Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 24 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.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| 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 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
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.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
1. Check engine light comes on. 2. Intelligent collision system (ICS) plashing while driving
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.
Engine block #1 misfire , 02/gasoline ratio level problem
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.
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.
On our 2018 Lexus RX 350 L, the left front interior door handle broke and we had to roll the window down and open the door from the outside. I learned that there was a recall - Lexus Special Service Campaign 20LC02 but our Lexus VIN was not listed. Our Lexus Model/year was manufactured in 05/18 and that was within the production period of the recall, April 2015 to September 2018. I believe that Lexus not including our suv's VIN in the recall was an oversight. As a result, I reached out to Smithown Lexus in NY and they did not honor the recall and wanted $219 + tax just diagnose the problem. I also called Lexus Guest Experience Center at 1-800-255-3987 and thety also did not honor the recall. Since, I purchased and installed the door handle. Is there a way I can get get reimbursed for parts and labor of $450?
iOS lite has come on for the second time. Sensor had to be replaced early this year. Cost $500.
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 66.9 |
| 2024 | 54 | 4 | 0 | 58.2 |
| 2023 | 55 | 3 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 2022 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 50.5 |
| 2021 | 69 | 1 | 0 | 54.7 |
| 2020 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 54.9 |
| 2019 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 56.6 |
| 2018Viewing | 24 | 0 | 0 | 45.5 |
| 2017 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2016 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 42.2 |
| 2015 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 53.8 |
| 2014 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 50.6 |
| 2013 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 57.2 |
| 2012 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 41.8 |
| 2011 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 55.4 |
| 2010 | 76 | 0 | 0 | 48.0 |
| 2009 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 40.9 |
| 2008 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 44.6 |
| 2007 | 58 | 0 | 1 | 40.6 |
| 2006 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 52.3 |
| 2005 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 57.4 |
| 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.