2018 Lexus LS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Lexus LS carries a Complaint Index of 72, ranking 6th worst out of 19 model years, with 14 complaints, 2 recalls, and a Caution verdict. Engine problems account for 29% of complaints, the largest share for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 72/100
- #6 of 19 LS years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 14
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2018 Lexus LS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (29%)
- Electrical System3 (21%)
- Other3 (21%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (21%)
- Fuel System2 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
- Steering1 (7%)
- Structure & Body1 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls suddenly at highway speed and fails to restart, with owners finding metal shavings in the oil or a seized engine.
- The pre-collision system loses power and stops working while the dashboard indicator still shows it as active.
- The transmission unexpectedly downshifts from tenth gear to fourth gear at 70 mph without warning, sometimes repeatedly.
- The 12-volt battery fails prematurely and without warning, leaving the car unable to start.
- Fuel system hesitation occurs during driving, tied to a recall repair that owners say dealers delayed completing.
- Tires show abnormal inner tread wear with no remedy offered by the dealer.
2018 Lexus LS recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V275000Apr 17, 2024Airbags509 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24LA03.
- NHTSA 19V134000Feb 27, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires6,296 vehicles
Tires:sidewall
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Lexus LS vehicles equipped with run-flat tires with a sidewall reinforcement layer inside the tire. The tire-on-wheel assembly process may have caused the reinforcement layer to crack, possibly resulting in the tire tread layer separating from the tire.
Risk: If the tire tread layer separates from the vehicle, vehicle handling and stability may be affected, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the affected tires, free of charge. The recall began April 26, 2019. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. The Toyota number for this recall is KLC.
2018 Lexus LS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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 LS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Lexus LS reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 LS a Complaint Index of 72, the 6th worst of 19 model years for this model, and a Caution verdict. Engine complaints make up the largest share at 29%.
- What problems does the 2018 Lexus LS have?
- Owners most often reported engine issues (29% of complaints, median mileage 36,000), followed by electrical system and suspension/wheel/tire complaints, each at 21%.
- Does the 2018 Lexus LS have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 LS: one for airbag seat assembly on Executive Package models and one for run-flat tire assembly defects. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2018 Lexus LS compare to other LS years?
- The 2018 LS ranks 6th worst of 19 years with a complaint index of 72. Years like 2007 (index 100) and 2008 (index 94) rank worse, while 2013 (index 39) and 2005 (index 44) rank better.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Lexus LS?
- EPA rates the 2018 LS at 24.5 mpg combined (21 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.