Owners have reported 9 crashes and 5 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Lexus RX. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Lexus RX report several issues under the unknown or other category, primarily involving display malfunctions and sunroof failures. Multiple owners describe the 12.3-inch display going blank at startup, which can obscure important malfunction indicators and potentially increase crash risk if issues arise while driving. Additionally, there are reports of sunroofs spontaneously shattering, with glass shards posing a danger to occupants; these incidents often occur without warning and have been documented both during driving and while the vehicle is stationary. Some complaints also highlight difficulties in obtaining timely recall repairs due to parts unavailability, as well as rapid tire wear around 14,000 miles, suggesting potential manufacturing defects. These issues could be significant for potential buyers, especially regarding safety and maintenance considerations.
Owner complaints6
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Lexus RX frequently report issues with the brake actuator, with symptoms including squawking or squeaking noises when the brake pedal is applied. These noises often worsen over time, as noted by owners experiencing the problem from approximately 63,000 to 83,000 miles. One complaint describes a crash resulting from a brake failure, highlighting a serious safety concern involving the brake pedal going to the floor and ineffective stopping. While some reports focus on noise, the potential for brake failure and associated safety risks are significant considerations for used car buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Lexus RX report issues with the fuel/propulsion system, primarily involving fuel pump failures. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as gasoline odors, rapid fuel gauge drops, and visible fuel leaks. In some cases, a warning light is present, while others report no warning before the issue occurs. Affected vehicles are noted to risk stalling, particularly concerning when driving at high speeds, such as on a freeway. These issues often coincide with delayed recall repairs, as multiple owners express frustration over the unavailability of replacement parts, with some reporting the problem persisting for several months.
Owner complaints5
POWER TRAIN
Owners report that the 2018 Lexus RX frequently experiences hesitation and unpredictable acceleration when pressing the gas pedal. Complaints commonly describe a delay in acceleration, excessive surging, and a jerking sensation, particularly at lower speeds and during city driving. Some owners note these issues occur during highway driving as well, with hesitation and erratic acceleration happening around 45-65 mph. A few reports mention the vehicle shutting down while driving at high speeds, posing a potential safety risk. These issues appear to persist regardless of fuel level or recent maintenance, with some owners experiencing problems soon after purchase.
Owner complaints3
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2018 Lexus RX frequently report issues related to the vehicle's visibility features. A common complaint involves the panoramic sunroof's sunshade, which tends to bunch up and stop before fully retracting, potentially requiring costly repairs. Another issue involves the passenger side windshield wiper, which may become non-functional due to loose bolts, as reported by an owner during a heavy rainstorm. Additionally, there are reports of rear windows unexpectedly shattering while driving at highway speeds, with one owner noting that no impact was involved. These visibility-related issues can pose safety concerns, particularly in adverse weather conditions or at high speeds.
Owner complaints3
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 Lexus RX report issues with the vehicle's door handles, specifically the front driver's side interior door handle failing to open the door, necessitating the use of the exterior handle. This issue is associated with Lexus Special Service Campaign Number: 20LC02, though some owners state their vehicles were not covered by the campaign despite being within the production period. Complaints typically involve vehicles with mileage around 47,518. Additionally, a crash incident is reported where the vehicle's emergency crash system did not activate, resulting in a collision with a building support column. This suggests potential safety implications related to the vehicle's crash prevention system.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Lexus RX report issues primarily related to the electrical system, including HVAC servo motor failures and warning lights for the all-wheel-drive system and engine. Complaints frequently mention parking brake and cruise control malfunctions, with one owner citing a Technical Service Bulletin (T-SB-0168-19) relevant to similar issues in other models but not the RX. Symptoms include warning lights, system malfunctions, and vehicle immobilization, with one owner experiencing a complete vehicle shutdown. Safety implications are noted in the parking brake malfunction, which could disable the brake until the vehicle is restarted. These reports do not specify mileage but highlight potential electrical system vulnerabilities that may affect vehicle operation and safety.
Owner complaints3
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Lexus RX frequently report issues related to the fuel system, with a notable pattern of raw fuel odors entering the cabin at start-up, particularly around 42,548 miles. Multiple complaints highlight delays in recall repairs due to unavailable parts, with some owners experiencing intermittent starting problems and illuminated check engine lights, often around 21,500 miles. Additionally, one owner describes a rattling noise from the rear when driving uphill. There are no reports of crashes, fires, or loss of control associated with these issues, but potential buyers should be aware of these recurring symptoms and the possible inconvenience of delayed recall repairs.
Owner complaints2
ENGINE
Owners report issues with the engine in the 2018 Lexus RX, including a misfire in engine block #1 related to the oxygen/gasoline ratio. Another complaint describes the vehicle's engine stalling while driving, accompanied by multiple warning lights including the engine, AWD, and ABS lights. This stalling issue is linked to a fuel pump problem, which occurred twice, with the second incident happening at highway speeds. Safety implications are evident as the stalling led to the vehicle stopping abruptly in traffic, though no injuries were reported. These issues are not tied to a specific mileage range, but one owner notes being unaware of a recall related to the fuel pump at the time of the incidents.
