There are 6 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2016 Lexus RXin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Loss of power brake assist. The Lexus dealer diagnosed a failed vacuum pump. This is common with the 2016/2017 RX 350's. Lexus has admitted a manufacturing problem with the pumps and has a service bulletin (L-SB-0010-18) and a safety recall on the 2017's (JLD J2D). The recall should be extended to the 2016's. There are tons of people posting on the internet about failed vacuum pumps and resultant safety issues.
2016 LEXUS RX-360. CONSUMER STATED THAT FAILED TO STOP WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION.
“low braking power” message
WE TOOK A CAR FOR LEASE FROM LEXUS. THE FIRST WEEK, WE REALIZED THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING WELL. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEN, A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. LAST WEEK, AFTER 2 YEARS, I WAS DRIVING AND SO WAS MY DAUGHTER ( TWO DIFFERENT TIMES ) AND WE COULDN'T BREAK THE CAR. THE CAR DROVE RIGHT PAST THE INTERSECTION ON A RED LIGHT. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO PEDESTRIANS OR VEHICLES AT THAT SECOND. WE BROUGHT IT TO ALEXUS AND THEY TESTED THE BRAKES AND SAW A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND THE METAL WAS SCRAPING. THEY ASKED FOR A LARGE SUM AND SAID WE NEVER COMPLAINED BEFORE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS RX350. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE LEGS, CHEST, AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED LEXUS OF TOWSON (1040 YORK ROAD, TOWSON, MD 21204; 410-769-9400) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS RX350. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED FOR THE HIGHWAY PATROL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT NOT DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026