The Lemon Index
2017
20195th generation (XF50)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 9,301 in the U.S. in 2018 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 9 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Lexus ES 182018 BMW 5 Series 612018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 45
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V275000 (airbags), 20V682000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 20V012000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Lexus sent dealers 156 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “If the D/C Cut Fuses are not properly seated in the correct main relay block location,…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lexus's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 9 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 8K miles (10K to 13K km) on the car (5 of all 9 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 156 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If the D/C Cut Fuses are not properly seated in the correct main relay block location,…
- To minimize battery discharge during transportation and storage, the D/C cut fuses (30A) have…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
" 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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
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,…
Show all 4 recalls
- Tires · recall issued 2019
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,700–$3,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Lexus LS year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-ls/?y=2018" title="Lexus LS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lexus-ls/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Lexus LS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Lexus LS reliable?
We can't score it: only 9,301 were sold in the U.S. in 2018 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2018 Lexus LS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wheels (44%), electrical (22%) and tires (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Lexus LS have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Lexus LS get?
21 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2018 Lexus LS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Lexus LS cost in fuel a year?
About $2,700 to $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Lexus LS have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lexus LS year is better than the 2018?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2007 drew the fewest (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works