2016 Lexus Rx450h problems
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Common 2016 Lexus Rx450h problems
The Lexus RX450h, a hybrid luxury crossover SUV, has been praised for its low emissions and excellent fuel economy. However, it is not without common problems. Here are some of the issues that RX450h owners frequently report:
- Shock absorber failure: The RX450h is a heavy car, which puts a lot of pressure on the suspension. This can lead to shock absorber failure, especially if the vehicle is driven roughly or frequently over rough surfaces. If you notice that one side of the vehicle seems to be lower or the suspension is not working as well as it once did, you should inspect the shock absorbers for leaks or signs of damage. Faulty shock absorbers will need to be replaced to fix the problem.
- Alloy wheel corrosion: The alloy wheels on the RX450h are known for suffering from premature corrosion and excessive wear of the surfaces of the wheel. If you notice any signs of corrosion, the affected wheels will need to be refurbished to get them looking good again. This involves removing the corrosion and restoring the wheel's appearance.
- MP3/Audio player problem: Some RX450h owners report that the MP3/Audio player cuts out when they drive over speed bumps or roughly surfaced roads. This issue is caused by a known problem with the Audio unit mounting, which can be fixed or replaced, and the audio unit re-fitted.
- Rear window wiper problem: A rattling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle, most noticeable when driving at low speeds and when the window is open, can be caused by a problem with the wiper mechanism. The rattling sound happens when the faulty wiper knocks against the rear spoiler. This issue can be resolved by replacing the wiper mechanism.
- Fuel pump impeller cracking: The fuel pump impeller in the low-pressure fuel pump located in the fuel tank can crack, causing the pump to stop working. Lexus issued a recall for all affected models, so if you're thinking about buying a second-gen 450h, make sure the fuel pump has been replaced if needed. Recalled models can be repaired for free at a dealership.
- Bodywork and wheel damage: The RX450h is a big car, so it can be difficult to manoeuvre. If you're buying one second-hand, check the wheels and bodywork carefully for any damage. You might be able to carry out a repair yourself depending on the extent of the damage.
These common problems should be taken into consideration when buying a used RX450h. However, it's worth noting that Lexus vehicles are among the most reliable you can buy, and the RX450h is no exception. The hybrid power unit seems to be bulletproof, with some owners having put over half a million miles on them with no adverse effects.
Are Lexus RX450h reliable?
RX owners were generally satisfied with their cars according to our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, which found it finishing second out of 24 cars in the large SUV class. This was backed up by the Lexus brand being the top-scoring manufacturer in our survey of 32 car manufacturers, with a score of 98.3%.
What are the best years for used Lexus RX450h?
The Best Model Years to Buy a Lexus RX 450h
With the 2020, you would only pay, on average, 72% of the price as new, with 83% of the vehicle's useful life remaining. The 2021 and 2019 model years are also attractive years for the RX 450h, and provide a relatively good value.
Is Lexus RX450h expensive to maintain?
Typically, hybrid vehicles like the RX450h can be a tad pricier to maintain than their non-hybrid counterparts due to their advanced technology. On average, you might be looking at around $550 to $700 annually for regular maintenance tasks.
How much does it cost to replace the battery in a Lexus RX450h?
