This page covers 3 recalls, 58 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2016 Lexus Rx350.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints for the 2016 Lexus RX350 are spread fairly evenly across several systems, with no single dominant category pulling far ahead. Airbags, the powertrain, and visibility/wipers each account for the same share of reports. On the powertrain side, owners describe stalling and sputtering at low mileage, engine knocking traced to a failing brake vacuum pump, and at least one fuel pump replacement before 55,000 miles. Visibility complaints center on spontaneous sunroof glass shattering while driving. Wiring harness damage from rodents appears in multiple reports, with owners describing costly repairs tied to the wire insulation material attracting animals. Tire wear complaints also surface, with some owners reporting rapid tread loss well below expected mileage.
58
Total Complaints
11
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Lexus RX350 has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the electronic stability control system, where insufficient brake fluid pressure can cause a loss of vehicle control and raise the risk of a crash.
Two recalls involve the airbag systems. Pressure and acceleration sensors in the side curtain and front airbags can fail, meaning those bags may not deploy in a collision when they are needed most. Separately, the driver's knee airbag inflator may have a faulty weld that allows the inflation gas to escape, leaving the knee bag unable to fully deploy in a crash and reducing the protection it is designed to provide.
At a glance
What can fail
Air bag pressure and acceleration sensors may fail, preventing side, curtain shield, and front air bags from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the faulty sensors at no cost based on serial number verification.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ABS actuator has a damaged O-ring that may fail to properly control brake fluid pressure during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake actuator as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An improper weld in the driver's knee air bag inflator may allow gas to escape, preventing the air bag from inflating properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the knee air bag assembly if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
