Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Lexus NX300 problems
Owners filed 22 complaints about the 2018 Lexus NX300 with NHTSA between Nov 2018 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (8).
Complaints
22
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Engine4
- Service brakes3
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Steering2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Structure2
- Carry handle, shell, base1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Electrical system1
- Air bags1
- Other / unknown4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
2
1
4
2
2
2
5
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Fuel/propulsion system
8 reports
“My 2018 Lexus NX300 F Sport, stalled while driving, pulled over to safe location turned off vehicle, restarted and proceeded to drive a little. Warning came up on display " Engine power reduced, go to dealer". I was able to drive the car home since it was only 2 miles away. Looked up issue on internet and noticed a recall for said problem. Said do not drive, car is in "limp" mode. Had my car towed to MacIntosh Imports (they only service Lexus & Toyota) they checked diagnostics and code DTC P125D71 Fuel Control Valve stuck. The defect could lead to engine stalling, increasing the risk of crash. Affected vehicles were equipped with a fuel pump that may fail. My vin is not listed on recall, I feel it should be included since the symptoms match and asking Lexus to check for Customer Support Program coverage to fix in "good faith"”
Engine
4 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Lexus NX300. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the message "Check Oil" and the Master Warning Light was flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle stalled several times and failed to exceed 40 MPH while driving to the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the fuel pump was replaced in April of 2024. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 232,000.”
Service brakes
3 reports1 crash
“After 45 minutes in stop-and-go traffic the brake pedal went to the floor four times, the Brake Override System (BOS) failed, throwing the shifter into Park failed, and we hit the car in front of us. No warning sounds typical for this car sounded and no lights appeared on the dash. Thankfully, we were only moving at 5 mph which I didn't think qualified as a "crash" but there was indeed a collision. No one was hurt. Besides my wife and myself there were two backseat passengers who also saw my efforts to stop the car. We had the car towed to Lexus of Santa Monica. Unsurprisingly, Ronald Inton with Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) indicated in his letter to us that Lexus inspectors seeing our crumpled front license plate and knowing of the failure of the BOS found nothing wrong with the car, but had not driven it under stop-and-go conditions for 45 minutes as we had. The clear failure of the BOS to prevent the collision or even warn of the impending collision was effectively ignored my Mr. Inton. Our full correspondence with him is attached. Both my wife and I loved driving this car but it is a potentially deadly safety hazard and given that TMNA can't fix…”
Fuel system, gasoline
2 reports1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS NX300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN FRONT OF A STORE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, A PEDESTRIAN INFORMED HIM THAT AN UNKNOWN FLUID HAD BEEN POURING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. ONCE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL HOSE WAS TORN WHICH CAUSED A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSTALLED A TEMPORARY RUBBER HOSE WITH THE CLAMPS FROM THE RUPTURED HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROHRICH LEXUS (2115 W LIBERTY AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15226) AND THE FUEL HOSE FAILURE WAS LINKED TO A RODENT CHEWING ON THE FUEL HOSE OR SOMEONE TAMPERING WITH THE HOSE. THE CONTACT DISPUTED THE DEALER'S ASSESSMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Steering
2 reports
“In June 2022, the vehicle exhibited abnormal engine behavior, specifically fluctuating revolutions per minute (RPM), while at a complete stop, creating a risk of engine stall. Newport Beach Lexus dealership opted to replace the fuel injectors and gaskets as a corrective measure. Previous invoices also show that there were concerns related to fuel equipment prior to this incident. Subsequently, in December 2024, while traveling with my child on [XXX] near Barstow, California, the vehicle experienced severe shaking during an ascent, leading to a temporary loss of power while driving. I continued to drive after a brief respite due to the unsafe, remote location in the desert. Upon arrival in Las Vegas, the vehicle was inspected by a Lexus dealership, and they were unable to identify the issue at that time. In January 2025, the vehicle’s check engine light came on and further inspections at Lexus South County revealed that the vehicle was unsafe to operate without replacing the fuel pump. The dealership indicated that the vehicle would not be released unless this repair was completed and the fuel pump was replaced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration…”
Vehicle speed control
2 reports
“UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION HAPPENED WITH THIS NEW 2018 NX AS WELL AS MY OLD 2015 NX200T AS WELL. IT HAPPENED ONCE SO FAR TO EACH. ONLY ACCELERATED ABOUT 3-4 MPH, AS I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MPH GOING INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. WHEN IT HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO IN MY 2015, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A ONE TIME THING BUT NOW KNOW IT IS A REAL ISSUE! I GOT FLASHLIGHT TO CHECK IF COULD HAVE BEEN MY FLOORMAT INTERFEREING WITH MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT NOTHING EVEN NEAR IT BOTH TIMES! AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE, IT STOPPED ACCELERATING AND CAME TO A STOP BOTH TIMES.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.