LexusIS3002016Overview/lexus/is300/2016/base/

2016 Lexus IS300

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 IS300.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Lexus IS300 is a passenger car fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission, carrying EPA fuel-economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. In owner-reported reliability data, the model has generated only three complaints total, with the electrical system cited most often and no recalls on record. Against the IS300’s broader 2001–2019 complaint history—where 2002 peaked at 45 complaints and 2017 bottomed out at 2—the 2016 model sits near the quiet end of the range, marking it as one of the more trouble-free entries in that span.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy19/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/45R17, P225/40R18, P255/35R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5, 8.0, 8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter1780131170
Fuel filter7702430160 alt 7717550010
Spark plug9091901249
Battery2880038100
Front wiper blades8521253100 alt 8522253090
Serpentine belt99367K1550
Thermostat1632631050 alt 1603131020
Cabin air filter8713930100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, SAE J1703 · DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.0
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant Capacity10.1
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs81.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts41.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 217.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 214.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.035-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.80-3.90 oz

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 20 /; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100; Rear: 92 /; Front: 100; Rear: 92
ABS Sensor Torque7.2 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: .650
Maximum Rotor Runout.002
Maximum Drum DiameterParking brake 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001‑2005 model years show complaint counts ranging from 16 to 45 and one to two recalls each year, with no investigations recorded. In contrast, the 2016‑2019 span begins with a markedly low complaint total of three and zero recalls in 2016, followed by two complaints and zero recalls in 2017, then a rise to six complaints and one recall in 2018 and seven complaints with two recalls in 2019. Investigations appear only in the later period, with one each in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and none in 2019. The target year 2016 therefore sits at the low‑complaint, no‑recall end of the complaint/recall trend for this generation. Given its minimal complaint and recall figures relative to surrounding years, the 2016 Lexus IS300 presents a favorable reliability profile for a used purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
164
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Electrical System1
Service Brakes1
Tires1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 164 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
KLG Dealer Packa2022-12-01EquipmentDP: Limited Service Campaign KLG expired December 01, 2022
19LE05 Dealer Pa2022-12-01EquipmentDP: Customer Support Program 19LE05 expired December 1, 2022.
KLG Technical In2022-12-01EquipmentTI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022
19LE05 Technical2022-12-01EquipmentTI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022
Safety Recall 222022-04-13EquipmentLexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific IS300. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 IS300 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the IS300 get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.