Home · 2016 Lexus RX 350h · Complaints

What 85 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Lexus RX 350h

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (85)Crash / fire / injury (13)Brakes (12)Transmission & drivetrain (11)Airbags (10)Body & structure (9)Electrical system (9)Engine (9)Visibility & wipers (7)Speed control (5)Fuel system (4)Steering (3)

9 of 85 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters

Apr 24, 2026Electrical 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.

NHTSA ODI 11733701

Oct 27, 2025Electrical 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.

NHTSA ODI 11695726

Apr 15, 2023Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11517206

Aug 31, 2022Electrical systemBody & structure

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.

NHTSA ODI 11482325

Jan 21, 2021Electrical system

RODENT DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS OF MY 2016 LEXUS RX 350 CAUSED BY LEXUS USING A SOY BASE COVERING ON THE WIRES THAT ATTRACT RODENTS. LEXUS TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR THAT COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. NOT TO MENTION A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BASE ON ALL THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS AND SHOULD LED TO A RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11389298

Dec 3, 2019Electrical system

AFTER REPLACING BATTERY, THE GPS, AUDIO SYSTEM, HEAT CONTROLS, (ENTIRE DISPLAY IS BLANK) THE DEALER SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON-LINE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE..

NHTSA ODI 11286702

Jul 31, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngineCrash

THIS CAR EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY WHILE BEING PUT INTO PARK. THE CAR TOOK OFF AND HIT THE CENTER POSTS OF THE TWO CAR GARAGE AND ONLY STOPPED BECAUSE IT WAS CAUGHT ON THE SUPPORTS IN THE FOUNDATION. WE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE FIRST YEAR WE OWN THE CAR WHEN WE WERE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WE DID REPORT IT WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A SERVICE, THEY WERE AWARE OF THE COMPLAINT BUT AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE COMPUTER SLASH TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I WAS PARKING THE CAR AT THE TOP OF THE DRIVEWAY, MY FOOT WAS GOING ON TO THE BREAK AND THE CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND FLEW THROUGH THE AIR INTO THE CENTER POST OF A 2 CAR GARAGE. I LUCKILY WAS NOT PHYSICALLY INJURED BUT WAS EMOTIONALLY DISTRAUGHT. IT TOOK DOWN BOTH GARAGE DOORS AND THE CENTER PILLAR ALL OF WHICH HAD TO BE REBUILT AND REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11114970

Apr 29, 2018Electrical systemBrakesEngine

FIRST PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL WAS WHEN THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WENT COMPLETELY BLANK WHILE DRIVING DURING BROAD DAYLIGHT. DON'T KNOW THE DATE OF THIS INCIDENT. THOUGHT IT WAS A REBOOT BY ENFORM. THOUGHT NOTHING ABOUT IT. ON 12/21/2017, CHECK ELECTRIC BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING ALL NIGHT. TOOK INTO THE DEALER. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH IT OR ANY ERROR CODES INDICATING ANY PROBLEM. THEY RESET THE ERROR LIGHT. ON 4/23/2018, I STOPPED FOR A STOP SIGN AT ABOUT 12:30 PM, NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AT WHICH POINT I NOTICED I HAD NO LIGHTS ON ANYWHERE ON MY CAR. IT WAS DEAD. I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WAS UNABLE START IT AFTER A COUPLE OF TRIES. CALLED FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE, LET LEXUS DEALER KNOW MY CAR WAS GOING TO BE TOWED TO THEM, AND SAT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHEN A GENTLEMAN CAME ALONG BEFORE EMERGENCY SERVICE REP GOT THERE. HE WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD AFTER 4 DAYS THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. AM NOW DRIVING IT, BUT AFRAID SOMETHING ELSE MAY HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI 11090870

Mar 6, 2016Electrical systemEngine

"TAKATA RECALL" THERE IS SOME SOUND FROM THE CAR WHEN EVER I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITIONER AND WHEN I FILED A CASE THEY ARE SAYING ITS DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC, WHERE AS THERE IS NO SUCH IN THEIR PREVIOUS DESIGNS OR OTHER MODELS AND ITS VERY IRRITATING AND DISTURBING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WHICH MAKES ME TO DISTURB A LOT

NHTSA ODI 10840149

Working with the data? Download all 85 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Lexus RX 350h verdict →