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Lexus LSModel year report

2018 Lexus LS Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
8,300miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid RWD · 25 city / 33 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2018 Lexus LS. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine (3) and other or unknown (3). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,300 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins 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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The collision avoidance system blows fuses and stops working, but the light on the dash continues to indicate that everything is working. In other words, there is no way to learn that the collision system is offline unless you're willing to simulate a near certain collision (which I did with the dealer in my car and he finally acknowledged the problem), or having an actual accident. This is clearly a design flaw. If the fuse is blown, obviously the system should show an error when it's engaged - not a green indicator.”

NHTSA complaint #11209751, filed 2019-05

Engine: “At 55,310 miles the car stalled without warning while driving at low speed. The car was towed to a Lexus dealership and it was reported by the dealer after inspection that the engine had seized. The vehicle is available for inspection. The motor failed while driving the vehicle. The V35A-FTS engine has numerous reports of main bearing failure and is subject to a recall for other models that have this engine, however, the Lexus LS500 model is not included in the recall despite having the same/similar catastrophic engine failure with low miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #11751587, filed 2026-07

Other or unknown: “Recently I purchased a CPO Lexus 2018 LS 500. I realized I am not able to enter Coordinate in the GPS Navigation system. Lexus took away the most import tool (The coordinate Entry) in navigation system away, this make the navigation system useless and easy to get lost when cell service not available especially in and around State and Nation Park area.”

NHTSA complaint #11582292, filed 2024-04

Wheels: “I am filing this complaint today with Lexus corporation because both my dealership, new country Lexus of latham, and Lexus corporation have chosen to ignore the danger they have placed myself and my family. I have purchased three Lexus' over the years from new country Lexus and am very disappointed in the service from both my dealer and Lexus corporation. I am disappointed that new country and Lexus corporation would put me and my family at risk of injury and/or death. Particularly in light of the fact that I have reached out twice to my dealership and three times to Lexus corporation. …”

NHTSA complaint #11257525, filed 2019-09, 8,300 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,000 and 22,087 miles.

60%0–1020%10–2520%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 8,300 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20194202020222024202520264
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Lexus LS 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
LS 500h RWD3.5L 6-cyl · hybridCVT253328$2,950
LS 500h AWD3.5L 6-cyl · hybridCVT233126$3,150

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 LS → · 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. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 60 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus LS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20215—1—28—Not enough data
2018158,3002—28—Rising
20165122,0000—20—Not enough data
20136—0—20—Not enough data
2012532,5000—20—Not enough data
20119135,0000—20—Not enough data
2010840,0000———Not enough data
20091358,0000———Not enough data
20084375,0001——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20074599,0901——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20061737,9851—19—Falling
2005520,1751———Not enough data
2004837,9191———Not enough data
2002778,6700———Not enough data

All Lexus LS model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Lexus LS have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2018 Lexus LS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Lexus LS is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine with 3.

Has the 2018 Lexus LS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Lexus LS get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Lexus LS (LS 500h, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Lexus LS reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,300 miles and the middle half falls between 7,000 and 22,087 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. 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.