AI Damage2018 Lexus LS: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Lexus LS filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and wheels. The maker issued 45 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 45
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
- 2 Wheels 30% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 10% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 10% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 10% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (30% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Wheels: 3 complaints (30% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Tires: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Forward collision avoidance: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.4 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3.5 L · hybrid · 6 cyl
- automatic, 10-speed
- CVT
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Large lump/lumps on the lower left / bottom portion of the driver's seat, protruding from the seat bottom closest to the lower bolster. As a direct result my left leg loses its circulation, it causes numbness and muscle pain in thigh and groin due to this.
All 4 tires have tread wear on the inner side. Took it to lexus they said no remedy is available ended up selling the car. May cause slip and accident
The vehicle exhibited 3 episodes of premature battery failure. Mileage of the vehicle is 6000 miles. Without any warning the car would just not start from a gas pump or such locations in the middle of the road.
Vehicle hesitates while driving. Recall announced to us 1/20/2020. Have attempted numerous times to have dealership do the free recall repair. Even while there for oil changes and regular services throughout this year. Have been told each time they need to order the part and they will call me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 lexus ls 500. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle shifted from tenth gear to fourth gear without warning. The rpms revved up and the contact flicked the switch on the steering wheel to go back to the tenth gear. The failure recurred 6 times.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 lexus ls. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with a pre-collision system, which was supposed to aid in preventing a crash. In the event of a crash, it released the hood of the vehicle. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact was cut off by another vehicle.
Apeal against the recall done by lexus toyota on may 16th, 2019, I took my car lexus 2018 ls 500 to the dealer, lexus of woodland hills, where I bought it, for being recalled by the company. (nhtsa recall no.
I have purchased three lexus' over the years from new country lexus and am very disappointed in the service from both my dealer and lexus corporation. I am disappointed that new country and lexus corporation would put me and my family at risk of injury and/or death.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,486 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 29% least complained about).
On average one model year of the LS has 2 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 10, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2018 – 2023 model year LC 500, and LC 500h, 2021 – 2023 model year LC 500c, 2018 – 2023 model year LS…
Some 2018 – 2023 model year LC 500, and LC 500h, 2021 – 2023 model year LC 500c, 2018 – 2023 model year LS 500, and LS 500h, 2015 model year RX 450h, and 2018 – 2022 model year RX 450h vehicles may exhibit a condition…
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 2, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0004-26.
- Some 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation System, require a…
Some 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation System, require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The…
- Some customers may experience operational difficulties with some telematics features which they cannot…
Some customers may experience operational difficulties with some telematics features which they cannot resolve on their own. These resources, in conjunction with the Repair Manual, are for dealership personnel to…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to…
To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the…
- The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master…
The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased and can never be reused…
- Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™
The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal…
- Some 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation System, require a…
Some 2018 – 2025 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform™ 2.0 Navigation System, require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software. The SST is…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
NHTSA lists 45 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Lexus LS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, wheels, powertrain. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (10%), fuel system, fuel smell (10%), hesitation when accelerating (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Lexus LS?
NHTSA lists 45 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Lexus LS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.