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Lexus IS 300Model year report

2018 Lexus IS 300 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
7,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 22 city / 32 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Lexus IS 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2018 Lexus IS 300. The part named most often is fuel system, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by body and structure (2) and engine (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 7,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 116 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “When I accelerate from a stop or while moving on a roadway, the engine seems to stall. I'm not talking about the normal turbo spooling stall. It lasts for about 3 to 5 full seconds. When you need power to prevent an accident, you can't afford that time lag, as it could cause your death. The dealer told me that Lexus says it's normal, they all do it. I don't feel any manufacturer would deliberately build and sell a vehicle that would put the occupants in danger of possible death. …”

NHTSA complaint #11149541, filed 2018-11, 240 miles

Body and structure: “Driving on 285 east in atlanta ga 11/29/2018 when my Lexus IS 300 sunroof exploded. All windows were closed temperature was 37 degrees. It sound like a gun went off. Glass fell from the roof and piece of the glass went in my left eye. I made appointment for the eye doctor for 11/30/2018”

NHTSA complaint #11154859, filed 2018-11, 7,000 miles

Other or unknown: “I was driving down the highway at 70 mph and it was windy at the same time. Out of no where my sunroof window exploded shattering the glass. Luckily I usually keep the cover close. It sounded a gun shot that went off. There was nothing around me that would come down and break the window of the sunroof. It just happened out of no where.”

NHTSA complaint #11460066, filed 2022-04

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 240 and 15,000 miles.

67%0–1033%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 7,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201822020220222
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Lexus IS 300. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
IS300 · sedan AWD★★★★★4 / 4555 · 9.5% risk
IS300 · sedan RWD★★★★★4 / 4555 · 9.5% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Lexus IS 300 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
IS 300 RWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic223226$3,150
IS 300 AWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192622$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Lexus IS 300 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 116 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 116 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus IS 300

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019719,3002524—Not enough data
201867,0001526—Not enough data
20041956,7000—18—Stable
20032150,3000—18—Stable
20022830,7100—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20012765,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lexus IS 300 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Lexus IS 300 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2018 Lexus IS 300 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Lexus IS 300 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by body and structure with 2.

Has the 2018 Lexus IS 300 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2018 Lexus IS 300 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Lexus IS 300 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Lexus IS 300 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Lexus IS 300 (IS 300, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 22 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Lexus IS 300 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 7,000 miles and the middle half falls between 240 and 15,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.