2016 Lexus Rx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (6) · Power Train (4) · Engine (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Rx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (31)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2025-12-15 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · L-SB-0043-23 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. the procedures outlined in this service bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
Structure:body 2025-02-07 · L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2010 – 2026 model year lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of rapgard™. the paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the rapgard™. the wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on
Structure:body 2025-02-07 · L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2010 – 2026 model year lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of rapgard™. the paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the rapgard™. the wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Showing the 6 most recent of 31 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-20 · Engine“i am reporting a safety issue with a 2016 lexus rx350, vin [xxx], with about 60,000 miles. the vehicle is registered in [xxx] and was being driven to [xxx] when it suddenly overheated on xxx near [xxx]. the warning lights appeared while the vehicle was traveling at highway speed. the driver immediately took the first available exit within about on…”
2026-04-24 · Electrical System“*driver-side entry failure = primary access point compromised * could trap occupants if internal handle fails or after an accident * emergency responders rely on driver-side access first * this is not normal wear and tear—it’s a safety-related failure. …”
2025-10-27 · Electrical System“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.…”
2025-09-26 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages · 98,000 mi“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. …”
2025-09-17 · Structure:body“both sides of the black wheel guides have popped off causing damage to the front bumper and wheel fenders.…”
2025-08-02 · Visibility/Wiper“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 …”
2025-07-19 · Unknown Or Other“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 ov…”
2025-06-18 · Engine“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…”
2025-04-29 · Structure:body“ 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 applicatio…”
2025-04-10 · Structure:body:door:handle:interior“the inside driver door handle broken.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.