Labor costs are estimated between $264 and $333 while parts are typically priced around $292. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
2016 Lexus Rx450h car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lexus Rx450h problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
- Structure problems
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Lexus Rx450h vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2016 Lexus Rx450h complaints
The NHTSA has received 25 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Lexus Rx450h.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- VIN: 2T2BZMCA8GC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Car has a continuous gas smell after start up. When a/c or heat is turned off the car cabin smells of gaslione. I have taken to the car to lexus dealership repeatedly and have been advice car operates as intended. There is also a hissing noise coming from the rear driverside tire area near the gas tank.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-27
- VIN: 2T2BGMCA9GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Upon parking after 20-mile drive, severe leak of transmission oil from transmission oil cooler area, no warning messages/lights or fault codes present. No evidence of leak at starting point for drive, was sudden failure internal to transmission cooler with no evidence of impact/vibration damage or corrosion; failure was perhaps at welds of fins to tubing. Leaking oil creates fire and slip hazard, lack of any kind of warning to driver would have allowed continued driving until transmission failed except for luck that this was short trip. Vehicle has never been damaged in a crash, has been carefully inspected and maintained since purchase new. This is not a wear item and should never fail without external damage or corrosion, certainly not at 45,000 miles. Difficult to believe that this anything other than a manufacturing defect on this early production (VIN ending 002034) vehicle. Repaired by Lexus dealer with Lexus covering half of cost as “goodwill” (cost to me at ~$1,050 incl. towing), although dealer attempted to return vehicle without having reinstalled air duct and lower shroud.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-22
- VIN: 2T2BGMCA0GC
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The hood latch and cable malfunctioned three times in one year. Once in January 2024 (I replaced the latch); once in July 2024 (the dealer recommended to eventually replace the cable, but was able to fix it); and most recently on [XXX] (the dealer identified the cable was faulty and needed to be replaced). The hood would close but not all the way and the hood release had no tension. There was prior warning or symptoms prior to the hood lock failure. All the records for this is with the service department of Pohanka Lexus in Chantilly, VA. I attached the most recent service visit. I took it to the Lexus dealer service center each time. I am getting it fixed this weekend by another service shop (because Lexus charges too much). This was extremely dangerous because if the hood is not secure, it could open at any time while driving and cause an accident, especially at high speeds. There is the potential that if the hood does not lock when closed after it opens, that it could possibly fly open while the car is in motion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- VIN: 2T2ZZMCA4GC
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Good Afternoon, This is in relation to Customer Support Program (20LE02) - Rear Inside Door Handle May Become Inoperative. The Rear right inside door handle of my Lexus 350 became inoperative recently, but I never received a notice regarding 20LE02.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-22
- VIN: 2T2BZMCA7GC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Timing chain cover oil leak is a wellknown issue for Lexus/Toyota V6 engine for more than a decade. The company is still reluctant to provide a long term solution. This 2016 Lexus RX350 F Sport was first discovered Timing Cover oil leak at 49166 miles and was resealed on [XXX] 2021. One year later, on [XXX] 2022, valve cover gasket oil leak was found at 57608 miles. Two months later, on [XXX], 2022, Timing Cover oil leak was discovered again at 58821 miles. Then two months later, on [XXX] 2022, oil leak was discovered again at 59864 miles. [All above was repaired by Thompson Lexus in Doylestown, PA under Lexus Powertrain Warranty.] Now, two years and 15000 miles later, the car is currently developing the same oil leak again at 76500 miles. The car is out of warranty, the repair will cost $7000. Toyota/Lexus should provide a longterm sustainable solution for this problem instead of advising repair shop to merely reseal the cover, which will eventually leak again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-10-06
- VIN: 2T2BZMCA3GC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Lexus RX350 has Timing Cover Gasket issue. My car is manufactured in 2016 and had only 59,757 miles on it but late last year the dealership discovered the leak after an oil change. The cost for repair is estimated $6500+ I am an engineer and researched the issue. I noticed that many people reported on Timing Cover Gasket issue in RX350 cars. I even learned that the next design flaw in RX350 is the water pump. I contacted the Lexus company and reported on the issue. They offered me $2000 discount. This means they are aware of the issue. I believe Lexus shall fix this issue since it can turn into a safety hazard. If customers don't notice the leak, or leave engine oil leaks unchecked, the engine could seize up, or even catch on fire. Please make Lexus to recall Lexus RX350 Timing Cover Gasket, (and water pump). Thanks and be safe, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-12
