2016 Lexus NX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Lexus NX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine523.8%
- Brakes419.0%
- Fuel system419.0%
- Powertrain (other)314.3%
- Airbags29.5%
- Driver assistance14.8%
- Body & structure14.8%
- Visibility14.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
2016 NX, F-SPORT. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND SUV JUST WENT INTO LIMP MODE. NO CODE ON DASH BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
As I was traveling eastbound going 55MPH, a car pulled out in front of me from a parking lot and hit my car in the front passenger side. The impact caused my car to go over both eastbound lanes, the median, both westbound lanes, down a hill, and headfirst into a fence. All passenger side airbags deployed, but my driver airbag did not. The impact from the collision should have caused my airbag to go off, and then head first into the fence should have been a second reason for it to deploy. The airbag not going off could have avoided a concussion and severe neck and back trauma. There is an airbag recall on the year, make, and model of my car but my VIN does not show up as an impacted vehicle. This is being looked into currently by the vehicle manufacturer.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 72.5 MPH THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID 60 TO 70 FEET, CRASH INTO A CONCRETE CENTER DIVIDER AND AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. MODERATE INJURIES. LEXUS DID AN INSPECTION 32 DAYS LATER AND THEY HAVE NO EXPLANATION. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO ON AUGUST 9 , 2019. VEHICLE STILL SITS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHILE I MAKE PAYMENTS, PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR, AND ENSURE THE VEHICLE. LEXUS HAS NOT GIVEN ME ANY WRITTEN EXPLANATION AS PROMISED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ON THE WESTBOUND SIDE OF THE FREEWAY 170 WHEN A VEHICLE HIT ME ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR WITCH THE IT PUSH ME TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FREEWAY MAKING ME GO OF THE ROAD AND HITTING A TREE , I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING AT THE MOMENT OF THE IMPACT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .