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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Lexus ES Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
1about this part
Share
20%of 5 total for the year
Median mileage
200miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Lexus ES, 20% of the 5 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 200 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The contact owns a 2018 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The driver was able to drive to the residence. Upon test-driving the vehicle, the contact noticed that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound while driving the following day, and the vehicle later became undrivable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11702496, filed 2025-12, 200 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023110%
2019515%
2018120%
2016111%
201313%
201025%
200811%
200743%
200618%
20052441%
2004213%
2003522%
2002519%
2000117%

Other parts of the 2018 Lexus ES

Air bags
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Lexus ES

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology