Most common 2016 Lexus NX problems
Share of the 18 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus NX complaints by model year
Best NX years: 2016, 2017. Years to avoid: 2024, 2022, 2025, 2023, 2019. Compare all years →
2016 Lexus NX recalls (1)
Air bags › Side/window
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.
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.
What 2016 Lexus NX owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2016 Lexus NX 200T. The contact discovered oil dripping on the surface of her garage floor underneath the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that there was a rear main seal engine oil leak between the engine and the transmission. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
My 2016 Lexus NX200t with approximately 157,000 miles experienced sudden engine stalling, loss of acceleration, and the check engine light illuminated while driving. The loss of power created a dangerous situation because the vehicle was unable to accelerate normally in traffic. These symptoms are consistent with the defective low-pressure fuel pump recall affecting certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles that can cause engine stall and loss of power. However, my VIN is not currently included in the recall even though my vehicle is experiencing the same safety defect. I am requesting that this issue be investigated to determine whether additional vehicles, including my model year, should be included in the recall due to the risk of sudden engine stall while driving.
Fuel & propulsion system
While driving down the Interstate 75 at 70 mph the car completely lost engine power and the whole dashboard lit up. It would not respond to acceleration. I had to pull the car over to the side of the road. I re-started the car and it started back up and worked normally. The following day while on I-75 the car experienced reduced power this time. The car would not accelerate above 20 mph . We got off at the next exit. We spent about 10 minutes searching for the closest Lexus dealer and then when we went to start the car again it ran normally. This has subsequently happened a 3rd time where the car would not respond to the accelerator and I had to pull over to the shoulder and re-start the car. Unfortunately there are no error codes showing when we took it to the dealership on both occasions so they are unable to diagnose the issue.
My 2016 Lexus NX200t with approximately 157,000 miles experienced sudden engine stalling, loss of acceleration, and the check engine light illuminated while driving. The loss of power created a dangerous situation because the vehicle was unable to accelerate normally in traffic. These symptoms are consistent with the defective low-pressure fuel pump recall affecting certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles that can cause engine stall and loss of power. However, my VIN is not currently included in the recall even though my vehicle is experiencing the same safety defect. I am requesting that this issue be investigated to determine whether additional vehicles, including my model year, should be included in the recall due to the risk of sudden engine stall while driving.
Brakes
The contact owns a 2016 Lexus NX 300H. The contact stated that the brake pedal was soft and had low performance. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle was slow to respond. The message "Braking Power Low - Visit the Dealer" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that there was a fee for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact contacted another local dealer, Lexus Service of Glendale (1221 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204). The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under Manufacturer Recall: 21L302; for the brake booster assembly and brake booster pump assembly. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Upon entering a parking lot yesterday and heading down a small ramp my 2016 Lexus NX 200 spontaneously accelerated and even with my foot on the brake did not stop. I was unable to control my car and ending up hitting a tree. All of the airbags deployed; the windshield cracked; the body of the car was severely damaged and I suffered injuries. The car was brought to a body shop and is available for inspection. Fortunately, no other cars were in the parking lot and no one else was hurt. The car will be inspected over the next few days. There weren't any warning signs. I cannot say for sure what mechanical failure occurred to cause the accident, but there was clearly a mechanical failure as the acceleration was beyond my control.
2016 Lexus NX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 34 / 30 / 32 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | AWD | 33 / 30 / 31 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 28 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Lexus NX a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 NX rates average: 16% fewer complaints than a typical year of the NX at the same age. It is one of the best NX years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Lexus NX?
The engine & cooling — 5 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (5) and brakes (5).
How many recalls does the 2016 Lexus NX have?
There is 1 recall for the 2016 Lexus NX, the most recent from January 31, 2018 (side/window). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus NX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2022, 2025, 2023 and 2019. See the full Lexus NX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Lexus NX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 84,000 miles; 14% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.