Research · Subcompact Cars

2018 Lexus LC 500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints for the 2018 Lexus LC 500. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (2) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
5
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 Lexus LC 500 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2017 – Jul 2023
  1. Fuel/propulsion system2
  2. Electrical system1
  3. Structure1
  4. Other / unknown3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each LC 500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20185
20201
20211
20243
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS LC500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND STALLED WITH THE ENGINE STOP AND STEERING POWER LOW WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALDERSON LEXUS 1302 19 TH ST, LUBBOCK, TX 79401, (877)978-2338) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. STERLING MCCALL LEXUS (10025 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074) AND NORTH PARK LEXUS AT DOMINION (21531 W INTERSTATE 10 FRONTAGE RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78257) WERE CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11323371

Electrical system

1 report
“Driver’s side door handle/mechanism/latch failure results in issues with opening and closing door representing a potentially major safety issue. Door could open on its own at highway speeds resulting in mass injury and/or death resultant from driver falling out of uncontrolled vehicle. Multiple owners of same year/make/model have reported malfunction of the same driver’s side handle as demonstrated below: https://youtu.be/26SLPCm_mnM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2023Electrical system, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11531072

Structure

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
5.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LC 500
Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162619$4,200459
  • LC 500
    Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L
    16 city · 26 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Lexus LC 500 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 12277
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 LC 500 questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Lexus LC 500 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.

What are the most common 2018 Lexus LC 500 problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (2), electrical system (1), structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Lexus LC 500 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Lexus LC 500 at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026