2018 Lexus RX450HRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 2018 Lexus RX450H. Most complaints involve service brakes (7) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Service brakes7
- Engine5
- Structure3
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Electrical system3
- Forward collision avoidance2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Air bags1
- Steering1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
What owners report most
Service brakes
“1. At [XXX] on [XXX], I was pulling into my gym's parking lot, when I stepped on the break to park my car, instead of stopping, the car accelerates rapidly and crashed through the other side of the sidewalk where there were light pole and cement walls, throwing me forward and backward with seat belt on, I was in total shock! 2. My insurance sent a field inspector to the body shop 2X in hope to repair my car but ended up declaring it a Total Loss. 3. Lexus said they would send a field tech to get the EDR (Event Data Recorder) data from my 2018 Lexus RX350 within 30 days, but the results won't be available for 30-45 days after that. Lexus's slow response to this accident concerns and disappoints me b/c it was a serious crash that Lexus should treat it seriously and promptly. 4. The disbelief of a 'young' car with only 12297 miles could have issues like this puzzled me and drove me to do a lot of online research, then I came across this site [XXX] which contains an article titled '10 Common Problems of A Lexus RX350'. Problem #5 described exactly what had happened to me: 'ONE RECURRING PROBLEM THIS CAR HAS IS THAT THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS SEVERELY. THIS TYPICALLY…”
Engine
“Car dead stopped two times in the middle of roads. No warning. No signal. Just hard stopped.”
Structure
“The contact owns a 2018 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that upon arriving to the residence and parking the vehicle, the front driver’s side door failed to open while pulling on the interior door handle. The contact rolled down the window and was able to open the front driver’s side door while pulling the exterior door handle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side door handle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Lexus Special Service Campaign Number: 20LC02. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,518.”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid
- Transmissions
- Automatic (AV-S6)
- 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.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 450h AWD Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 31 | 28 | 30 | $2,650 | 297 |
- 30mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.4%
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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
2018 RX450H questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Lexus RX450H have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.
What are the most common 2018 Lexus RX450H problems?
Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (7), engine (5), structure (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 Lexus RX450H get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Lexus RX450H at 30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
How safe is the 2018 Lexus RX450H?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Lexus RX450H 5 out of 5 stars overall.