VehicleVerdict

2018 Lexus Rx350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2018 Lexus Rx350 sits mid-pack among Rx350 years: 30 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 40, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 8 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

30

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Rx350 years?

Rx350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted210 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 210 complaints2008: 160 complaints2009: 114 complaints2010: 123 complaints2011: 49 complaints2012: 46 complaints2013: 39 complaints2014: 22 complaints2015: 58 complaints2016: 78 complaints2017: 69 complaints2018: 30 complaints2019: 41 complaints2020: 9 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 11 complaints2023: 4 complaints
Rx350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rx350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Lexus Rx350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System827%
Transmission413%
Other413%
Speed Control310%
Brakes310%
Engine310%
Visibility & Wipers27%
Body & Structure13%
Lighting13%
Airbags13%

Does the 2018 Lexus Rx350 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V012000Fuel SystemJanuary 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CAR HAS LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP THAT IF IT FAILS MAY RESULT IN CAR NOT RUNNING, WHICH COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS SHOULD IT HAPPEN WHILE ON FREEWAY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN JANUARY BY LEXUS, AND NOW AT THE END OF JUNE, THERE IS STILL NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 13, 2020

“BRIDGESTONE TIRES, TX8A EC1, SIZE P235/55R20, ARE 2 YEARS OLD WITH JUST OVER 14000 MILES, AND ALL TIRE THREAD IS GONE. LOCAL TIRE STORE TELLS ME THAT THEY MUST BE REPLACED AND HE SUSPECTS MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. TIRES WERE ROTATED BY LEXUS AT 5000 MILES AND 10000 MILES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 26, 2020

“I TRIED ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY (PCH IN SANTA MONICA, CA) WHILE TRAVELING FORWARD AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THIS IS THE FORTH TIME THERE HAS BEEN A HESITATION IN ACCELERATION SINCE OWNING THE CAR, BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON MY DASH. THE MESSAGE STATED THAT THERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 27, 2020

“WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AFTER SWITCHING INTO LEFT LANE SAW BRAKE LIGHTS AHEAD AND STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL. HEARD SLIGHT POP SOUND, BRAKE PEDAL WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FLOOR. CAR DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. SWERVED TO LEFT TO AVOID DIRECTLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 13, 2020 · crash

“ON APRIL 15 2020, WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A SPROUTS SUPERMARKET AT 12500 WESTHEIMER RD., HOUSTON, TEXAS 77077. THE LEXUS RX350 (2018) FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO A LARGE BUILDING SUPPORT COLUMN WHICH DID SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE LEXUS AND TO THE COLUMN. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 15, 2020 · crash

2018 Lexus Rx350 — common questions

Is the 2018 Lexus Rx350 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 30 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Rx350 year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2018 Rx350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (8 complaints), transmission (4 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2018 Lexus Rx350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2018 Lexus Rx350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus Rx350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rx350 years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2010, 2009, 2016, 2017. The cleanest record among Rx350 years belongs to 2006.

How safe is the 2018 Lexus Rx350?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Lexus Rx350 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.