2018 Lexus NX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 Lexus NX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system836.4%
- Engine418.2%
- Driver assistance29.1%
- Steering29.1%
- Brakes29.1%
- Visibility14.5%
- Electrical14.5%
- Other / unspecified14.5%
- Body & structure14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2018 Lexus NX300 F Sport, stalled while driving, pulled over to safe location turned off vehicle, restarted and proceeded to drive a little. Warning came up on display " Engine power reduced, go to dealer". I was able to drive the car home since it was only 2 miles away. Looked up issue on internet and noticed a recall for said problem. Said do not drive, car is in "limp" mode. Had my car towed to MacIntosh Imports (they only service Lexus & Toyota) they checked diagnostics and code DTC P125D71 Fuel Control Valve stuck. The defect could lead to engine stalling, increasing the risk of crash. Affected vehicles were equipped with a fuel pump that may fail. My vin is not listed on recall, I feel it should be included since the symptoms match and asking Lexus to check for Customer Support Program coverage to fix in "good faith"
The car has shut down. There was a recall for code p125d which was recalled for my vehicle. I have had the car for less than a year. I don't know if the recall was performed on my vehicle but it is having the recall issue.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus NX300. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the message "Check Oil" and the Master Warning Light was flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle stalled several times and failed to exceed 40 MPH while driving to the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the fuel pump was replaced in April of 2024. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 232,000.
My lexus 300NX2018, received a dashboard random warning signal; take vehicle to get service while i was driving. Had my vehicle towed to Lexus of Cherry Hill, point of care for my vehicle services. Explained via text messaging with the Lexus Advisor (Jamie)the issue of vehicle (1) the sudden dashboard signal to get to service dealer soon, movement of my vehicle pressing gas oppose a serious safety risk to me where i had to stop several time for safety, vehicle stalled, idle hesitating , forcing me to pull over for safety. Vehicle never showed any smoke, nor unusual noises, driving performance affect my safety in concern. I request Lexus advisor to have a diagnostic done because it had not been driving smoothly. Advisor Jamie message me saying Tech had basically check the vehicle, system pressurized as it should be so if there were leaks they would be visible, basically Tech wasn't getting no read to the problem. I suggest to have him test drive and she said he Tech would drive vehicle and get back. I researched recalls with my vehicle and saw Fuel Pump customer support program for failing fuel pumps recall as with my Lexus 300NX. I told Advisor about the recall and sent her the recall notice online. Advisor looked into the fuel pump recall in our telephone conversation, confirmed the fuel pump was recall n would be replaced. I told her i saw where the failing fuel pump with my Lexus online described what my vehicle was doing. Advisor now said car coolant fans/etc needed to be replace, I didn't understand this when I didn't have a cooling problem before coming there. Advisor tried to pressure me into the coolant fans/ module issues before doing my failing fuel pump, suddenly. I felt they were now lying about fans . I told her i would be in the next day, get a loaner. Next day, i was team up on at lexus by 3 Reps minus the Advisor who was there. Denied me the free fuel pump replacement, pressure to let them fix fans/module 1st , I refused, felt deception practice.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
In June 2022, the vehicle exhibited abnormal engine behavior, specifically fluctuating revolutions per minute (RPM), while at a complete stop, creating a risk of engine stall. Newport Beach Lexus dealership opted to replace the fuel injectors and gaskets as a corrective measure. Previous invoices also show that there were concerns related to fuel equipment prior to this incident. Subsequently, in December 2024, while traveling with my child on [XXX] near Barstow, California, the vehicle experienced severe shaking during an ascent, leading to a temporary loss of power while driving. I continued to drive after a brief respite due to the unsafe, remote location in the desert. Upon arrival in Las Vegas, the vehicle was inspected by a Lexus dealership, and they were unable to identify the issue at that time. In January 2025, the vehicle’s check engine light came on and further inspections at Lexus South County revealed that the vehicle was unsafe to operate without replacing the fuel pump. The dealership indicated that the vehicle would not be released unless this repair was completed and the fuel pump was replaced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified a safety recall (NHTSA Campaign ID 20V682000) for these vehicles due to a defect in the low-pressure fuel pump. The defect could lead to engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. Affected vehicles were equipped with a fuel pump that may fail, causing the engine to stall while driving. Toyota and Lexus dealers were instructed to replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one at no cost to the vehicle owner. These events suggest a potential failure to adequately address a known safety defect, leading to compromised vehicle performance and increased risk to occupants. Failure to add this vehicle to the recall list created an ongoing unsafe situation for my family and also compromised the health of the vehicles’ engine and other parts that rely on the fuel pump. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
After 45 minutes in stop-and-go traffic the brake pedal went to the floor four times, the Brake Override System (BOS) failed, throwing the shifter into Park failed, and we hit the car in front of us. No warning sounds typical for this car sounded and no lights appeared on the dash. Thankfully, we were only moving at 5 mph which I didn't think qualified as a "crash" but there was indeed a collision. No one was hurt. Besides my wife and myself there were two backseat passengers who also saw my efforts to stop the car. We had the car towed to Lexus of Santa Monica. Unsurprisingly, Ronald Inton with Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) indicated in his letter to us that Lexus inspectors seeing our crumpled front license plate and knowing of the failure of the BOS found nothing wrong with the car, but had not driven it under stop-and-go conditions for 45 minutes as we had. The clear failure of the BOS to prevent the collision or even warn of the impending collision was effectively ignored my Mr. Inton. Our full correspondence with him is attached. Both my wife and I loved driving this car but it is a potentially deadly safety hazard and given that TMNA can't fix it, should be destroyed.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
