2016 Lexus RX: common problems
The maker issued 31 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 31
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.5 L · hybrid · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
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…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
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…
- 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 horizontal…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
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…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can…
- TSB
Some 2019 ? 2023 model year ES 350, 2018 ? 2023 model year IS 350, IS 300, RC 350, RC 300, 2016 ? 2022 model year RX 350, and 2016 ? 2020 model year GS 350 vehicles equipped with a 2GR-FKS engine may exhibit a knocking…
- TSB
Some 2016 ? 2022 model year RX 450h and 2018 ? 2022 model year RX 450hL vehicles may exhibit a squawk/knock noise from the engine compartment when depressing and/or releasing the brake pedal. Follow the Repair…
NHTSA lists 31 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lexus RX?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 31 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Lexus RX?
NHTSA lists 31 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Lexus RX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.