2018 Lexus ES350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
31/100
#10 most-complained of 14 ES350 years
The 2018 Lexus ES350 has a Complaint Index of 31 and ranks 10th out of 14 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other ES350 years. NHTSA lists 5 complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 crash for this year, with engine issues making up 60% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 30 hwy
Top 2018 Lexus ES350 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (60%)
- Other2 (40%)
- Brakes1 (20%)
- Structure & Body1 (20%)
What owners report
- Owners report the engine suddenly shutting off while driving around 52 mph, then restarting on its own 5 to 10 seconds later.
- Some describe unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvers, such as turning into a parking lot at about 5 mph, before the engine shut off.
- Owners report the adaptive cruise control's distance-following feature failing to bring the vehicle to a complete stop at an estimated 25 mph, raising rear-end collision concerns.
- One owner reported a crash at a stoplight involving unexpected vehicle movement after the light turned green, tied to a structure and body complaint.
2018 Lexus ES350 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: 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 assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
- NHTSA 20V012000Jan 13, 2020Fuel System1,830,752 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: 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.
2018 Lexus ES350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other ES350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Lexus ES350 reliable?
- Relative to other ES350 model years, the 2018 is rated "Good" with a Complaint Index of 31, which is lower than the 2010-2012 and 2017 model years but higher than the 2019 and 2021 model years.
- What problems does the 2018 Lexus ES350 have?
- NHTSA lists 5 complaints for the 2018 ES350, with engine problems accounting for 60% of them, including reports of the engine shutting off while driving and restarting seconds later. Brakes and structure/body issues each account for 20% of complaints.
- Does the 2018 Lexus ES350 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 ES350, both related to the fuel system involving fuel pump assembly replacement. Neither recall is classified as do-not-drive.
- What year Lexus ES350 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2017 model years carry "Avoid" verdicts with Complaint Index values of 100, 92, 85, and 77 respectively, all higher than the 2018's index of 31.
- What is the median mileage for engine complaints on the 2018 ES350?
- The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2018 ES350 is 9,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.