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Research · Subcompact Cars

2016 Lexus RC350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2016 Lexus RC350. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (1) and service brakes (1). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
1
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$3,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Lexus RC350 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2018 – Jul 2018
  1. Vehicle speed control1
  2. Service brakes1

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 RC350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20161
20172
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

1 report
“THE CAR HAS BRAKES THAT ARE MAKING LOUD NOISE AND AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES AND ROTORS FROM THE DEALER THE CAR BRAKING IS QUESTIONABLE AND SUB-PAR COMPARED TO WHEN THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. I AM AFRAID THAT THE POOR BRAKES IS A PUBLIC CONCERN. THE CERRITOS LEXUS DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE CAR HAS FLAWED BRAKES AND LEXUS CORPORATE AGREED BUT HAS NOT TAKEN ACTION TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE BRAKING ABILITY AND HAS REDUCED THE USE OF THE VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2018Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11109959

Service brakes

1 report
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact 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 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RC 350
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500396
RC 350 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
192621$3,700415
  • RC 350
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • RC 350 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Lexus RC350 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 10754Vehicle 10753
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 RC350 questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Lexus RC350 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.

What are the most common 2016 Lexus RC350 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (1), service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Lexus RC350 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Lexus RC350 at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026