Total Complaints
7 filings
LEXUS ES350 · model year
2018 LEXUS ES350
7 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2018LEXUSES350 carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 ES350 is vehicle speed control with 2 filings, followed by unknown or other (2) and engine (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2018 ES350. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
7
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
- Front Crash 4.0 ★
- Side Crash 5.0 ★
- Rollover 4.0 ★
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating
· Front: 4/5
· Side: 5/5
· Rollover: 4/5
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
Recalls (2)
20V01200013/01/2020
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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,
20V68200004/11/2020
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 20
Recent Complaints
20230608VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn into a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration driving to the opposite side of the parking lot before the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that moments later the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 66,150.
Mileage: 66,150
20201008CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND THERE WERE A COUPLE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE LIGHT WAS RED. I WAS A CAR LENGTH AND A HALF AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I SAW THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME PROCEED TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF HIS BRAKES, SO I THOUGHT HE WAS MOVING FORWARD AS WELL. SO THEN I DECIDED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 5-10 MPH. BY THE TIME I REALIZED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WASN'T MOVING FORWARD, MY CAR HIT HIS TRAIL-HITCH" (NOT HIS BACK BUMPER) AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED, BUT I COULD DRIVE IT FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE ASSIST OF MY 2018 LEXUS ES350 DID NOT ENGAGE. I THINK THE BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTION ON MY VEHICLE WAS FAULTY AND IT SHOULD'VE BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED, AS IT WOULD'VE STOPPED ME FROM GETTING INTO A CAR ACCIDENT IN THE FIRST PLACE HAD IT ENGAGED AND WORKED PROPERLY.
Mileage: 13,047
20201008CrashSERVICE BRAKES
I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND THERE WERE A COUPLE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE LIGHT WAS RED. I WAS A CAR LENGTH AND A HALF AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I SAW THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME PROCEED TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF HIS BRAKES, SO I THOUGHT HE WAS MOVING FORWARD AS WELL. SO THEN I DECIDED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 5-10 MPH. BY THE TIME I REALIZED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WASN'T MOVING FORWARD, MY CAR HIT HIS TRAIL-HITCH" (NOT HIS BACK BUMPER) AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED, BUT I COULD DRIVE IT FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE ASSIST OF MY 2018 LEXUS ES350 DID NOT ENGAGE. I THINK THE BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTION ON MY VEHICLE WAS FAULTY AND IT SHOULD'VE BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED, AS IT WOULD'VE STOPPED ME FROM GETTING INTO A CAR ACCIDENT IN THE FIRST PLACE HAD IT ENGAGED AND WORKED PROPERLY.
Mileage: 13,047
20201008CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND THERE WERE A COUPLE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE LIGHT WAS RED. I WAS A CAR LENGTH AND A HALF AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I SAW THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME PROCEED TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF HIS BRAKES, SO I THOUGHT HE WAS MOVING FORWARD AS WELL. SO THEN I DECIDED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 5-10 MPH. BY THE TIME I REALIZED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WASN'T MOVING FORWARD, MY CAR HIT HIS TRAIL-HITCH" (NOT HIS BACK BUMPER) AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED, BUT I COULD DRIVE IT FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE ASSIST OF MY 2018 LEXUS ES350 DID NOT ENGAGE. I THINK THE BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTION ON MY VEHICLE WAS FAULTY AND IT SHOULD'VE BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED, AS IT WOULD'VE STOPPED ME FROM GETTING INTO A CAR ACCIDENT IN THE FIRST PLACE HAD IT ENGAGED AND WORKED PROPERLY.
Mileage: 13,047
20200923ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 52 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTOFF AND APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JOHNSON LEXUS LOCATED AT 5839 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. INFORMATION DOWN LOADED FROM THE VEHICLE?S COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DEPRESSING BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. *LN *TR
Mileage: 9,000
20190822UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SPLIT IN HALF WHEN THE A/C CAME ON DURING A VERY HOT DAY.
Mileage: 9,500
20171129VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WITH DISTANCE FOLLOWING. THIS SYSTEM WHEN ACTIVE AND BY DESIGN STOPS SLOWING THE VEHICLE AT AN ESTIMATED 25 MILES AN HOUR. THE OPERATOR IS EXPECTING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IT DOES NOT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE REAR END COLLISIONS BECOME PROMINENT REGARDLESS IF DOCUMENTED IN MANUALS. SINCE THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF THIS SYSTEM THE OWNER MAY NOT KNOW WITH WHICH ONE THEY HAVE. SO IF YOU'RE COMING UP ON STOPPED TRAFFIC AND RELYING ON THE CAR TO STOP ITSELF FROM SAY 65 70 MILES AN HOUR, THE CAR SLOWS TO 25 MPH OR SO AND SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY BRAKES RELEASE YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN WITH ONLY 50 FEET OR SO TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE PANIC STOP. INCREDIBALLY DANGEROUS. IT SHOULD BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP IF NECESSARY. DATES OF OCCURANCE ARE VARIOUS
Mileage: 100
Compare 2018LEXUSES350 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2018 LEXUS ES350 have?▼
The 2018 LEXUS ES350 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 LEXUS ES350?▼
The 2018 LEXUS ES350 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 LEXUS ES350?▼
Yes, the 2018 LEXUS ES350 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 LEXUS ES350?▼
The most-complained component for the 2018 LEXUS ES350 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ENGINE.
Is the 2018 LEXUS ES350 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2018 LEXUS ES350 has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.