Research · Compact Cars

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.

Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Lexus IS300 as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2019 – May 2022
  1. Electrical system1
  2. Service brakes1
  3. Tires1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each IS300 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200135
200245
200334
200429
200516
20163
20172
20186
20197
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 25, 2022Electrical systemODI 11466105

Service brakes

1 report
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2022Service brakesODI 11455335

Tires

1 report
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2019TiresODI 11256476
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
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.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
IS 300 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
192621$3,600415
  • IS 300 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lexus IS300 4 DR RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.7%
Overall
5 / 5
Lexus IS300 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 10097Vehicle 10096
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

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.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026