2018 Lexus ES reliability
NHTSA's file on the 2018 Lexus ES holds 5 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 0 per year. ES years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 0 complaints per year. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
5
0
0
9
The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (1 of 5), then Engine and engine cooling (1) and Fuel and propulsion system (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.
The 2017 ES has 2 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2019 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Lexus ES. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (5 total)
1
0
1
0
Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"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…"
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"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…"
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"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…"
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"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-ex…"
Fuel economy
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300h | 2.5L, 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-wheel drive | 40 | 39 | 40 MPG | $1600 |
| ES 350 | 3.5L, 6-cyl | Automatic (6-speed) | Front-wheel drive | 21 | 30 | 24 MPG | $2700 |
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
Recall 20V-012 covers certain 2018 ES 350 vehicles, added when Toyota expanded the campaign on March 4, 2020, among many other Toyota and Lexus models. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, and if it does the engine can stall while driving; dealers replace the fuel pump free of charge. Recall 20V-682, an expansion of 20V-012, also covers certain 2018 ES 350 vehicles for the same failure mode; there the replacement pump assembly is an improved one.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Lexus ES reliable?
NHTSA's file on the 2018 Lexus ES holds 5 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 0 per year. ES years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 0 complaints per year. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2018 Lexus ES?
The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (1 of 5), then Engine and engine cooling (1) and Fuel and propulsion system (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.
Is the 2018 Lexus ES more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2017 ES has 2 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2019 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.
Has the 2018 Lexus ES been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2018 Lexus ES.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Lexus ES?
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2018 Lexus ES with NHTSA.
What mpg does a 2018 Lexus ES get?
EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Lexus ES is 32 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.
What generation is the 2020 Lexus ES?
7th generation (2019-2025).
What oil does a 7th-generation Lexus ES take?
0W-20 for ES 350 (~5.7 qt with filter); 0W-16 for ES 250 (~4.8 qt). Confirm your engine in the owner’s manual.
Is the 2026 Lexus ES a new generation?
Yes. Lexus launched the eighth-generation ES for 2026 with hybrid and battery-electric models in the U.S.