX350 years · All Lexus models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Lexus RX350 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Lexus RX350: 18V-085 (air bags), 16V-198 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic), 16V-053 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Lexus RX350?

Owners report unknown or other problems most often (19 reports), followed by air bags (9). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 18,000 miles.

Are Lexus recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Lexus dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.