RoadVitals

2018 Lexus RX350 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
18
Latest Apr 23, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 Lexus RX350, 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

  • Powertrain (other)415.4%
  • Brakes311.5%
  • Driver assistance311.5%
  • Engine311.5%
  • Visibility27.7%
  • Exterior lighting13.8%
  • Body & structure13.8%
  • Airbags13.8%

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.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PETAL ONE OF THREE THINGS HAPPEN. 1. NORMAL ACCELERATION WHICH YOU EXPECT AFTER 60 YEARS OF DRIVING AND WHICH WE OBTAIN FROM A 2014 LEXUS RX350 THAT WE OWN. 2. HESITATION OF BETWEEN 1 AND 5 SECONDS BEFORE ACCELERATION BEGINS. 3 EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION ( SURG OF ACCELERATION MUCH MORE THAN EXPECTED). THIS EXCESS ACCELERATION MAY HAPPEN AFTER THE HESITATION OR THERE COULD BE "NORMAL" ACCELERATION AFTER THE HESITATION AND HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED.. THE HESITATION AND EXCESS ACCELERATION CAN BE FROM A STOPPED POSITION IE STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHILE MOVING AND NORMAL SPEEDS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT HESITATION AT THE 60 TO 65 MPH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAY. AT 70 MPH EVERYTHING SEEMS TO WORK AS EXPECTED. THE SURGING AND HESITATING SEEMS TO BE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND AND WHEN MAKING TURNS IN CITY STREETS AND MOVING UP OR DOWN HILLS AND IN PARKING LOTS WHEN MOVING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, BUT IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS UP TO 65 MPH. THE CARS HAS ACCELERATED WITH OUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR - THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DELAYED ACCELERATION AFTER PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR A HALF BLOCK BEFORE. THIS HAPPENED WITH A LEXUS REPRESENTATIVE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME - I WAS DRIVING SO HE COULD NOT TELL IF THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED OR IF I ACCELERATED. STARTING IN EARLY 2019 WE HAVE TOLD LEXUS WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED( TWICE YEARLY THAT THE CAR BEHAVED IN THIS MANNER. EACH TIME THAT HAVE TOLD US THEY DID NOT RE-CREATE THE DESCRIBED BEHAVIOR AND THE CAR WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA ID 11413511 · filed Apr 23, 2021

I TRIED ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY (PCH IN SANTA MONICA, CA) WHILE TRAVELING FORWARD AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THIS IS THE FORTH TIME THERE HAS BEEN A HESITATION IN ACCELERATION SINCE OWNING THE CAR, BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON MY DASH. THE MESSAGE STATED THAT THERE WAS "AN OBSTRUCTION WITH THE PEDAL AND ACCELERATION WAS RETARDED." I LATER LOOKED DOWN AT THE PEDALS FELT AROUND THE THEM, BUT FOUND NOTHING OBSTRUCTING. AT THE TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN A QUARTER TANK OF GAS BUT NOT LOW ENOUGH FOR THE LOW FUEL WARNING TO COME ON. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 15 MORE MILES - THE LOW FUEL WARNING CAME ON. I HAVE ALWAYS PUT PREMIUM FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AND MY WIFE DOESN'T PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS RECENTLY PERFORMED PERTAINING TO THE FUEL PUMP AT THE DEALER - PERTAINING TO LOW

NHTSA ID 11377504 · filed Dec 2, 2020
All 8 reports naming fuel system

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PETAL ONE OF THREE THINGS HAPPEN. 1. NORMAL ACCELERATION WHICH YOU EXPECT AFTER 60 YEARS OF DRIVING AND WHICH WE OBTAIN FROM A 2014 LEXUS RX350 THAT WE OWN. 2. HESITATION OF BETWEEN 1 AND 5 SECONDS BEFORE ACCELERATION BEGINS. 3 EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION ( SURG OF ACCELERATION MUCH MORE THAN EXPECTED). THIS EXCESS ACCELERATION MAY HAPPEN AFTER THE HESITATION OR THERE COULD BE "NORMAL" ACCELERATION AFTER THE HESITATION AND HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED.. THE HESITATION AND EXCESS ACCELERATION CAN BE FROM A STOPPED POSITION IE STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHILE MOVING AND NORMAL SPEEDS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT HESITATION AT THE 60 TO 65 MPH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAY. AT 70 MPH EVERYTHING SEEMS TO WORK AS EXPECTED. THE SURGING AND HESITATING SEEMS TO BE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND AND WHEN MAKING TURNS IN CITY STREETS AND MOVING UP OR DOWN HILLS AND IN PARKING LOTS WHEN MOVING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, BUT IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS UP TO 65 MPH. THE CARS HAS ACCELERATED WITH OUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR - THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DELAYED ACCELERATION AFTER PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR A HALF BLOCK BEFORE. THIS HAPPENED WITH A LEXUS REPRESENTATIVE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME - I WAS DRIVING SO HE COULD NOT TELL IF THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED OR IF I ACCELERATED. STARTING IN EARLY 2019 WE HAVE TOLD LEXUS WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED( TWICE YEARLY THAT THE CAR BEHAVED IN THIS MANNER. EACH TIME THAT HAVE TOLD US THEY DID NOT RE-CREATE THE DESCRIBED BEHAVIOR AND THE CAR WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA ID 11413511 · filed Apr 23, 2021

