2016 Lexus RX350: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Lexus RX350: 3 recalls, 58 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.

Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V053000 · 2016 · 5,072 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to an improper weld, the gas needed to inflate the driver's knee air bag May escape from the inflator.
Why it matters: A defective inflator May increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.
Stability control, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #16V198000 · 2016 · 16,656 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Insufficient brake fluid pressure May cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #18V085000 · 2018 · 48,672 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (19): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5).
- Airbags (9): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2).
- Brakes (8): the most common themes are warning light on (2), brake failure / soft pedal (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (7): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4).
The 2016 Lexus RX350 has 58 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 20 RX350 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 42). Complaints peaked in 2017 (15 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 17,865 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (42 complaints, 1 recalls), 2017 (46 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Lexus RX350.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Lexus RX350 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Lexus RX350. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Lexus RX350 problems?
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (19), airbags (9), brakes (8).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Lexus RX350 get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Lexus RX350 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.