2018 Lexus RX350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Lexus RX350 has a complaint index of 33, ranked 13th worst out of 19 model years, and carries a Good verdict. It has 18 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no fires, making it one of the lower-complaint years for this model.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #13 of 19 RX350 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 18
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2018 Lexus RX350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System8 (44%)
- Engine5 (28%)
- Other4 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (22%)
- Brakes3 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (11%)
- Airbags1 (6%)
- Electrical System1 (6%)
- Structure & Body1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report delays getting the fuel pump recall part, leaving vehicles waiting for repair for extended periods.
- Some describe hesitation or non-linear response when pressing the gas pedal during acceleration.
- One owner reported the brake pedal suddenly going to the floor with a popping sound, followed by loss of stopping power.
- Another reported rear windows shattering while driving at highway speed with no impact.
- A headlight complaint described short projected beam distance that made it hard to see close obstacles.
- One owner said an airbag failed to deploy in a high-impact crash that involved a rollover.
2018 Lexus RX350 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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 RX350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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 RX350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Lexus RX350 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 RX350 a Good verdict among RX350 model years, with a complaint index of 33 and 18 total complaints, ranking 13th worst of 19 years covered.
- Does the 2018 Lexus RX350 have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 20V012000) covers a fuel pump replacement; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2018 Lexus RX350?
- Fuel System complaints are the largest category, making up 44% of complaints, mostly tied to the fuel pump recall part being unavailable.
- How does the 2018 RX350 compare to other RX350 years?
- The 2018 model ranks better than years like 2007-2010 and 2013, which carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes as high as 100, and is close in ranking to 2019 and 2022, both rated Good.