I TRIED ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY (PCH IN SANTA MONICA, CA) WHILE TRAVELING FORWARD AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THIS IS THE FORTH TIME THERE HAS BEEN A HESITATION IN ACCELERATION SINCE OWNING THE CAR, BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON MY DASH. THE MESSAGE STATED THAT THERE WAS "AN OBSTRUCTION WITH THE PEDAL AND ACCELERATION WAS RETARDED." I LATER LOOKED DOWN AT THE PEDALS FELT AROUND THE THEM, BUT FOUND NOTHING OBSTRUCTING. AT THE TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN A QUARTER TANK OF GAS BUT NOT LOW ENOUGH FOR THE LOW FUEL WARNING TO COME ON. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 15 MORE MILES - THE LOW FUEL WARNING CAME ON. I HAVE ALWAYS PUT PREMIUM FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AND MY WIFE DOESN'T PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS RECENTLY PERFORMED PERTAINING TO THE FUEL PUMP AT THE DEALER - PERTAINING TO LOW

NHTSA ID 11377504 · filed Dec 2, 2020

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AFTER SWITCHING INTO LEFT LANE SAW BRAKE LIGHTS AHEAD AND STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL. HEARD SLIGHT POP SOUND, BRAKE PEDAL WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FLOOR. CAR DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. SWERVED TO LEFT TO AVOID DIRECTLY HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME BUT HIT JERSEY WALL AND THE CAR. MY CAR KEPT GOING ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED YARDS BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED. CAR WAS TOTALED.WITHOUT FUNCTIONING BRAKES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL OR FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING WERE USELESS.

NHTSA ID 11373532 · filed Nov 6, 2020

ON APRIL 15 2020, WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A SPROUTS SUPERMARKET AT 12500 WESTHEIMER RD., HOUSTON, TEXAS 77077. THE LEXUS RX350 (2018) FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO A LARGE BUILDING SUPPORT COLUMN WHICH DID SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE LEXUS AND TO THE COLUMN. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR AND CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE EMERGENCY CRASH SYSTEM. THIS FEATURE DID NOT WORK TO STOP THE CAR FROM HITTING THE BUILDING. IN THE PAST IT HAS STOPPED THE CAR BUT ONLY MOST OFTEN IT DOES NOT WORK...NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WERE ANY PEOPLE ON THE PARKING AREA AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID 11321297 · filed Apr 16, 2020

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PETAL ONE OF THREE THINGS HAPPEN. 1. NORMAL ACCELERATION WHICH YOU EXPECT AFTER 60 YEARS OF DRIVING AND WHICH WE OBTAIN FROM A 2014 LEXUS RX350 THAT WE OWN. 2. HESITATION OF BETWEEN 1 AND 5 SECONDS BEFORE ACCELERATION BEGINS. 3 EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION ( SURG OF ACCELERATION MUCH MORE THAN EXPECTED). THIS EXCESS ACCELERATION MAY HAPPEN AFTER THE HESITATION OR THERE COULD BE "NORMAL" ACCELERATION AFTER THE HESITATION AND HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED.. THE HESITATION AND EXCESS ACCELERATION CAN BE FROM A STOPPED POSITION IE STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHILE MOVING AND NORMAL SPEEDS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT HESITATION AT THE 60 TO 65 MPH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAY. AT 70 MPH EVERYTHING SEEMS TO WORK AS EXPECTED. THE SURGING AND HESITATING SEEMS TO BE AT LOWER SPEEDS AND AND WHEN MAKING TURNS IN CITY STREETS AND MOVING UP OR DOWN HILLS AND IN PARKING LOTS WHEN MOVING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, BUT IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS UP TO 65 MPH. THE CARS HAS ACCELERATED WITH OUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR - THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DELAYED ACCELERATION AFTER PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR A HALF BLOCK BEFORE. THIS HAPPENED WITH A LEXUS REPRESENTATIVE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME - I WAS DRIVING SO HE COULD NOT TELL IF THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED OR IF I ACCELERATED. STARTING IN EARLY 2019 WE HAVE TOLD LEXUS WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED( TWICE YEARLY THAT THE CAR BEHAVED IN THIS MANNER. EACH TIME THAT HAVE TOLD US THEY DID NOT RE-CREATE THE DESCRIBED BEHAVIOR AND THE CAR WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA ID 11413511 · filed Apr 23, 2021

