Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Midsize Cars

2018 Lexus LS500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints for the 2018 Lexus LS500. Most complaints involve wheels (2) and service brakes (1). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2020
Owner complaints
4
Top: wheels
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 4, 2020NHTSA 20V682000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 13, 2020NHTSA 20V012000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2018 – Feb 2022
  1. Wheels2
  2. Service brakes1
  3. Structure1

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 LS500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20184
20190
20200
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Wheels

2 reports
“TIRE RECALL. CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR FOUR WEEKS NOW. TIRES ARE BACK ORDERED,. THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. I AM ISSUED A LOANER TO DRIVE, BUT IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING NOT TO KNOW WHEN THE REPAIR WILL BE DONE. IT SEEMS THEY SHOULD HAVE A SUPPLY OF THESE TIRES IF 6300 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2019WheelsODI 11232855

Service brakes

1 report
“The contact owns a 2018 Lexus LS500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormally loud knocking under the vehicle near the suspension. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2022Service brakesODI 11454114

Structure

1 report1 crash
“2018 LS 500. CONSUMER WRITES WITH REGARD TO POOR DESIGN FEATURES AND HIGH REPAIR COST FOR VEHICLE. *AS NO ANSWER REQUIRED, NHTSA CC'D ON COMPLAINT. *EA *JS *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2018StructureCrash reportedODI 11138733
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-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 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LS 500
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
193023$3,450387
LS 500 AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
182721$3,800417
  • LS 500
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Turbo
    19 city · 30 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • LS 500 AWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Turbo
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Lexus LS500 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026
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 LS500 questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Lexus LS500 have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2018 Lexus LS500 problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are wheels (2), service brakes (1), structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Lexus LS500 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Lexus LS500 at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026