2016 Lexus IS300Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2016 Lexus IS300. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and service brakes (1). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Electrical system1
- Service brakes1
- Tires1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
What owners report most
Electrical system
“The contact owns a 2016 Lexus IS300. The contact stated that the instrument panel continued to display an electrical short that flashed the lights and emitted a loud sound from the radio for the system to be reset. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who reprogrammed the software however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure was happening more frequently. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the front display and radio needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”
Service brakes
“When I bought this car in 2019, I bought it in the summer time so I didn't hear anything so I bought the car. When winter came along and as it got colder out I notice that when I get up in the morning and cold start the car and when I put it on drive and pressed on my brakes there will be a squeeking noise coming from the brake...I told Madison of Lexus about this and they say it's just the brake dust..as time goes by It keeps on doing it more and more often. I told Madison of Lexus about it and they want me to go in to fix the problem. I went in and they say they look at it. so it turns out that they have to order the part. I forgot what the part was called. I waited for my warrenty check up and I even called them the day before I went in to the shop to have it fix and the people that fix car told me over the phone that yes the part for my brakes are in. So I went in and after they were done with the car I ask the technician or who was fixing my car to see if they got my brakes fix. He told me that he didn't even touch the brakes because they have fix it last time I was there. I try explaining my whole suggestion with him but all he said was they fix it last…”
Tires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS IS 300 EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA ALL SEASON TIRES, SIZE: 225/40/R18 (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PERFORMING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE TREADS WERE WORN DOWN. DOLAN LEXUS (7175 S VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511) STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR, AND THE TIRES BECAME WORN DOWN QUICKLY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD GET LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE NOT CHANGED. ONE YEAR LATER, WHILE PERFORMING ANOTHER OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INNER TIRES WERE BALD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS FLOATING. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE MOVED INWARD AND BECAME BALD QUICKLY. THE LEXUS MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO BRIDGESTONE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER (BRIDGESTONE) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO KNOWN FAILURES WITH THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,300. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,600.”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S6)
- Drive
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS 300 AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,600 | 415 |
- 21mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.7%
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.7%
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
2016 IS300 questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Lexus IS300 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 12, 2026.
What are the most common 2016 Lexus IS300 problems?
Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1), service brakes (1), tires (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2016 Lexus IS300 get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Lexus IS300 at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
How safe is the 2016 Lexus IS300?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Lexus IS300 5 out of 5 stars overall.