ON APRIL 15 2020, WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A SPROUTS SUPERMARKET AT 12500 WESTHEIMER RD., HOUSTON, TEXAS 77077. THE LEXUS RX350 (2018) FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO A LARGE BUILDING SUPPORT COLUMN WHICH DID SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE LEXUS AND TO THE COLUMN. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR AND CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE EMERGENCY CRASH SYSTEM. THIS FEATURE DID NOT WORK TO STOP THE CAR FROM HITTING THE BUILDING. IN THE PAST IT HAS STOPPED THE CAR BUT ONLY MOST OFTEN IT DOES NOT WORK...NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WERE ANY PEOPLE ON THE PARKING AREA AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID 11321297 · filed Apr 16, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I TRIED ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY (PCH IN SANTA MONICA, CA) WHILE TRAVELING FORWARD AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THIS IS THE FORTH TIME THERE HAS BEEN A HESITATION IN ACCELERATION SINCE OWNING THE CAR, BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON MY DASH. THE MESSAGE STATED THAT THERE WAS "AN OBSTRUCTION WITH THE PEDAL AND ACCELERATION WAS RETARDED." I LATER LOOKED DOWN AT THE PEDALS FELT AROUND THE THEM, BUT FOUND NOTHING OBSTRUCTING. AT THE TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN A QUARTER TANK OF GAS BUT NOT LOW ENOUGH FOR THE LOW FUEL WARNING TO COME ON. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 15 MORE MILES - THE LOW FUEL WARNING CAME ON. I HAVE ALWAYS PUT PREMIUM FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AND MY WIFE DOESN'T PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS RECENTLY PERFORMED PERTAINING TO THE FUEL PUMP AT THE DEALER - PERTAINING TO LOW

NHTSA ID 11377504 · filed Dec 2, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED KEYES LEXUS (5905 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91401, (818) 538-2990) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO START THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL THERE WAS RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 21,500. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11325557 · filed May 22, 2020

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN I-75 ON A VERY RAINY DOWNPOUR. SHE TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPERS DID NOT WORK. SHE ARRIVED HOME AND TOOK THE CAR THE NEXT DAY TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP. THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE. THERE SHOULD BE A FAIL SAFE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. OF ALL THE CARS WE HAVE OWNED..........THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.(INCLUDING A 2007 LEXUS WE ALSO DRIVE).

NHTSA ID 11362565 · filed Oct 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS RX350. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 75 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S AND REAR PASSENGER'S WINDOWS EXPLODED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LEXUS OF PEMBROKE PINES DEALER, LOCATED AT 16150 PINES BLVD, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33027, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLORIDA STATE PATROL FILED A REPORT WHICH STATED THAT THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATION WOULD BE OPENED AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN FOUR TO SIX WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE RELEASED FROM LEASE OBLIGATIONS.*JB

NHTSA ID 11306298 · filed Jan 31, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS PROJECTED APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE ANYTHING CLOSE UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEWPORT LEXUS (949-482-6122, LOCATED AT 3901 MACARTHUR BLVD, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE WHO STATED THAT THE MATTER WOULD BE RESEARCHED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

NHTSA ID 11281377 · filed Nov 20, 2019

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON APRIL 15 2020, WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A SPROUTS SUPERMARKET AT 12500 WESTHEIMER RD., HOUSTON, TEXAS 77077. THE LEXUS RX350 (2018) FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO A LARGE BUILDING SUPPORT COLUMN WHICH DID SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE LEXUS AND TO THE COLUMN. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR AND CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE EMERGENCY CRASH SYSTEM. THIS FEATURE DID NOT WORK TO STOP THE CAR FROM HITTING THE BUILDING. IN THE PAST IT HAS STOPPED THE CAR BUT ONLY MOST OFTEN IT DOES NOT WORK...NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WERE ANY PEOPLE ON THE PARKING AREA AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID 11321297 · filed Apr 16, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I GOT INTO ACCIDENT AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED EVEN AT HIGH IMPACT AND OTHE OTHE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER.

NHTSA ID 11286397 · filed Dec 2, 2019

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

Data on this page last refreshed .