Model-year record

2018 Lexus ES
See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.
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Complaints filed
15
Reports to NHTSA, 2018
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
32
EPA estimate
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (13% of 15 reports), followed by engine (13%).
+ 2 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 15 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11296702, ODI 11676540.
Individual complaint reports(15)
Showing the 15 most recent reportsPower TrainDec 2025 · ODI 11702496Details +Close −
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. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200.
- Reported
- Dec 2025
- Incident date
- Dec 2018
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsJul 2025 · ODI 11676540 · crash · 2 injuriesDetails +Close −
On 7/25/25, I was rear-ended while driving my 2018 Lexus ES 300h with my child in the front seat. Despite the force of impact and resulting injuries, none of the airbags deployed. Moments after the crash, a “SRS Airbag System Malfunction” message appeared on my dashboard. That message is now gone, but airbag and seatbelt lights remain active. I suffered knee injuries from contact with the dashboard, and my child sustained a busted lip and head pain. I’m concerned that a malfunction in the airbag or supplemental restraint system contributed to these injuries. I have video evidence of the incident and in-cabin alerts. I was later advised by Toyota not to drive the vehicle until an inspection is completed, which raises additional concerns about the vehicle’s safety system. I’m reporting this because I believe this malfunction may pose a risk to others, and it should be investigated as a potential defect.
- Reported
- Jul 2025
- Incident date
- Jul 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Crash 2 injuries
TiresMar 2025 · ODI 11649758Details +Close −
27 r
- Reported
- Mar 2025
- Incident date
- Jan 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Fuel/Propulsion SystemSep 2023 · ODI 11545990Details +Close −
This has occurred since I purchased the vehicle new. Might happen a couple of times per month. If I slightly back off from acceleration just for a split second and then decide that I can proceed, when I go back to accelerating, the engine will have no power for 2-3 seconds and then will finally return to normal function. At the same time for seconds only, a message will appear on the dash stating that the brake and accelerator have been depressed at the same time. This all happens in a matter of seconds. And the brake has never been touched! Dealer repeating tells me that can NOT happen unless i hit the brakes, and that I must get confused with the pedals...REALLY !!! Well it has happened maybe 25-30 times At the same time I have near heart failure wondering if the merging or head on traffic is going to smash into me because my acceleration has failed !!! THIS SURE SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO THE EXITING FUEL PUMP RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE MODEL, HOWEVER MY VIN # IS NOT LISTED. If it isn't that, then I guess it would be electronically related. This a serious danger that one doesn't know when it is going to strike next and the dealer understandably can't REPLICATE the acceleration failure. Me and my family needs some safety protection !!! HELP
- Reported
- Sep 2023
- Incident date
- Sep 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
StructureAug 2023 · ODI 11536846Details +Close −
The Heat Shield on Exhaust becomes loose, rattles and comes off while driving. Danger to to other drives behind me. See the number of complaints over here - https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-3rd-gen-2010-2015/863952-exhaust-heat-shield-loose-and-rattling.html
- Reported
- Aug 2023
- Incident date
- Aug 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Vehicle Speed ControlJun 2023 · ODI 11525958Details +Close −
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn into a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration driving to the opposite side of the parking lot before the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that moments later the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 66,150.
- Reported
- Jun 2023
- Incident date
- Mar 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
StructureOct 2020 · ODI 11363483 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +Close −
I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND THERE WERE A COUPLE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE LIGHT WAS RED. I WAS A CAR LENGTH AND A HALF AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I SAW THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME PROCEED TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF HIS BRAKES, SO I THOUGHT HE WAS MOVING FORWARD AS WELL. SO THEN I DECIDED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 5-10 MPH. BY THE TIME I REALIZED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WASN'T MOVING FORWARD, MY CAR HIT HIS TRAIL-HITCH" (NOT HIS BACK BUMPER) AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED, BUT I COULD DRIVE IT FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE ASSIST OF MY 2018 LEXUS ES350 DID NOT ENGAGE. I THINK THE BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTION ON MY VEHICLE WAS FAULTY AND IT SHOULD'VE BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED, AS IT WOULD'VE STOPPED ME FROM GETTING INTO A CAR ACCIDENT IN THE FIRST PLACE HAD IT ENGAGED AND WORKED PROPERLY.
- Reported
- Oct 2020
- Incident date
- Feb 2020
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Crash 1 injuries
EngineSep 2020 · ODI 11360612Details +Close −
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 52 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTOFF AND APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JOHNSON LEXUS LOCATED AT 5839 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. INFORMATION DOWN LOADED FROM THE VEHICLE?S COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DEPRESSING BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. *LN *TR
- Reported
- Sep 2020
- Incident date
- Sep 2020
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsJan 2020 · ODI 11296702 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +Close −
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 LEXUS ES300H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, UNABLE TO SEE VERY WELL DURING NIGHT TIME, THE CONTACT WENT OFF THE PAVEMENT AND ONTO THE GRASS. THE CONTACT WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GUARDRAIL AND REALIZED HE WAS OFF THE ROAD THEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE VEHICLE SLID ON THE GRASS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JAMMED INWARD TO THE DASHBOARD CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENCOUNTER HIS CHEST. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG UNINFLATED RAPIDLY AFTER DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN DUE TO BEING JAMMED FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE 'INFORM DEVICE' NOTIFIED AUTHORITIES THAT THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT WIGGLED UNTIL HE WAS RELEASED. A PASSER BY STOPPED TO ASSIST AND OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE EMS AND THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE CONTACTS CHEST PAIN, TWO BLOOD PRESSURE EXAMS, AND ECHOCARDIOGRAM ON THE SCENE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE CONTACT SOUGHT FURTHER MEDICAL ATTENTION AT A HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS KEPT FOR 1 DAY. DURING HIS HOSPITAL STAY THERE WERE X RAYS AND CT SCAN WERE PERFORMED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (CASE NUMBER: 19263125, POLICE OFFICER'S BADGE NUMBER 12). THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NORTH PARK LEXUS OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS DEALER (210-308-8900, LOCATED AT 611 LOCKHILL SELMA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216) TO INFORM THEM OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
- Reported
- Jan 2020
- Incident date
- Dec 2019
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Crash 1 injuries
Unknown Or OtherAug 2019 · ODI 11245768Details +Close −
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SPLIT IN HALF WHEN THE A/C CAME ON DURING A VERY HOT DAY.