- VIN: 2T2BZMCA2GC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Loss of power brake assist. The Lexus dealer diagnosed a failed vacuum pump. This is common with the 2016/2017 RX 350's. Lexus has admitted a manufacturing problem with the pumps and has a service bulletin (L-SB-0010-18) and a safety recall on the 2017's (JLD J2D). The recall should be extended to the 2016's. There are tons of people posting on the internet about failed vacuum pumps and resultant safety issues.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-08
- VIN: 2T2ZZMCA8GC
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the moon roof independently fractured. The contact stated no object had struck the moon roof to cause the fracture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the moon roof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-07
- VIN: 2T2BZMCAXGC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: There is oil leak from timing belt casing. Only have 71000 miles on the vehicle.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-17
- VIN: 2T2BZMCA9GC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The vehicle sustained water damage due to Hurricane Ida in September 2021 and was repaired at the dealership. In February 2023, the battery needed replacing for a third time since then and I was told that the front and rear carpeting was soaking wet, again, and it was due to the moonroof rails being clogged. The vehicle is currently at the dealership being assessed and repairs should be borne by the dealer/manufacturer; NOT THE CONSUMER. If this is specific to my vehicle only, then I have a lemon. If it has happened to others, then it should be recalled.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-05-26
- VIN: 2T2BZMCA2GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Auto transmission frequently jerks and seems to search for a gear when starting from a stop. This problem is noted in other vehicles manufactured by Toyota. Dealerships tell me it is a reported problem but there is no remedy. Problem exists from date of purchase May 2016.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-07
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 99999999999
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 2016 LEXUS RX-360. CONSUMER STATED THAT FAILED TO STOP WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-29
- VIN: 2T2ZZMCA0GC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
- Summary: Water may leak from heavy rain, from the sunroof region into a part of the roof, leading to water leaking from the interior microphone above the driver seat. Seems to be a common issue amongst 2016-2017 RX350’s but no recalls. This is a safety issue given that the microphone is where the water leaks to, compromising other electrical systems. In addition, water builds and wets the headliner causing mold/mildew smell, possibly leading to future mold build up which is harmful to health. Lexus in Houston inspected and stated a new sunroof is needed, which is costly, although this is a manufacturer flaw.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-10-20
- VIN: 2T2BZMCA3GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: Around the middle of the month of January of 2022, I discovered that my 2016 Lexus RX350 has massive oil leak from timing chain cover. Thompson Lexus dealership confirmed this oil leak. This leak not just happened, but it has happened long ago at least 6 months prior to the time that I discovered based on old oil dirty debris deposits and paints popped out and rusted caused by prolong oil on the frame. The reason that did not detect the oil leak right away was that I have almost not used the car at all for the past two years due to Covid situation. Second, I have parked my car on my lawn, so that could not see oil drops. Third, I put my trust on Lexus and Toyota products, so I have not inspected for oil leak periodically. This oil leak has soaked many parts of the engine, frame, electrical connections, and possibly other moving parts such pulleys and belts. This can potentially create smoke or fire hazard and belt and pulley slippery which can lead to accidents. At the time of the oil leak, my car was under 54,000 miles and under 6 years, so it was still under powertrain warranty with is 6 years and 70,000 miles. I have contacted Lexus several times regarding this matter. I told them about location of the oil leak and when oil started leaking, my car was still under powertrain warranty but Lexus refused to pay for the timing cover repair. After doing research on RX350 from timing chain cover, I have found out that a lot of Lexus RX350 has developed oil leak from timing chain cover since year 2009 or 2010 model to 2016 year model. Some RX350 developed timing chain cover oil leak from a few thousand miles of first use to 38,000 miles. Lexus was aware of the problem, but completely ignored and failed address the problem and issue a recall.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-20
- VIN: 2T2ZZMCA1GC
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The sunroof exploded while driving at freeway speeds with no apparent reason. Temperature was 75 degrees outside.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-01
- VIN: 2T2BZMCA9GC
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: I brought my vehicle in for damage sustained due to flooding from hurricane Ida. I was told that part of the damage was to 3 tires. I was later informed that the tires need to be replaced due to wear & tear. This vehicle had 18,969 miles of local driving at the time. I’ve never heard of tires being “worn out” on a vehicle purchased brand new with such low mileage. There has to be some kind of defect!
