YearToAvoid

2018 Lexus NX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#11 most-complained of 11 NX years

The 2018 Lexus NX ranks 11th (best) among 11 model years, with a complaint index of 0, just 16 complaints, and no recalls. Fuel system issues topped the list, but median mileage at failure was 136,000, indicating problems appeared late in the vehicle's life.

Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24.5
22 city / 28 hwy

Top 2018 Lexus NX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System8 (50%)
  2. Engine5 (31%)
  3. Brakes2 (13%)
  4. Other2 (13%)
  5. Steering2 (13%)
  6. Electrical System1 (6%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (6%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (6%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (6%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the engine stalling or losing power while driving on the highway, sometimes triggered by a fuel rail pressure fault code.
  • Some describe the fuel pump failing suddenly at highway speed, causing the vehicle to stall.
  • Several report the brake pedal going to the floor or brakes becoming inoperative, in one case leading to a low-speed crash into a garage.
  • Owners note the sunroof spontaneously shattering while driving, with no visible cause.
  • One owner reported the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn, affecting the ability to complete turns safely.
  • A driver described the engine stopping multiple times on the highway over several months with no diagnosed cause.
2018 Lexus NX complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2021May 2022Mar 2023Jun 2024Jan 2025Jun 2025Nov 2025Apr 2026
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2021 to Jul 2026; peak Oct 2024 (3).

2018 Lexus NX recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2018 Lexus NX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
28 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 NX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Best2017125
2017Best1011024.5
2018Best016024.5
2019Good3030124.5
2020Caution5021024.5

All Lexus NX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Lexus NX reliable?
Among the 11 NX model years with data, 2018 ranks best, with a complaint index of 0, only 16 complaints, and zero recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Lexus NX?
NHTSA complaints show the Fuel System as the top problem area (8 complaints, 50% share), followed by Engine (5 complaints, 31% share) and Brakes (2 complaints, 13% share).
Does the 2018 Lexus NX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2018 Lexus NX, including zero do-not-drive recalls.
At what mileage do 2018 NX problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure across reported complaints is 136,000 miles, with Fuel System and Engine issues specifically showing a median of 232,000 miles.
How does the 2018 NX compare to other years like 2022 or 2024?
The 2018 NX has a complaint index of 0 versus 80 for 2022 and 100 for 2024, both of which carry an Avoid verdict, making 2018 the strongest year in the lineup.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.