TireKick

Problems to check

2018 Lexus RX reported problems

These problems appeared in the records we reviewed. This is not a list of what happens most often, and it does not predict the condition of one car.

What to look for

Service Brakes owner reports

Moderate severity
Evidence: Limited confidence

Owner reports are bound to model year 2018.

Symptom
5 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention service brakes.
Why it matters
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

Mileage in the reports

In reports that included mileage, this problem showed up around 63,000 to 63,000 miles.

Based on 1 report that included mileage. This is not a failure rate or a prediction.

What to inspect

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

Ask the inspector to check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

What may help

  • Use the inspection and service records to check whether this car shows the reported problem.
Sources and limitsShow
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AFTER SWITCHING INTO LEFT LANE SAW BRAKE LIGHTS AHEAD AND STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL. HEARD SLIGHT POP SOUND, BRAKE PEDAL WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FLOOR. CAR DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. SWERVED TO LEFT TO AVOID DIRECTLY HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME BUT HIT JERSEY WALL AND THE CAR. MY CAR KEPT GOING ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED YARDS BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED. CAR WAS TOTALED.WITHOUT FUNCTIONING BRAKES ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL OR FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING WERE USELESS.”
NHTSAcomplaintNov 2020Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Brake squack/barking noise when brakes are depressed.”
NHTSAcomplaintApr 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“I am writing to raise a serious concern regarding a issue with my 2018 Lexus RX450hL involving the brake actuator. Since purchasing the vehicle at 63,000 miles, I have noticed hissing, clicking, and squeaking noises when applying the brakes. As the mileage increased to 83,000, these noises have worsened, becoming unbearable. In addition, I am experiencing a shaky driver-side mirror and a rusting hood latch, both of which present safety concerns. For a vehicle under 5 years old , I believe these problems do not reflect the quality I expected, particularly given the premium price I paid. According to Lexus' Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #L-SB-0032-23 Rev, issued in October 2023, which addresses squawk or knock noises from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is pressed or released, affecting models like the RX450hL. My vehicle exhibits symptoms similar to those described in the TSB. The vehicle was regularly maintained by the previous owner at Lexus of Thousand Oaks and Woodland Hills. Despite this, the major part like brake actuator has failed prematurely. Given Lexus' reputation as a luxury brand, it is unacceptable that such a critical component would fail before the vehicle is 5 years old or has reached 100,000 miles. The combination of the brake actuator defect, the shaky mirror, and the rusting hood latch is disappointing, especially for a vehicle of this caliber. When I initially contacted Lexus Customer Service, I was also dealing with rusting parts and a failing brake booster. Lexus of Cerritos provided a repair estimate of around $5,000 for brake actuator. I was advised to reach out to Lexus Customer Service after my request for a good faith repair was denied due to the inability to obtain the complete maintenance history. However, I have since confirmed with the previous owner and Lexus that the vehicle was regularly serviced. I am also aware that Lexus has issued brake actuator-related recalls for several models.”
NHTSAcomplaintOct 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The car makes a "Brake Squawk" noise when the brake pedal is applied. The noise sometimes is unbearable. Dealer replaced the brake actuator. The noise came back after a few months.”
NHTSAcomplaintJul 2023Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Lexus 2018 Rx450hl is known to have issue with brake actuator. A faulty brake actuator causes the car to fail sudden stop. It’s definitely a safety issue. Lexus have technical service information bulletin(tsib) for this issue since 2019. They never contact the owner to replace the faulty part. So if the car is under warranty they will fix the problem with no cost. But if the warranty pass the threshold, they are charging the costumer 3.5k to replace it. It’s an absolute horrible business practices. This part is a manufactured defect and it’s a safety issue.”
NHTSAcomplaintJan 2023Open source record

Manufacturer service campaign

Moderate severity
Evidence: High confidence

Official record covers model years 2017 through 2021.

Symptom
Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
Why it matters
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

Mileage in the reports

In reports that included mileage, this problem showed up around 15,750 to 58,345 miles.

Based on 20 reports that included mileage. This is not a failure rate or a prediction.

What to inspect

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

Ask the inspector to check: Independent pre-purchase inspection.

What may help

  • Use the official record to focus the inspection and service-history review.
Sources and limitsShow
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022”
NHTSAtsbApr 2022Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022”
NHTSAtsbApr 2022Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022”
NHTSAtsbApr 2022Open source record

The records cannot show the service history, repairs, title, accidents, or condition of the car you found.

Check a 2018 Lexus RX at its mileage