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-03
- VIN: 2T2ZZMCA8GC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: “low braking power” message
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-04-29
- VIN: 2t2zzmca8gc
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: On April 29 while travelling on I185 toward Columbus, GA I heard a loud noise followed by the sound of crumbled glass. When I could find a safe place to pull over, I looked and discovered that my moonroof had shattered. Had the curtain under the moonroof had not been drawn, I would have been hit with the shattered glass, probably resulting in my loss of control over the vehicle at interstate speed, resulting in a serious accident or death. I returned immediately to my dealership, Hennessy Lexus in Duluth, Georgia. They contacted the Lexus regional manager, who denied Lexus' responsibility for the failure. I did, (and needed to) have the moonroof repaired by the dealership. I also contacted Lexus Corporate office by phone, and sent them by email a copy of photos of the broken moonroof and the invoice for the repair. They passed my inquiry down to the regional manager (again) who again denied Lexus responsibility for the failure. The failure occurred in fair weather on a highway with very little traffic, trees or overpasses, and there was no reason to believe that any outside forces caused the failure. I feel that this potentially dangerous failure is a result of poor manufacture or design.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-04
- VIN: 2T2BGMCA2GC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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. THEY WANT 3K TO FIX A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2016 MODELS. CAR HAS 47K MILES AND IS PURCHASED DEC2015 ALL OTHER MAKES FOR THIS YEAR (2016) APPEAR TO BE RECALLED EXCEPT THE HYBRID. PLEASE CONSIDER EXTENDING THE RECALL FOR THE HYBRID.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-04
- VIN: 2T2BGMCA5GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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, WHEEL AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY. CAR WAS RETURNED TO ESKRIDGE LEXUS IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY FOUND A THIRD SPLIT TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE IN AN AREA ABOVE THAT INVOLVED IN THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THE SPLIT WAS NEAR THE END OF THE LINE AND THE MECHANIC SIMPLY CUT OFF THE SPLIT END AND REATTACHED THE LINE WITHOUT REPLACING THE LINE. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SWORE THAT THIS LINE FAILURE WAS UNRELATED TO THE WORK THAT THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY DONE ON THE VEHICLE THE WEEK BEFORE. AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC, THE VEHICLE HAD REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND WAS MAKING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF NOISE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL (AFFECTED AREA). THE OWNERS HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL BRAKE ASSEMBLY DISMANTLED AND CLEANED BY A DIFFERENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE BRAKE PADS TO COATED IN TRANSMISSION OIL AND THE FACE OF THE PADS WERE GLAZED. THE MECHANIC CLEANED EVERYTHING, GROUND THE GLAZE OFF THE FACE OF PADS AND REASSEMBLED THE BRAKE SYSTEM WITH APPROPRIATE LUBRICATION. THE BRAKES PERFORMED NORMALLY FOR ABOUT A WEEK BUT ARE NO MAKING NOISE AND EXHIBITING REDUCED PERFORMANCE. LIKELY, DUE TO THE PAD BEING COMPLETELY SATURATED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE OWNERS ANTICIPATE HAVING TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED SOON. THIS THE THIRD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LINE TO FAIL IN THIS 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 56000 MILES ON IT. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS A FIRE HAZARD AND RESULTED IN BRAKE SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-07-17
- VIN: 2T2BGMCA5GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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 TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START ON FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE, WHEEL AND BRAKES WERE ALSO COVERED IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE A BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED A FEW DAYS PRIOR AND OUR INITIAL THOUGHTS WERE THAT THE OIL WE WERE SEEING WAS RESIDUAL FROM THE OIL CHANGE. WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 2-3 DAYS UNTIL IT WAS CLEAR THAT SOMETHING MAJOR WAS WRONG. WE TOOK IT TO ESKRIDGE LEXUS IN OKLAHOMA CITY WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY OUR VEHICLE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, RECALL OR LEXUS SERVICE BULLETIN. THE CHARGED $1386 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND THE TWO RUBBER LINES. I ASKED WHAT THEY DID TO KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT LEXUS HAD RE-ENGINEERED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO BE METAL WHERE THEY MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH RETAINED ROAD GRAVEL. THE AGREED THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW BUT THAT IT STILL WASN'T COVERED. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS BEGAN LEAKING IN LESS THAN 7 DAYS FOLLOWING THE REPAIR. THE CAR IS A PAMPERED 2016 LEXUS RX450H MIDSIZE SUV WITH LESS THAN 56,0000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN BY MIDDLE AGED PROFESSIONAL FEMALES AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN ON NON BLACK TOP ROADS. I CAN GET ACCESS TO THE REPAIR RECORDS AND PICTURES FROM LEXUS IF NEEDED. WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS LOCATED MAKES THIS A SIGNIFICANT FIRE AND BRAKING SAFETY HAZARD.
