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2016 Lexus RX maintenance schedule

The 2016 RX is part of the AL20 generation (2016-2022), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2016 RX needs, and when

All 6 of these items come from Lexus's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Lexus's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter10,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Brake fluid30,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant100,000 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluidNo scheduled replacementManufacturer
Spark plugs (3.5 L V6)60,000 mi / 6 yearsManufacturer
EV coolant loops150,000 mi / 15 yearsManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them. Services we could not find an interval for are left off rather than guessed.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Powertrains in this generation

  • 3.5 L 6-cyl, 295 hp, 8-speed auto, FWD / AWD
  • 3.5 L 6-cyl hybrid, eCVT, AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2016 RX owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Front timing-cover oil leak

medium severity

80,000-130,000 mi · $1,500-$3,300 to fix

Oil seepage

Source: clublexus.com

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA recalls for the 2016 Lexus RX

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Lexus dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Air bags

NHTSA 18V085000

January 2018

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.

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.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

NHTSA 16V198000

April 2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.

Air bags

NHTSA 16V053000

February 2016

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.

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.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$550

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other RX model years

AL20 (2016-2022)

2016201720182019202020212022

Shopping new? The Lexus RX guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-22. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running an RX for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2016 RX earns before you buy it.

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