Model year guide

2018 Lexus ls

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Lexus ls is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2018 Lexus ls — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2018 Lexus ls at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints10

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2018 Lexus ls recalls 2

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger NHTSA Campaign #24V275000 · manufacturer #24LA03 · 17/04/2024

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem…

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24LA03.

Tires:sidewall NHTSA Campaign #19V134000 · manufacturer #KLC · 27/02/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Lexus LS vehicles equipped with run-flat tires with a sidewall reinforcement layer inside the tire. The tire-on-wheel assembly process may have caused the reinforcement layer to crack, possibly resulting in the tire tread layer separating from the tire.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the affected tires, free of charge. The recall began April 26, 2019. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. The Toyota number for this recall is KLC.

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 ls common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Dimensions & weight

Length
206.3 in
Width
74.8 in
Height
57.5 in
Wheelbase
123.2 in
Curb weight
4,938–5,225 lb
Front track
64.6 in
Rear track
64.6 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2018 Lexus ls — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 55

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 55.

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

Bulletin L-SB-0043-23 Rev1 · Electrical System · Jun 2025

To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the system and are only to be used when requested b…

Bulletin L-TT-0341-25 · Electrical System · Apr 2025

To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the system and are only to be used when requested b…

Bulletin L-TT-0341-25 · Electrical System · Apr 2025

The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased and can never be reused. Another feature, Add/Remove Key, is also a…

Bulletin L-SB-0013-24 Rev1 · Electrical System · Feb 2025

The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased and can never be reused. Another feature, Add/Remove Key, is also a…

Bulletin L-SB-0013-24 Rev1 · Electrical System · Feb 2025

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain f…

Bulletin L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Structure · Feb 2025

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain f…

Bulletin L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Structure · Feb 2025

Some 2018 – 2025 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 the…

Bulletin L-SB-0057-22 Rev2 · Electrical System · Jan 2025

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to pr…

Bulletin L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Structure · Jul 2024

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to pr…

Bulletin L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Structure · Jul 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the LS. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Lexus ls

The Lexus LS is a series of full-size luxury sedans that have served as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, since 1989. For the first four generations, all LS models featured V8 engines and were predominantly rear-wheel-drive. In the fourth generation, Lexus offered all-wheel-drive, hybrid, and long-wheelbase variants. The fifth generation changed to using a V6 engine with no V8 option, and only one length was offered.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2018 Lexus ls trims & engines on record

Trims
500
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl 416 hp

2018 Lexus ls vehicles on record

Other Lexus ls model years

2018 Lexus ls — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Lexus ls have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Lexus ls. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Lexus ls?

Across all 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are wheels, electrical system, seats.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.