2016 Lexus Rx Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (2) · Power Train (2) · Structure:body (1)
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:side/Window 2018-01-31 · campaign 18V085000 · 48,672 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Air Bags:knee Bolster 2016-02-01 · campaign 16V053000 · 5,072 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (234)
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 234 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-05-11 · Service Brakes · 47,256 mi“actuator (breaks) failure on city street noise coming from under front of car when breaking slow to stop when breaking, confirmed by mavis mechanic to be issue and was sent back to dealer for replacement. dealership tried to deny this is issue with these cars was told it was safe to drive only to find on internet it is not safe to drive the car. th…”
2020-08-16 · Power Train · 56,920 mi“this is the same vehicle as in complaint 11342600. one week after having two transmission cooler lines and the transmission oil cooler replaced due the issues outlined in the previous complaint a third, different transmission cooler line failed resulting in transmission fluid being leaked onto the motor, transmission, exhaust, drivers side tire, w…”
2020-07-31 · Power Train · 56,000 mi“transmission cooler and lines are above a skid plate/shield that retains road gravel. the retained road gravel rubbed on the transmission cooler and rubber hoses leading to a significant leak of transmission fluid right above the driver's side tire. the engine, transmission, exhaust system and whole undercarriage of the suv was covered in transmi…”
2019-05-10 · Structure:body · 33,500 mi · 💥 crash“i was involved in an accident on 5/1/19 where a woman hit me from the side at 20-30 mph from the side. the impact was pretty square on the front, driver-side quarter panel. none of the airbags deployed and i have a whiplash injury. when i saw the recall on some 2016 lexus rx450h for a very similar issue, i thought i'd raise the concern and ask for …”
2016-06-22 · Unknown Or Other · 3,000 mi · 💥 crash“collision details: ' unintended acceleration and loss of control started on i-5 south in santa ana. managed to exit on 17th street to avoid any accident on i-5. just ahead of fairmont was trying to park the car but the vehicle unintendedly accelerated again. could not slow down, swerved on to pavement/walkway. collided onto iron wrought fence of a…”
2016-06-15 · Service Brakes · 883 mi“while driving with the vehicle on cruise control, the vehicle went from 75 mph to 0 on the interstate. i was able to coast into a nearby rest area. at this point the car would start, but none of the systems would operate. the dash displayed several system failures to include the hybrid system, check engine, pre-collision system, braking system a…”
2016-04-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 17,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 lexus rx450h. while driving 60 mph, the fuel gauge failed to provide the accurate reading. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank design was faulty and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vin was unknown. the approxi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.