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-05-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 2T2BGMCA3GC
- Components: AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
- Summary: 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 AN INVESTIGATION TO SEE IF ANY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I'VE INCLUDED THE ACCIDENT REPORT (POOR QUALITY SCAN BUT STILL READABLE), AND PHOTOS. THE ACCIDENT REPORT SAYS THAT MY CAR WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH BUT I'M PRETTY SURE THAT I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP BY THE TIME SHE HIT ME. WE'RE CURRENTLY AT $22K DAMAGE AND CLIMBING. WITH THE LOCATION OF THE IMPACT, IT'S UNCLEAR TO ME WHETHER THE AIR-BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. IF YOU LOOK AT THE FRONT FACING PHOTO, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE BUMPER AND QUARTER PANEL DID NOT POP BACK OUT AND RETAINED THE SHAPE OF THE IMPACT. THIS SHOULD GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW FAR THE IMPACT SHOVED THINGS IN. THE WHEEL WAS HIT TOO, WHICH DAMAGED SUSPENSION AND STEERING. MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SHOULD IT HAVE BEEN?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-04-16
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 2T2BGMCA5GC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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 SENIOR LIVING COMPLEX HEAD ON. ' COMPLETE DAMAGE AND LOSS OF FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS CAME ON. NO INJURY TO THE DRIVER OR NOT TO ANY PEDESTRIANS. ' SANTA ANA POLICE ARRIVED AT SITE AND CHECKED DRIVER AND THE CAR. DUI NOT REPORTED BY SANTA ANA POLICE. LEXUS CORRESPONDENCE: ' SEVERAL TELEPHONE CALLS MADE WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE EXCEPT FOR CASE NO. 1604192441 ASSIGNED ABOVE. ' LEXUS ASSIGNED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ASSOCIATES (EAA) FOR INVESTIGATION. ' LETTER WRITTEN AND MAILED (REGISTERED) TO LEXUS ON MAY 5, 2016. RESPONSE RECEIVED ONLY AFTER ONE MONTH ON JUNE 2, 2016. ' RESPONSE CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND WITHOUT ISSUE. NO INVESTIGATIVE REPORT PROVIDED. ' INSPECTION AND READ OUT OF EVENT DATA RECORDER COMPLETED ON APRIL 28, 2016. ' REQUESTED LEXUS BY PHONE TO FORWARD THE EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) REPORT. LEXUS FORWARDED EDR BUT NO CONCLUSIONS ARRIVED AT EXCEPT FOR ELABORATE FINDINGS TOWARDS AIR BAGS DEPLOYMENT. NO MENTION OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION DUE TO FAULTY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROBABLE CAUSES: (1)SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM (ETCS) AND ASSOCIATED SENSORS WHICH HAS NO 'FAIL SAFE' MECHANICAL LINK BETWEEN GAS PEDAL AND ENGINE. (2) MALFUNCTIONING OF ABS ACTUATOR RESULTING IN IMPROPER TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATION AND REDUCING THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSISTANCE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-10
- VIN: 2T2BGMCA0GC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: 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 AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM A LEXUS DEALERSHIP. THE MILAGE AT THE TIME OF BREAKDOWN WAS ONLY 883 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP LABELED THIS EVENT AS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, BUT I HAVE RECEIVED NO VALID EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-04-22
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
2016 Lexus Rx450h recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2016 Lexus Rx450h.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A defective inflator may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2016 Lexus Rx450h car reviews
Positive 2016 Lexus Rx450h car reviews
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I purchased my 2016 RX 450h three years ago and I must say, the vehicle is truly amazing. The luxury package and safety features are top-notch, and I absolutely adore the front CD/DVD player, panoramic moonroof, and the outstanding Mark Levinson audio system. The heated and cooling reclining seats are a real treat, and the ride quality is incredibly smooth and quiet. Although I had a terrible experience purchasing my car at Lexus of Carlsbad (CA), I have found that Lexus of the Monterey Peninsula does an excellent job of servicing it. Unfortunately, the car does not come with desirable features such as Apple Car Play and Android Auto, and wireless charging. There are a few RX features that could be improved, such as the infotainment system and mouse which can be a bit of a nightmare, the grab bar placement which is a bit ridiculous, and the console storage which is inadequate. It's also worth noting that the Bridgestone Ecopia tires that came with the car were bald at 12,000 miles despite meticulous maintenance. Overall, I am a huge fan of the RX hybrid and will likely be a Lexus owner for life. However, I will definitely not be purchasing another vehicle from Lexus of Carlsbad!
