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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2018 Lexus RX 350 has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 42 owner complaints, and gets about 22 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2018 Lexus RX 350

  • Engine 6-cyl 3.5L
  • Drive Front-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

1 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

3 injuries reported

3 of 42 reports (~7%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

5 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 20163recalls
  • 20173recalls
  • 2018 · this car1recall
  • 20193recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 2, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
5 / 5 stars
Frontal
4 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2018 Lexus RX350 SUV AWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

1 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Fuel System, Gasoline

    13/01/2020

    Toyota 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 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    How they fix it: Toyota 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.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 2, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 201686reports
  • 201791reports
  • 2018 · this car42reports
  • 201964reports

42 owner reports on file

5 crash mentions 3 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 42 total reports.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 of 42

    The 12.3-inch display of the instrument panel is blank at startup. Operating the vehicle with this display blank reduces the ability to see certain malfunction indicators. If malfunctions occur while driving, continuing to drive could lead

  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 of 42

    The fuel pump sensor electrically shorted. The assembly failed. (tube assembly, fuel suction w/ pump and gage), gasket, fuel suction tube set. It is available for inspection. The car could stall at any time because the fuel pump sensor cann

  • SERVICE BRAKES 5 of 42

    Brake squack/barking noise when brakes are depressed.

  • POWER TRAIN 4 of 42

    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 ACCELER

  • VISIBILITY/WIPER 3 of 42

    I have a panoramic sunroof and the sunshade retracts when the switch is pressed but the shade bunches up and stops before fully retracting. It appears from online searches that it’s a well known problem with Lexus and can result in a very c

  • STRUCTURE 3 of 42

    The contact owns a 2018 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that upon arriving to the residence and parking the vehicle, the front driver’s side door failed to open while pulling on the interior door handle. The contact rolled down the window

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 2, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the L version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 201623mpg
  • 201723mpg
  • 2018 · this car22mpg
  • 201923mpg

$2,800

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 19 mpg
Highway driving 26 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 22 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $3,000 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 2, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

6-cyl 3.5L

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (S8)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
6-cyl 3.5L
Cylinders
6
Displacement
3.5 L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S8)
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 2, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recall was fixed

This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the unknown or other

Owners report problems with the unknown or other more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2018 Lexus RX 350 listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2018 Lexus RX 350? +

    NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Lexus RX 350, including the fuel system, gasoline. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2018 Lexus RX 350 get? +

    The EPA rates the 2018 Lexus RX 350 at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway), about $2,800 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2018 Lexus RX 350? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Lexus RX 350 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2018 Lexus RX 350? +

    Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Lexus RX 350, including 5 involving a crash. The most-reported area is unknown or other.

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