2018 Lexus IS
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 3 of 9 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Transmission & Drivetrain include more crash reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 13 in 2017 to 9 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,000–3,700 | 3,000–3,700 | 3,000–3,500 | 3,250–3,700 | 3,250–3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–26 | 21–26 | 22–26 | 21–24 | 21–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–22 / 26–32 | 19–22 / 26–32 | 19–22 / 26–32 | 19–21 / 26–30 | 18–21 / 24–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 345–415 | 345–415 | 345–410 | 360–412 | 363–422 | |
| Complaints filed | 8 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 7 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Lexus IS have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Lexus IS?
Fuel System: 3 of 9 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Lexus IS get?
EPA rates it 22–26 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Lexus IS?
EPA estimates $3,000–$3,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $3,000 (low) | 345 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 410 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 388 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 410 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 20V012000 · Jan 14, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.