2018 Lexus LS
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 4 of 14 complaints (29%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 2 in 2017 to 14 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 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,900–4,300 | 4,100–4,300 | 2,750–3,700 | 2,750–3,700 | 2,750–3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–20 | 18–19 | 21–28 | 21–28 | 21–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–19 / 23–24 | 16 / 23–24 | 18–25 / 27–33 | 18–25 / 27–33 | 18–25 / 27–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 431–486 | 460–486 | 314–417 | 317–421 | 318–420 | |
| Complaints filed | 6 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 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 LS have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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 LS?
Engine: 4 of 14 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Lexus LS get?
EPA rates it 21–28 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Lexus LS?
EPA estimates $2,750–$3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S10) | 6 | 3.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,750 (low) | 314 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S10) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $3,000 | 340 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S10) | 6 | 3.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg | 30 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 387 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S10) | 6 | 3.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 417 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 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 (2)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · Campaign 24V275000 · Apr 17, 2024
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24LA03.
TIRES; TIRES:SIDEWALL · Campaign 19V134000 · Feb 28, 2019
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Lexus LS vehicles equipped with run-flat tires with a sidewall reinforcement layer inside the tire. The tire-on-wheel assembly process may have caused the reinforcement layer to crack, possibly resulting in the tire tread layer separating from the tire.
Consequence: If the tire tread layer separates from the vehicle, vehicle handling and stability may be affected, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the affected tires, free of charge. The recall began April 26, 2019. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. The Toyota number for this recall is KLC.