In June 2022, the vehicle exhibited abnormal engine behavior, specifically fluctuating revolutions per minute (RPM), while at a complete stop, creating a risk of engine stall. Newport Beach Lexus dealership opted to replace the fuel injectors and gaskets as a corrective measure. Previous invoices also show that there were concerns related to fuel equipment prior to this incident. Subsequently, in December 2024, while traveling with my child on [XXX] near Barstow, California, the vehicle experienced severe shaking during an ascent, leading to a temporary loss of power while driving. I continued to drive after a brief respite due to the unsafe, remote location in the desert. Upon arrival in Las Vegas, the vehicle was inspected by a Lexus dealership, and they were unable to identify the issue at that time. In January 2025, the vehicle’s check engine light came on and further inspections at Lexus South County revealed that the vehicle was unsafe to operate without replacing the fuel pump. The dealership indicated that the vehicle would not be released unless this repair was completed and the fuel pump was replaced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified a safety recall (NHTSA Campaign ID 20V682000) for these vehicles due to a defect in the low-pressure fuel pump. The defect could lead to engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. Affected vehicles were equipped with a fuel pump that may fail, causing the engine to stall while driving. Toyota and Lexus dealers were instructed to replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one at no cost to the vehicle owner. These events suggest a potential failure to adequately address a known safety defect, leading to compromised vehicle performance and increased risk to occupants. Failure to add this vehicle to the recall list created an ongoing unsafe situation for my family and also compromised the health of the vehicles’ engine and other parts that rely on the fuel pump. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
1. Steering wheel is malfunctioned. Car is available for inspection upon request. 2. Since steering wheel is hard to maneuver, It can put other at risk if unable handle the wheel strongly to do the proper turns. 3. Vehicle has been inspected by the dealership as recommended by private shops, however the issue has not been confirmed or addressed by the dealership. 4. There is no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms indication that there was a problem. Problem appears first time on March 2022 when was reported to the dealership. As of today, problem is getting worse.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
After 45 minutes in stop-and-go traffic the brake pedal went to the floor four times, the Brake Override System (BOS) failed, throwing the shifter into Park failed, and we hit the car in front of us. No warning sounds typical for this car sounded and no lights appeared on the dash. Thankfully, we were only moving at 5 mph which I didn't think qualified as a "crash" but there was indeed a collision. No one was hurt. Besides my wife and myself there were two backseat passengers who also saw my efforts to stop the car. We had the car towed to Lexus of Santa Monica. Unsurprisingly, Ronald Inton with Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) indicated in his letter to us that Lexus inspectors seeing our crumpled front license plate and knowing of the failure of the BOS found nothing wrong with the car, but had not driven it under stop-and-go conditions for 45 minutes as we had. The clear failure of the BOS to prevent the collision or even warn of the impending collision was effectively ignored my Mr. Inton. Our full correspondence with him is attached. Both my wife and I loved driving this car but it is a potentially deadly safety hazard and given that TMNA can't fix it, should be destroyed.
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus NX. The contact stated while coasting into the home driveway at 5 MPH without foot-on acceleration, the vehicle automatically accelerated at high speed into the garage. The contact tried to use the brake pedal to stop; however, the brakes were inoperative. The contact had to shift the gear into the park for it to completely stop. The vehicle crashed into his garage and basketball hoop. The entire front of the vehicle was damaged. The RPM was still running high to 7500 after shifting to park in order to bring the vehicle to a stop. The pre-collision system feature did not engage. The vehicle was not diagnosed yet or repaired, The contact had minor pain in the left shoulder; no medical treatments. The manufacturer has not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving regularly on the highway my sunroof spontaneously shattered. There were no warning signs and no visible debris on the road that could have hit it. This is the SECOND instance of this happening with this vehicle (2018 Lexus NX 300) within three years. The sudden loud sound is dangerous as it can cause someone to jerk the steering wheel. Also, if the sunroof is open, glass could rain down on the occupants of the vehicle. My sunroof was closed at the time, but my vehicle littered glass over the roadway while trying to exit safely. The dealership refuses to take responsibility for the manufacturing defects in their sunroofs.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
My cars engine has stopped three times on the highway in a six month span - almost causing accidents. My car has been seen twice by Lexus dealerships and there has yet to be an exact cause of this malfunction and no effort made by Lexus to remedy the situation.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Foam is breaking off of the shell. Reached out to Chicco and issue was not resolved nor replaced. This seems to be a reoccurring problem with this car seat. For it to have an 8 year lifespan, it hardly lasts 2 years before Chicco deems it unsafe and needs replaced on my dime. Highly frustrated about this product.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
We have taken our vehicle, for this unusual drivers side, bottom door - interior beam that has sucked in like a dent and it's stainless steal beam that shouldn't do this, The Lexus dealership has no idea for the cause and we are concern if we have an accident then if this side door beam will be safe to protect the driver ? There has been no accident to this Lexus we own, we have taken this issue to several dealership but no one is saying on writing that we are safe inside this vehicle if the beam bottom Interior metal is sucking in safe or not if an actual accident side door impact happens ? No one still inside the Lexus Dealership or the Lexus Headquarters Consumer Care has been able to clearly made us understand what has caused this sinking steel beam to suck in like a dent ? [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .