Research · Compact Cars
2016 Lexus IS350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2016 Lexus IS350. Most complaints involve suspension (1) and vehicle speed control (1). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
2
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$3,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Lexus IS350 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2019 – Sep 2020
- Suspension1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Forward collision avoidance1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Suspension
1 report
“I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND AFTER 18,000 MILES, THERE IS SUSPENSION NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. A LOUD THUMP CAN BE HEARD WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS, SMALL POTHOLES, OR UNEVEN ROADS AT MODERATE SPEEDS. DRIVING OVER THE ELEMENTS AT HIGHER SPEEDS, YOU CAN FEEL THE IMPACT THAT'S CAUSING THE THUMP. NO NOISE FROM SUSPENSION WHEN DRIVING THROUGH IT AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN DRIVING ALONE, HOWEVER, THUMPING SOUND IS PRESENT AT ALL SPEED LEVELS THROUGH EVERY BUMP ON THE ROAD WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT.”
Vehicle speed control
1 report
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN ON I-90 WEST GOING TO BUFFALO NY COMING FROM BOSTON MA I ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER DRIVER IN THE LEFT LANE THAT WAS GOING EXTREMELY SLOW I TRIED TO ACCELERATE MY LEXUS EQUIPPED WITH PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) AND THE VEHICLE STARTED BEEPING AT ME DETECTING THAT I WAS GOING PRETTY FAST ONTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, MY IDEA BEHIND DOING SUCH MANEUVER WAS TO PASS THE PERSON IN MY RIGHT HAND AND THEN GET OFF THE LEFT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY SO CAN GET OFF THE BACK OF THE SLOW PERSON, AFTER BEEPING SEVERAL TIME FOR SPLITS OF SECONDS I GOT TO GET OFF THE LEFT LANE SO THE PERSON ON MY RIGHT BECOMES THE PERSON BEHIND ME; THE CAR DID SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SAFE AT ALL AFTER ALL THIS AND ME NOT HAVING NOBODY IN FRONT OF THE CAR, MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BEEP AND APPLIED THE BRAKE PRETTY HARD ALMOST MAKING THE PERSON BEHIND ME CRASHING INTO MY BUMPER, I BELIEVE AS A CAR ENTHUSIAST THAT THE PCS ON THE LEXUS VEHICLES HAS TO BE IMPROVED AND REVISED SINCE IT HAS A HUGE LAG OF TIME REACTION , I CONSIDER THIS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR OUR ROADS!”
Forward collision avoidance
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S8) · Automatic (S6)
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel 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 7, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS 350 Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,500 | 396 |
| IS 350 AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,700 | 415 |
- 22mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Lexus IS350 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 IS350 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%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| 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
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2016 IS350 questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Lexus IS350 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 7, 2026.
What are the most common 2016 Lexus IS350 problems?
Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (1), vehicle speed control (1), forward collision avoidance (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2016 Lexus IS350 get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Lexus IS350 at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
How safe is the 2016 Lexus IS350?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Lexus IS350 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026