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2016 Lexus NX problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Lexus NX is brakes. Its complaint count is close to a typical NX model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
73/100
Owner complaints
18
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
74
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
24-32mpg

The worst 2016 Lexus NX problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    5
  • Engine
    5
  • Fuel system
    5
  • Transmission
    3
  • Airbags
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    5
  • Engine
    5
  • Fuel system
    5
  • Transmission
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Trouble codes owners of the 2016 Lexus NX mention

P0087 2

Recalls 1

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported January 31, 2018 · 48,672 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 18V085000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2016 Lexus NX

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Lexus NX 74

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 74 bulletins for the 2016 Lexus NX

2016 Lexus NX fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cyl HybridFWD343032
2.5L 4‑cyl HybridAWD333031
2.0L 4‑cylFWD222825
2.0L 4‑cylAWD2227-2824

What 2016 Lexus NX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Fuel system · NM

"Vehicle is a 2016 Lexus NX 200t F Sport. While driving, the vehicle suffered a sudden and dangerous loss of engine power and stalled in active traffic, matching the symptoms of the major Denso low-pressure fuel pump recalls (the federal safety agency Campaign 20V‑682). The vehicle was repaired at an authorized Lexus dealership in the US at an out-of-pocket cost of $1,700. The manufacturer refuses to acknowledge the safety defect because the vehicle's VIN was originally coded for the Canadian market, despite the car being purchased, operated, and experiencing a dangerous fuel system failure inside the United States. This VIN batch needs to be investigated and swept into the active safety recall expansion."

Filed Sep 12, 2026 · Brakes · FL

While driving and approaching a red light, my entire breaking system failed. No warning lights appeared, no warning of breaks going bad. Pedal went straight to the floor. Eventually pulled over to the side and had vehicle towed to Lexus. They found the Master brake cylinder to be bad. My vehicle only has 50k miles on it. Only a few more miles and I would have been on the highway going 60 with children in the vehicle! Why would a system fail at 50k miles!!!

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

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.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 84,000 miles · NV

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.

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Transmission · AL

2016 nx, f-sport. Transmission failure. Driving on the interstate and SUV just went into limp mode. No code on dash before this happened.

Filed Jul 23, 2025 · Brakes · MA

The ABS actuator failed. It is available for inspection upon request. The brakes frequently failed, often requiring the brake pedal to be pressed fully to the floor to stop the vehicle, causing severe jolting and near collisions. This created a life-threatening risk to me, my child, and other drivers on the road. A certified Lexus dealership replicated the brake failure issue multiple times during a test drive and confirmed the defective ABS actuator. A trusted local mechanic also identified faulty components, including the master cylinder and spray-painted calipers. The vehicle has been inspected by the certified Lexus dealer and an independent mechanic. There has been no involvement from police or insurance representatives to date. Recently purchased used at 107k. From the initial test drive before purchase, the brakes felt unsafe. Dealer replaced front brake pads. After purchase, the brake pedal often required full depression to stop the vehicle especially during drives longer than 30 minutes.

Filed Sep 29, 2024 · Visibility · CO

The sunroof glass suddenly shattered, for no apparent reason and without warning. There was no collision and no impact by an object. We were driving at freeway speed when we heard a loud bang above our heads. The interior sunroof cover was closed at the time. I slid it partway open and saw that the glass of the sunroof had shattered, so I closed the cover to keep glass from falling in the car. Had it been open at the time of break, the glass would have rained down on the driver and passenger. I have not yet taken it to a dealer or repair shop.

Filed Aug 22, 2024 · Engine · TX

while I was driving in the desert, the check engine light come on and then the motor when on a safe mode idling at less than 5 miles per hour, when I approach a hill did not when up to the hill, the car die. when I started the car back the car went pass the hill and drove for about 20 minutes at 5 miles per hour. I disconnected the battery and work fine after resseting the computer. the car has done the same thing at least three more times.

Filed Jul 1, 2023 · Fuel system · FL

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.

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Questions about the 2016 Lexus NX

Is the 2016 Lexus NX reliable?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2016 Lexus NX, close to a typical NX model year.

What is the 2016 Lexus NX year score?

The 2016 Lexus NX scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lexus NX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Lexus NX?

Brakes, with 5 complaints. Next is engine (5).

How many recalls does the 2016 Lexus NX have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Lexus NX get?

Official estimates for the 2016 Lexus NX range from 24 to 32 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 34 city and 30 highway.

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