2018 Lexus IS 350
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Lexus IS 350 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.
2018 Lexus IS 350 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2018 Lexus IS 350 recalls 1
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 Toyo…
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 2…
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2018 Lexus IS 350 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2018 Lexus IS 350 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deploymen…
NHTSA #EA21002 · Air Bags · opened Sep 2021An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 18
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 18.
Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
Bulletin Safety Recall 22 · Equipment · Apr 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service…
Bulletin L-SB-0004-22 · Air Bags · Feb 2022POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it.…
Bulletin Lexus PRO19-02 - · Tires, Wheels, Equipment · Jan 2022POL: UPDATES TO THE 2014-2021 LEXUS UNIVERSAL FLAT RATE MANUAL
Bulletin Lexus PRO21-UFRM · Equipment · May 2021Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
Bulletin Lexus Safety Re · Air Bags · Mar 2021TSB: Some 2018 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles equipped with the Enform? 2.0 Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software. The SST is used with applicable vehicles to deliver…
Bulletin L-SB-0020-19 Rev · Equipment, Electrical System · Aug 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired according…
Bulletin L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Engine, Power Train · Aug 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a fluid seep. Cases that are determined to be a ?leak? should be repaired according…
Bulletin L-SB-0002-20 Rev · Power Train · Aug 2020TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. ST004-01, SU001-08, and L-SB-0174-08. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire con…
Bulletin L-SB-0023-20 · Wheels · Jun 2020Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
Bulletin Lexus Safety Re · Equipment · May 2020Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the IS 350C. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2018 Lexus IS 350. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Fuel System
Issue: On certain vehicles, the low-pressure fuel pump could fail. If this happens, then engine may run rough or may not start and the check engine light may turn on. This could also result in a sudden loss of engine power while driving. Note: This recall is an expansion of recalls SRC R95/SRC R96 and SRC RA2/SRC RA3 (Transport Canada Recall Numbers 2020-005 and 2020-088). Safe…
Transport Canada #2020514 · Oct 2020Fuel System
Issue: On certain vehicles, the low-pressure fuel pump could fail. If this happens, then engine may run rough or may not start and the check engine light may turn on. This could also result in a sudden loss of engine power while driving. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall SRC R95/SRC R96 (Transport Canada Recall No. 2020-005) Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power…
Transport Canada #2020088 · Mar 2020Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Lexus IS 350
The Lexus IS is a compact executive car sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota, since 1998. The IS was originally sold under the Toyota Altezza nameplate in Japan from 1998 until 2005. The IS was introduced as an entry-level sport model positioned below the ES in the Lexus lineup. It was the smallest car in the Lexus lineup until the introduction of the CT in 2011.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.