- Reported
- Aug 2019
- Incident date
- Jul 2019
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Exterior LightingNov 2018 · ODI 11153497Details +Close −
WHEN DRIVING THE LOW BEAMS ON MY LEXUS ES 300H ILLUMINATE A MAXIMUM 4 DIVIDING LINES ON A ROAD AND THAT'S EQUAL TO 120 FEET. MY AUTO HIGH BEAMS COME ON FREQUENTLY AS THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS AT NIGHT ARE VERY LIMITED . I HAVE A 2019 CAMRY AND THOSE LIGHTS WHICH ARE SIMILAR ILLUMINATE AT LEAST 200 FEET AND AT LEAST 8 DIVIDING LINES. MY DEALER CHECKED AND STATED THEY ARE CORRECT.
- Reported
- Nov 2018
- Incident date
- Nov 2018
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherAug 2018 · ODI 11115493Details +Close −
I HAVE A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH MY NEW LEXUS ES300H 2018. I LEASED THE CAR FROM KEYES IN VAN NUYS(LA). WHEN I SEAT IN THE CAR AFTER 5 MINUTES SOME THING CAUSE ITCHING MY FACE,THIS SITUATION IS EVEN WORSED WHEN I DRIVE IN THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 8 TIMES THEY START CLEANING CHANGING THE CABIN AIR FILTER BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I GAVE RIDES TO MY FRIENDS ALSO AND THEY COMPLAIN IN A SAME WAY THAT I DID (ITCHING, COUGHING). LAST WEEK I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF BREATHING PROBLEM THAT I GET AND NOW I AM USING INHALATION AEROSOL. THIS ISSUE NEED A SERIOUS INSPECTION BECAUSE NON OF THESE DEALER ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
- Reported
- Aug 2018
- Incident date
- May 2018
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
EngineJul 2018 · ODI 11109929Details +Close −
TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 LEXUS ES300H. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ITCHING OF THE FACE, COUGHING, AND THROAT COMPLICATIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER (LEXUS OF SERRAMONTE, 700 SERRAMONTE BLVD, COLMA, CALIFORNIA 94014) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CLEANED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80.
- Reported
- Jul 2018
- Incident date
- May 2018
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Seat BeltsApr 2018 · ODI 11090316Details +Close −
I WAS TOLD BY A CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT THROUGH EMAIL THAT "THE LATCH SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR REAR FACING CHILD SEATS." THIS IS COMPLETELY SHOCKING TO ME AS THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS IN THE MANUAL THAT THIS IS THE CASE. WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH OUR DAUGHTER FOR MONTHS USING THE LATCH SYSTEM FOR HER REAR FACING CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY ENOUGH TO INSTALL WITH THE SEAT BELT INSTEAD.
- Reported
- Apr 2018
- Incident date
- Apr 2018
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Vehicle Speed ControlNov 2017 · ODI 11051352Details +Close −
CRUISE CONTROL WITH DISTANCE FOLLOWING. THIS SYSTEM WHEN ACTIVE AND BY DESIGN STOPS SLOWING THE VEHICLE AT AN ESTIMATED 25 MILES AN HOUR. THE OPERATOR IS EXPECTING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IT DOES NOT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE REAR END COLLISIONS BECOME PROMINENT REGARDLESS IF DOCUMENTED IN MANUALS. SINCE THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF THIS SYSTEM THE OWNER MAY NOT KNOW WITH WHICH ONE THEY HAVE. SO IF YOU'RE COMING UP ON STOPPED TRAFFIC AND RELYING ON THE CAR TO STOP ITSELF FROM SAY 65 70 MILES AN HOUR, THE CAR SLOWS TO 25 MPH OR SO AND SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY BRAKES RELEASE YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN WITH ONLY 50 FEET OR SO TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE PANIC STOP. INCREDIBALLY DANGEROUS. IT SHOULD BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP IF NECESSARY. DATES OF OCCURANCE ARE VARIOUS
- Reported
- Nov 2017
- Incident date
- Nov 2017
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Recalls
No recalls are listed for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change when NHTSA publishes new information.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300h | 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 40 | 39 | 40 |
| ES 350 | 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 | 30 | 24 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
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2018 Lexus ES: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Lexus ES?
Owners filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Lexus ES. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Lexus ES?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (13% of complaints) and engine (13%).
How many recalls does the 2018 Lexus ES have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2018 Lexus ES as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Lexus ES get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Lexus ES between 24 and 40 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.