RoadVitals

2018 Lexus LS500

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.
4
Latest Feb 25, 2022
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

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Lexus LS500, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, body & structure and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 112 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

  • Other / unspecified250.0%
  • Body & structure125.0%
  • Brakes125.0%

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

Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Lexus LS500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormally loud knocking under the vehicle near the suspension. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.

NHTSA ID
11454114
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
Mileage
33,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 17, 2019

TIRE RECALL. CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR FOUR WEEKS NOW. TIRES ARE BACK ORDERED,. THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. I AM ISSUED A LOANER TO DRIVE, BUT IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING NOT TO KNOW WHEN THE REPAIR WILL BE DONE. IT SEEMS THEY SHOULD HAVE A SUPPLY OF THESE TIRES IF 6300 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED.

NHTSA ID
11232855
Incident
Jun 18, 2019
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 28, 2019

RUN FLAT TIRES ON LS 500 2018 HAS MANUFACTURE RECALL "KLC" AND NHTSA RECALL "19V134". THE VEHICLE WILLL BE DRIVEN CONTINUALLY OVER 2,500 MILES AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60MPH FOR 7-8 HOURS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS. LEXUS DEALER IS UNABLE TO RESPOND IF THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE RECALLED. DRIVE SAFELY IS THE CONCERN.

NHTSA ID
11204231
Incident
Apr 4, 2019
Mileage
6,469 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 9, 2018
Crash reported

2018 LS 500. CONSUMER WRITES WITH REGARD TO POOR DESIGN FEATURES AND HIGH REPAIR COST FOR VEHICLE. *AS NO ANSWER REQUIRED, NHTSA CC'D ON COMPLAINT. *EA *JS *JS

NHTSA ID
11138733
Incident
Sep 16, 2018

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.

L-SB-0043-20 Obs

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

OBSOLETE NOTICE December 08, 2022: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0057-22

L-SB-0057-22

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

TSB: Some 2018 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform? 2.0 Navigation System, require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software. The SST is used with applicable vehicles to deliver the update, however, the process for generating license keys differs from previous generations. Before attempting to perform a map update, the expiration date of the dynamic subscription (stored in the head unit), must be checked. If the expiration date has not passed, a license key may be generated without the purchase of an activation card number (ACN). Updating the map without the use of an ACN is considered an Embedded Navigation Update (refer to pg. 10) and performing this update does not extend the subscription to dynamic map services. If the subscription period has expired, or is expiring within the next 90 days, it should be recommended to the customer to purchase an ACN. Utilizing an ACN, will initiate the Dynamic Navigation Update (refer to pg. 4). This Dynamic Navigation Update will perform the embedded navigation update and provide dynamic map services for a period of two years from the date that the Dynamic Navigation Update is performed. ACNs are provided in a pamphlet available through the normal parts ordering system

L-SB-0003-19 Rev

EXTERIOR LIGHTING; STRUCTURE

TSB: Some 2018 ? 2019 model year LS 500 and LS 500h and 2019 ? 2022 model year RX 350 and RX 450h vehicles may exhibit a condition where the rear combination lamp front corner on the right and/or left-hand side expands and contacts the body. This condition may occur in hot and/or sunny conditions and may result in paint chipping on the body panel. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition

LSB001322

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TSB: Some 2018 ? 2021 model year LS 500 and LS 500h vehicles may exhibit a knock/clunk noise from the rear of the vehicle when applying the brakes while driving forward and/or in reverse. The noise is most noticeable when coming to a complete stop. New countermeasure rear brake pads are available to correct this condition. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.

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 LS500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2022000—
2021100—
2020010—
2019330—
2018Viewing420—

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.