Engine
Filed Sep 29, 2026
Car dead stopped two times in the middle of roads. No warning. No signal. Just hard stopped.
- NHTSA ID
- 11767867
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2026
2018 Lexus RX
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.
26
Latest Sep 29, 2026
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.
0
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.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Lexus RX, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and engine categories. 27 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 2 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 3 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 4 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 5 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 6 |
| Jan 2024 | 2 | 8 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 9 |
| May 2024 | 3 | 12 |
| Oct 2024 | 2 | 14 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 15 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 16 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 17 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 18 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 19 |
| Sep 2025 | 2 | 21 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 22 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | 23 |
| Apr 2026 | 1 | 24 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 25 |
| Sep 2026 | 1 | 26 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes621.4%
- Driver assistance414.3%
- Engine414.3%
- Interior & seats310.7%
- Electrical310.7%
- Fuel system310.7%
- Visibility27.1%
- Steering13.6%
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
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Airbags
Filed Aug 20, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported
On XXX, our 2018 Lexus RX 350L was involved in a high-speed collision in [XXX]. The vehicle struck a Jersey/concrete barrier with the left front of the vehicle. The collision caused extensive damage to the left-front corner of the vehicle. The left-front wheel and suspension were severely displaced, with substantial damage extending through the left-front body structure toward the driver's door area. The vehicle was subsequently declared a total loss by the insurance company. Despite the severity of the collision, none of the vehicle's airbags deployed, including the driver's frontal airbag and driver's side curtain airbag. I am reporting this because I am concerned that the Supplemental Restraint System may not have operated as designed. I am not in a position to determine whether the impact met Lexus's deployment criteria and am requesting that the non-deployment be reviewed as a potential vehicle safety issue. The vehicle currently remains available in salvage custody. The insurance company has been asked to preserve the vehicle so that the Event Data Recorder and/or airbag control module can be examined if necessary. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11758264
- Incident
- Aug 10, 2026
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 28, 2026
I was starting to lose control of the car and took it to the dealership for a check . The car has only 52000 miles and the Ball Joints and the sway bar links are leaking grease according to the dealer
- NHTSA ID
- 11734361
- Incident
- Apr 13, 2026
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 29, 2026
1. Check engine light comes on. 2. Intelligent collision system (ICS) plashing while driving
- NHTSA ID
- 11727736
- Incident
- Mar 28, 2026
Filed Feb 3, 2026
The 12.3-inch display of the instrument panel is blank at startup. Operating the vehicle with this display blank reduces the ability to see certain malfunction indicators. If malfunctions occur while driving, continuing to drive could lead to an increased risk of a crash or an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- NHTSA ID
- 11715409
- Incident
- Feb 2, 2026
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2025
Engine block #1 misfire , 02/gasoline ratio level problem
- NHTSA ID
- 11687357
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2023
Visibility
Filed Sep 4, 2025
I have a panoramic sunroof and the sunshade retracts when the switch is pressed but the shade bunches up and stops before fully retracting. It appears from online searches that it’s a well known problem with Lexus and can result in a very costly repair that’s caused in no part by the owners of the vehicles. A recall of this manufacturing defect needs to be issued.
- NHTSA ID
- 11685176
- Incident
- Sep 4, 2025
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that upon arriving to the residence and parking the vehicle, the front driver’s side door failed to open while pulling on the interior door handle. The contact rolled down the window and was able to open the front driver’s side door while pulling the exterior door handle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side door handle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Lexus Special Service Campaign Number: 20LC02. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,518.
- NHTSA ID
- 11677722
- Incident
- Jul 30, 2025
- Mileage
- 47,518 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
L-SB-0030-24 Rev2
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor 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 and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year 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-0043-23 Rev1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
L-SB-0017-19 Rev1
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.
L-SB-0017-19 Rev1
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.
L-SB-0030-24 Rev1
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor 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 and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year 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-0030-24 Rev1
STRUCTURE:BODY
Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor 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 and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year 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.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 60.6 |
| 2025 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 64.2 |
| 2024 | 62 | 4 | 0 | 56.3 |
| 2023 | 62 | 3 | 0 | 58.5 |
| 2022 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 2021 | 71 | 1 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2020 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 53.7 |
| 2019 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 55.1 |
| 2018Viewing | 26 | 0 | 0 | 47.8 |
| 2017 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 51.1 |
| 2016 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 37.0 |
| 2015 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 53.8 |
| 2014 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 53.6 |
| 2013 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 54.5 |
| 2012 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 41.9 |
| 2011 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 53.4 |
| 2010 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 47.9 |
| 2009 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 38.9 |
| 2008 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 42.9 |
| 2007 | 58 | 0 | 1 | 38.0 |
| 2006 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 52.0 |
| 2005 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 50.6 |
| 2004 | 40 | 1 | 1 | 48.1 |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 52.3 |
| 2001 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 32.3 |
| 2000 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 34.1 |
| 1999 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 33.0 |
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.