RoadVitals

2018 Lexus ES350

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Jun 8, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Nov 4, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Lexus ES350, most frequently naming the driver assistance, body & structure and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 75 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance240.0%
  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Engine120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V682000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Nov 4, 2020
1,525,742 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 20TA02, 20LA01View on NHTSA.gov
20V012000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Jan 13, 2020
1,830,752 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 20TB02/20TA02/20LB01View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistance
Filed Jun 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn into a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration driving to the opposite side of the parking lot before the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that moments later the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 66,150.

NHTSA ID
11525958
Incident
Mar 22, 2023
Mileage
66,150 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Oct 8, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND THERE WERE A COUPLE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE LIGHT WAS RED. I WAS A CAR LENGTH AND A HALF AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I SAW THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME PROCEED TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF HIS BRAKES, SO I THOUGHT HE WAS MOVING FORWARD AS WELL. SO THEN I DECIDED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 5-10 MPH. BY THE TIME I REALIZED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WASN'T MOVING FORWARD, MY CAR HIT HIS TRAIL-HITCH" (NOT HIS BACK BUMPER) AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED, BUT I COULD DRIVE IT FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE ASSIST OF MY 2018 LEXUS ES350 DID NOT ENGAGE. I THINK THE BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTION ON MY VEHICLE WAS FAULTY AND IT SHOULD'VE BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED, AS IT WOULD'VE STOPPED ME FROM GETTING INTO A CAR ACCIDENT IN THE FIRST PLACE HAD IT ENGAGED AND WORKED PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID
11363483
Incident
Feb 18, 2020
Mileage
13,047 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 52 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTOFF AND APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JOHNSON LEXUS LOCATED AT 5839 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. INFORMATION DOWN LOADED FROM THE VEHICLE?S COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DEPRESSING BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. *LN *TR

NHTSA ID
11360612
Incident
Sep 20, 2020
Mileage
9,000 mi
Filed Aug 22, 2019

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SPLIT IN HALF WHEN THE A/C CAME ON DURING A VERY HOT DAY.

NHTSA ID
11245768
Incident
Jul 31, 2019
Mileage
9,500 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 29, 2017

CRUISE CONTROL WITH DISTANCE FOLLOWING. THIS SYSTEM WHEN ACTIVE AND BY DESIGN STOPS SLOWING THE VEHICLE AT AN ESTIMATED 25 MILES AN HOUR. THE OPERATOR IS EXPECTING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IT DOES NOT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE REAR END COLLISIONS BECOME PROMINENT REGARDLESS IF DOCUMENTED IN MANUALS. SINCE THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF THIS SYSTEM THE OWNER MAY NOT KNOW WITH WHICH ONE THEY HAVE. SO IF YOU'RE COMING UP ON STOPPED TRAFFIC AND RELYING ON THE CAR TO STOP ITSELF FROM SAY 65 70 MILES AN HOUR, THE CAR SLOWS TO 25 MPH OR SO AND SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY BRAKES RELEASE YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN WITH ONLY 50 FEET OR SO TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE PANIC STOP. INCREDIBALLY DANGEROUS. IT SHOULD BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP IF NECESSARY. DATES OF OCCURANCE ARE VARIOUS

NHTSA ID
11051352
Incident
Nov 27, 2017
Mileage
100 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23LE01

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Lexus?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program for certain 2013-2020 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with low pressure fuel pumps repaired under Safety Recall 20LA01 or Special Service Campaign 21LC01. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement.

LSB000523

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TSB: Some 2013 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ?DTC P0171 and/or P0174 (System Too Lean Bank 1/Bank 2) ?DTC P0087 Fuel Rail / System Pressure ? Too Low Techstream data list analysis may reveal positive fuel trims including a no pressure condition verified by a manual fuel pressure gauge. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address these conditions.

Safety Recall 22

EQUIPMENT

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

L-SB-0004-22

AIR BAGS

TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This service bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0002-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

TSB: This Service Bulletin includes guidelines meant to help determine whether to repair or replace a wire harness assembly based on damage type. This Service Bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Electronic Wiring Diagram (EWD) and/or Repair Manual.

Lexus PRO19-02 -

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus ES350 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023100—
2022200—
2021500—
2020510—
2019520—
2018Viewing520—
2017221051.6
2016211036.1
2015161036.3
2014281043.9
2013231044.4
2012893157.4
20111533158.0
20101375159.1
20091455262.6
20082555262.7
20075395464.2

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.