2016 Lexus RC: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 Lexus RC at 21–26 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 3 owner complaints for this model year.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
21–26
NHTSA overall rating
—
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as RC 200T, RC 300.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Lexus dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 Lexus RC recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2016 Lexus RC, newest first.
Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump
NHTSA 26V222000Reported Apr 8, 2026
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 26LB05/26LA05)
Units affected
9,139 (estimate)
Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB05 and 26LA05.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 Lexus RC fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 Lexus RC crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2016 Lexus RC NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2016 Lexus RC200t 2 DR AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Optional
2016 Lexus RC200t 2 DR RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Optional
2016 Lexus RC300 2 DR AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Optional
2016 Lexus RC300 2 DR RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 Lexus RC owner complaints
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Lexus RC, most recently on Oct 1, 2026. 0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 Lexus RC complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Unknown or other
2
Engine
1
Fuel/propulsion system
1
Latches/locks/linkages
1
Vehicle speed control
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
