2018 Lexus LS500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
19,735 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Wheels is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
1
25.0%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Wheels
2
Service Brakes
1
Structure
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Wheels
2
Service Brakes
1
Structure
1
Wheels: 2; Service Brakes: 1; Structure: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2018
1
2019
2
2022
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2018
1
2019
2
2022
1
2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Wheels leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
2018 LS 500. CONSUMER WRITES WITH REGARD TO POOR DESIGN FEATURES AND HIGH REPAIR COST FOR VEHICLE. *AS NO ANSWER REQUIRED, NHTSA CC'D ON COMPLAINT. *EA *JS *JS
RUN FLAT TIRES ON LS 500 2018 HAS MANUFACTURE RECALL "KLC" AND NHTSA RECALL "19V134". THE VEHICLE WILLL BE DRIVEN CONTINUALLY OVER 2,500 MILES AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60MPH FOR 7-8 HOURS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS. LEXUS DEALER IS UNABLE TO RESPOND IF THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE RECALLED. DRIVE SAFELY IS THE CONCERN.
TIRE RECALL. CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR FOUR WEEKS NOW. TIRES ARE BACK ORDERED,. THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. I AM ISSUED A LOANER TO DRIVE, BUT IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING NOT TO KNOW WHEN THE REPAIR WILL BE DONE. IT SEEMS THEY SHOULD HAVE A SUPPLY OF THESE TIRES IF 6300 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED.
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus LS500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormally loud knocking under the vehicle near the suspension. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.
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 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
50.0%Usable mileage2 / 4 records
100.0%Valid incident date4 / 4 records
100.0%Valid filing date4 / 4 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates4 / 4 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2018
2019
2020
2021
Service Brakes
125.0%ODI 11454114 · 33,000 mi
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus LS500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormally loud knocking under the vehicle near the suspension. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.
TL* THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 2019 LEXUS LS500. WHILE REVERSING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE WHILE REVERSING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE UTILITY BOX. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE REAR BUMPER REPAIRED. LEXUS OF THOUSAND OAKS (3755 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362, [phone removed]) REFERRED TH…
RUN FLAT TIRES ON LS 500 2018 HAS MANUFACTURE RECALL "KLC" AND NHTSA RECALL "19V134". THE VEHICLE WILLL BE DRIVEN CONTINUALLY OVER 2,500 MILES AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60MPH FOR 7-8 HOURS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS. LEXUS DEALER IS UNABLE TO RESPOND IF THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE RECALLED. DRIVE SAFELY IS THE CONCERN.
FUEL PUMP ISSUE IDENTIFIED IN JANUARY 2020. COULD CAUSE STALL AND ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY. STILL NO FIX AVAILABLE AFTER 4 MONTHS. PROBABLY IN EXCESS OF 2,000,000 VEHICLES (LEXUS AND TOYOTA) AFFECTED AND REPRESENT A HAZARD ON THE ROADS OF THE US.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
133.3%ODI 11418764 · 10,200 mi
The contact owns a 2019 Lexus LS500. The contact stated that he pulled into his driveway, placed the gear in park, got out of the vehicle to get something but without warning the vehicle rolled backward over the contact, dragging the contact to the end of the driveway where the vehicle crashed into the curb. No Air Bags deployed. The contact sustained an injury to the left side of his body, fractured ankle, fractured ribs left and right side of the body, laceration to the forehead. Medical attention was contacted and did take the contact to the…
2018 LS 500. CONSUMER WRITES WITH REGARD TO POOR DESIGN FEATURES AND HIGH REPAIR COST FOR VEHICLE. *AS NO ANSWER REQUIRED, NHTSA CC'D ON COMPLAINT. *EA *JS *JS
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Wheels
Too few reports for a range
6,469 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 11204231 · 6,469 mi
RUN FLAT TIRES ON LS 500 2018 HAS MANUFACTURE RECALL "KLC" AND NHTSA RECALL "19V134". THE VEHICLE WILLL BE DRIVEN CONTINUALLY OVER 2,500 MILES AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60MPH FOR 7-8 HOURS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS. LEXUS DEALER IS UNABLE TO RESPOND IF THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE RECALLED. DRIVE SAFELY IS THE CONCERN.
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus LS500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormally loud knocking under the vehicle near the suspension. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2020: 0 complaints · 2021: 1 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2020
0
0
0
2021
0
1
1
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2020
0
0
0
2021
1
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Wheels
Service Brakes
Structure
Wheels
—
0
0
Service Brakes
0
—
0
Structure
0
0
—
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
Brake response concerns
1 mentions · 25.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 33,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 11454114 · 33,000 mi
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus LS500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormally loud knocking under the vehicle near the suspension. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.