LexusRX450H2016Overview/lexus/rx450h/2016/base/

2016 Lexus RX450H

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 RX450H.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2016 Lexus RX450H is an SUV that pairs an Automatic (AV-S6) transmission with a notably consistent EPA fuel economy of 31 city, 30 highway, and 30 combined mpg. In the context of the model's 2011-2023 production run, this year represents a moderate reliability position, accumulating 34 owner complaints and 2 recalls with the vehicle's structure being the primary area of concern. This complaint volume situates the 2016 model well below the historical peak of 55 complaints seen in 2017, yet significantly above the lowest point of just 1 complaint in 2023, indicating it avoids the most severe reliability pitfalls of its generation while still carrying minor structural quirks.

Model year202520242022202120202019201820172016

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy31/30/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S55D23R Hybrid · 360 CCA battery, 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.

Battery groupBCI S55D23R Hybrid · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/65R18, P235/55R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter178010P090
Fuel filter2330031241 alt 2321731090
Spark plug9091901263
BatteryG951048122
Front wiper blades852120E081 alt 852220E081
Serpentine belt9091602729
Thermostat1632631050 alt 1603131040
Cabin air filter871390E040

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined31 / 30 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

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

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.0
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT 3
Differential Gear OilATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 qt
Engine CoolantHOAT
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

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

Chassis torques

Front Wheel Hub217 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 Gap0.028-0.032 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-1.21 lbs
Oil TypeND 11 Oil
Oil Capacity4.10-4.55 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberS55D23R Hybrid
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberS55D23DL
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca

Service checks

RPM44-50 @ idle rpm
Residual Pressure21 After 5 min, engine off psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimumpsi
RPM28-50 @ idle rpm
Residual Pressure21 After 5 min, engine off psi
RPM55-61 @ idle rpm
Residual Pressure21 After 5 min, engine off psi
Engine Compression109-145 PSI. 15 Maximum variation PSI

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 20 /; Front: 25; Rear: 25
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 77; Rear: 58 /; Front: 114; Rear: 111
ABS Sensor Torque7.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .984; Rear: .650
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0059

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 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) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
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 2016 RX450H stands out as the only model year in this generation with two recalls (the 2019 has one), while complaint volume at 34 is moderate—higher than 2015’s 25 but well below 2017’s peak of 55. The generation-wide pattern shows a single open investigation persisting across every year except 2023, and TSB counts remain high throughout (2016’s 237 is near the median), suggesting the platform has ongoing service advisories but no systemic crisis. The top complaint areas for 2016—Structure, Powertrain, Service Brakes, and Engine—mirror the broader generation’s concerns, but the data does not specify root causes for the two recalls or whether they were remedied in production. With three crash-related complaints and zero fire incidents, safety risk appears low, but the recall count makes 2016 slightly less predictable than the recall-free 2015 or 2017. **Takeaway:** The 2016 is a decent but not optimal choice—its dual recalls and moderate complaints make it a middle-of-the-pack year, so prioritize a vehicle with proof of recall completion and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
237
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
34
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 34 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure6
Power Train5
Service Brakes4
Engine3
Electrical System2
Unknown Or Other2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Exterior Lighting,Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V085000Air Bags:Side/WindowReported 31/01/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners…

16V053000Air Bags:Knee BolsterReported 01/02/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lexus RX350 and RX450h vehicles manufactured November 16, 2015, to December 23, 2015. Due to an improper weld, the gas needed to… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the knee air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 237 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0030-24 Rev22025-12-15StructureSome 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
L-SB-0043-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
L-SB-0017-19 Rev12025-02-07StructureSome 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of…
L-SB-0017-19 Rev12025-02-07StructureSome 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of…
L-SB-0030-24 Rev12024-07-29StructureSome 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…

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 RX450H. 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 RX450H have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RX450H get?

EPA figures are 31 city / 30 highway / 30 combined mpg.