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Lexus · Midsize / large SUV

2018 Lexus RX

HybridGas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA46
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA30 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Lexus RX is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize or large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RX 450h AWD, is EPA-rated at 30 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 46 complaints, most often about the service brakes. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
RX 450h AWDHybridAWD3.5L 6-cyl + 288V Ni-MH312830$2,600
RX 450h L AWDHybridAWD3.5L 6-cyl + 288V Ni-MH292829$2,650
RX 350GasFWD3.5L 6-cyl202723$2,700
RX 350 AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl192622$2,850
RX 350 LGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl192622$2,850
RX 350 L AWDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl182521$2,950

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39829, 39927, 39825, 39828, 39848, 39852.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Lexus RX is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TA02, 20LA01
1,525,742 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200,RiskIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an
NHTSA campaign 20V682000reported Nov 4, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20TB02/20TA02/20LB01
1,830,752 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200TRiskIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
NHTSA campaign 20V012000reported Jan 13, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
46complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 14 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 7 · 2026: 4

Most-cited components

Unspecified10
Service Brakes10
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Engine7
Power Train5
Vehicle Speed Control5

What owners describe

“On XXX, our 2018 Lexus RX 350L was involved in a high-speed collision in [XXX]. The vehicle struck a Jersey/concrete barrier with the left front of the vehicle. The collision caused extensive damage to the left-front corner of the vehicle. The left-front wheel and suspension were severely displaced, with substantial da…”Aug 20, 2026 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“I was starting to lose control of the car and took it to the dealership for a check . The car has only 52000 miles and the Ball Joints and the sway bar links are leaking grease according to the dealer”Apr 28, 2026 · Steering · NHTSA owner report
“1. Check engine light comes on. 2. Intelligent collision system (ICS) plashing while driving”Mar 29, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other RX model years

A

2026 Lexus RX

2 recalls · 5 complaints

C

2025 Lexus RX

4 recalls · 20 complaints

C

2024 Lexus RX

4 recalls · 56 complaints

C

2023 Lexus RX

4 recalls · 65 complaints

A

2022 Lexus RX

0 recalls · 38 complaints

C

2021 Lexus RX

2 recalls · 70 complaints

B

2020 Lexus RX

2 recalls · 54 complaints

D

2019 Lexus RX

4 recalls · 68 complaints

C

2017 Lexus RX

3 recalls · 103 complaints

C

2016 Lexus RX

3 recalls · 93 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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