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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Lexus RX350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
22%of 18 total for the year
Median mileage
5,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Lexus RX350, 22% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 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.

“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.. …”

NHTSA complaint #11413511, filed 2021-04, 100 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11377504, filed 2020-12, 12,000 miles

“1.constant jerking sensation occurs before vehicle shifts into lower gears while at relatively low speeds and throttle settings (25-45 MPH, stop and go city driving, maintaining speed). 2.when minimal increase in power is needed or a mild grade is encountered, additional throttle pressure seems only to result in loss of power until the transmissions shifts into some lower gear. The vehicle then accelerates too rapidly, followed by the need to reduce throttle pressure ' or apply brakes - which in turn causes the transmission to shift back to a higher gear. The sequence then repeats itself. …”

NHTSA complaint #11152280, filed 2018-11

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019413%
2018422%
2017613%
2016712%
201525%
2014320%
201347%
2012412%
2011620%
201077%
200988%
200876%
200795%

Other parts of the 2018 Lexus RX350

Fuel system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Lexus RX350

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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