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I purchased my first Lexus RX in 2000 and traded it in for a 2006 Lexus RX 400h in May 2005. I drove it until November 2015 when I traded it in for a 2016 red Lexus RX 450h. The RX 450h is definitely more refined and, although I am not an expert, I feel that the CVT transmission is much superior to the 8-speed in the 350. I have no complaints about the 2016 RX 450h. It is extremely quiet, responsive, and safe. The driver's assist technology is superb, and the color is uplifting. Now that I have driven more than 10,000 combined highway and city miles, the vehicle has delivered on all of its promises. I am now used to the mouse and can navigate easily. The odometer hit 22,500 miles, and I am still thrilled with my purchase. The mileage is averaging 28.2 over the distance travelled. It is still a pleasure to drive this vehicle. Here we are more than 5 years later and 43,000 miles on the odometer, and my garaged 2016 Lexus 450h feels and drives like a new vehicle. When will I tire of this vehicle? I really don’t know. Except for the voice recognition function, which was hard to deal with from the beginning, every other function on this extremely reliable vehicle is still like new. I will be waiting for the 2023 model remake before I think about trading in my 2016, and that is a big if. I recently moved to Evansville, IN, and although the facilities of the Lexus dealer there are less welcoming, the service specialist is just as nice. The vehicle has 52,000 miles on it now, and still no complaints whatsoever. I expect to keep my 2016 Lexus 450h until there is a complete model remake, which may occur in 2023.I have been driving my 2016 Lexus 450h for over 6 years now, and it still feels and drives like a new car, with no technical issues to report. While the voice recognition can be frustrating at times, and the lack of Apple play is a bit annoying, I have no other complaints. The extra safety features that come with new cars these days are already included in my Lexus, so there's nothing to brag about. However, I am excited to try out the new 2023 RX 350h, which is designed to replace my current vehicle. I hope it will have better voice recognition and standard Apple play, as well as a firmer suspension. During a recent trip to New Mexico, my cruise control/radar stopped working, and although it has since started working again, the intermittent issue is still on my mind. I have taken my vehicle to three dealerships, and while they were all very friendly and did their best to investigate the issue, they were unable to find a solution. I am hopeful that the next time it happens, they will be able to figure it out. Overall, I am very satisfied with my Lexus and look forward to trying out the new model.This vehicle is absolutely amazing! I have owned over 15 cars in the last 55 years, but none of them compare to my RX450h SUV. It is incredibly comfortable, especially on long road trips, and I have never had any issues with it in the 7 years and 69500 miles that I have driven it. Even though newer models have more safety and driver assistance features, I am hesitant to part with my car that I purchased in January of 2016. I am waiting a little while longer before I consider purchasing a newer model. Overall, I would still give this vehicle a 5-star rating, with the only downside being the voice recognition.
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I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying your new Lexus RX450H! Overall, it's an excellent car. I understand that the mouse control on the electronics can be very sensitive, which can make managing the navigation settings a bit tricky. Perhaps they could have made it a bit less sensitive to make things easier for you.
