LexusRC F2016Overview/lexus/rc-f/2016/base/

2016 Lexus RC F

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2016 Lexus RC F is a rear‑wheel‑drive passenger coupe built on Lexus’s N‑platform and equipped with an eight‑speed automatic (S8) transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and a combined 19 mpg. Its powertrain generated the model’s most frequently cited issue—a single fuel‑propulsion system complaint—yet the year recorded only one owner‑reported problem and one recall, the lowest figure across the 2015‑2022 complaint window. This minimal incidence places the 2016 iteration at the bottom of the model’s reliability spectrum, indicating that, relative to surrounding years, it represents the most trouble‑free point in the RC F’s early production run.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182016

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy16/25/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS 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 NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/35ZR19; REAR: P275/35ZR19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0; REAR: 10.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 0415251010
Engine air filter1780138021
Spark plug9091901279
Front wiper blades8522224150 alt 8521253100
Serpentine belt9091602632
Thermostat1632670020 alt 160310S010
Cabin air filter8713930100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.4 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3957 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 25 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RC F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.0–4.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.00 sec — 2021 Fuji Speedway Edition Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Coupe 5.0L V84.30 sec12.80 sec467 hpRWD
2015Coupe 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec467 hpRWD
2015Coupe 5.0L V84.40 sec12.80 sec467 hpRWD
2015Coupe 5.0L V84.50 sec12.90 sec467 hpRWD
2020Performance Package Coupe 5.0L V84.10 sec12.70 sec472 hpRWD
2020Performance Package Coupe 5.0L V84.40 sec12.80 sec472 hpRWD
2020Track Edition Coupe 5.0L V84.40 sec12.80 sec472 hpRWD
2021Fuji Speedway Edition Coupe 5.0L V84.00 sec12.40 sec472 hpRWD

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 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.9
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.85 qt
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant Capacity12.3
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts221 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 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 214.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerLexus
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.88-3.00 oz

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
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimumpsi
RPM28-85 @ idle rpm
Residual Pressure21 After 5 min, engine off psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 22; Front: 22
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100; Rear: 92 /; Front: 100; Rear: 92
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.220; Rear: 1.024
Maximum Rotor Runout.002
Maximum Drum DiameterParking brake 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
184.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 14.084 in
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 5,000 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.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test)
Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Cooler (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark 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 Lexus RC F marks a sharp improvement over its 2015 debut, with complaints plummeting from 10 to just 1—a single fuel/propulsion system report—while recalls and investigations held steady at 1 each. This year sits on a clear downward trend in technical service bulletins (TSBs), dropping from 196 in 2015 to 153, signaling that Lexus actively refined early production issues. Compared to later model years, the 2016 still carries a higher TSB count than the 20202022 range (69–29), but it avoids the teething problems of the 2015 launch. The data suggests the 2016 RC F is a solid buy, offering early-cycle improvements with minimal owner complaints, though a 2017 or 2018 would provide even fewer service bulletins if ultimate refinement is the priority.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
153
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
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 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V107000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 14/02/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lexus GS F, 2018 LC500, and 2015-2018 Lexus RC F vehicles, equipped with 5.0L V8 2UR-GSE engines with two high pressure fuel pumps… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 2, 2018. Owners may contact Lexus customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 153 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 RC F. 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 RC F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RC F get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined mpg.