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I really appreciate the car, but I have to say that I'm not a fan of the front seats. The bolsters on either side are quite rigid and relatively high, which can be uncomfortable for larger individuals as they end up sitting on the bolster instead of between them. Unfortunately, this can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and become quite uncomfortable after about 20 minutes. It seems that smaller individuals don't have this issue. I reached out to Lexus customer service, but they informed me that they can't do anything at the moment. However, they did mention that if they receive enough feedback, they may consider a design change in future vehicles.
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You cannot go wrong with choosing this car. It is quiet, luxurious, has nice styling, and great gas mileage, especially if you have a light foot.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Lexus Rx450h problems:
Lexus RX 450h Problems: Common Issues and Repair Costs ...
RX 450h models are fairly heavy and often develop suspension problems. Some owners report leaks in the system, while others report the compressor wears out ...
What are common issues with a 2010-2016 Lexus RX450h with ...
Sep 19, 2022 ... Jokes aside, oil leaks (2010 and 2011 most commonly) and the dreaded soy coated wiring that has been known to be a desirable snack for rodents, ...
2016 Lexus RX Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Oct 28, 2022 ... Common problems reported on the 2016 Lexus RX include Bluetooth connectivity issues, shifting slowly between gears, as well as an exhaust smell ...
Rx 450h known problems? - RX 300 / RX 350 / RX 400h / RX 200t ...
Jun 11, 2023 ... I avoided a model with a sunroof or air suspension. The latter can be an issue on the 3rd gen RX, but they dropped it on the 2016-on model.
Other years of Lexus Rx450h
Are you having problems with your 2016 Lexus Rx450h?
Darrick Kshlerin 2025-02-17
I hope my experience is unique. At 1438 miles, I had to replace the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel gauge, and brake pump booster, which took 21 days in the shop. At 10,019 miles, I scheduled a lift gate recall repair and oil change, but it took 45 days to get the part and a second trip to the dealer for installation. At 12067 miles, I had to replace a leaking transaxle oil seal. At 20,140 miles, I had to replace the same leaking transaxle oil seal for the second time and the transaxle itself. According to my service adviser, the transaxle was scored and was a factory defect, which took 6 days to receive the part. At 20,153 miles, the air conditioner on the driver's side stopped working, which took 16 days to get the damper servo to repair. On one occasion, the radio was on, but no sound would emit, but restarting the engine caused it to work again. On another occasion, several warning lights flashed, but I couldn't tell which ones they were since I was driving. About 20% of the time, I have to try a second time to start the car. None of the electrical problems created an error code, and the service department can't replicate them. Fortunately, I leased the car, and it will be returned at the end of the lease. My wife and I really wanted to keep this car (I even flew at my expense from Dallas to San Antonio to get it as it was exactly what we wanted and was the only one of its kind in North America), but it's been far too unreliable for us to do so. I'm grateful all these problems have been handled under warranty, and I'm grateful that the dealer always provides a quality loaner for us to use when our car is in the shop.
Russ O'Keefe 2025-02-01
The car is super comfortable and has one of the nicest interiors in its class. Although I think the new styling is a bit over the top, my wife really likes it. The radio and Nav interface could be better, but once you get used to it, it's not bad. Unfortunately, there are some body fit and quality issues that are a disappointment, such as the gas filler door sticking out of the body, the front hood rattling, and the weather strip around one of the passenger doors coming loose. Additionally, the paint on the front bumper around one of the parking sensors is discoloured. At 4000 miles, the sending unit for the gas gauge failed, leaving my wife stranded when she ran out of gas with the gauge showing 3/4 of a tank. The on-center feel of the steering is vague, and there is a bit of torque steer on hard acceleration. However, the ride is smooth and silent.
Sigurd Leffler 2024-10-06
Great luxury interiors! However, despite the $55K plus price ticket, there seems to be not enough sound suppression for road noise in the cabin. Additionally, the exterior front design may be a bit too exaggerated, which takes away from the class of the vehicle.
Kirk Ruecker 2024-09-07
We have decided not to proceed with the trade-in of our 2010 RX-350 for the 2016 model. While we appreciate the effort put into the design, it does not align with our personal taste and preferences. We will be exploring other options such as Mercedes, BMW, or Audi. Thank you for the opportunity.