NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Lexus ES Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2018 Lexus ES right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 5 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Lexus ES.

2018 Lexus ES owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Lexus ES, describing incidents dated December 2, 2018 to July 25, 2025.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Seat Belts 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Of the 5 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 5 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11702496 · Filed December 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The driver was able to drive to the residence. Upon test-driving the vehicle, the contact noticed that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking. The…
ODI #11676540 · Filed July 28, 2025
On 7/25/25, I was rear-ended while driving my 2018 Lexus ES 300h with my child in the front seat. Despite the force of impact and resulting injuries, none of the airbags deployed. Moments after the crash, a “SRS Airbag System Malfunction” message appeared on my dashboard. That message is now gone…
ODI #11649758 · Filed March 21, 2025
27 r

Read all 5 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2018 Lexus ES right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2018 Lexus ES. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Lexus ES.

Power Train

ODI #11702496

Incident: December 2, 2018 · Filed: December 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The driver was able to drive to the residence. Upon test-driving the vehicle, the contact noticed that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound while driving the following day, and the vehicle later became undrivable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200.

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #11676540

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: July 25, 2025 · Filed: July 28, 2025

On 7/25/25, I was rear-ended while driving my 2018 Lexus ES 300h with my child in the front seat. Despite the force of impact and resulting injuries, none of the airbags deployed. Moments after the crash, a “SRS Airbag System Malfunction” message appeared on my dashboard. That message is now gone, but airbag and seatbelt lights remain active. I suffered knee injuries from contact with the dashboard, and my child sustained a busted lip and head pain. I’m concerned that a malfunction in the airbag or supplemental restraint system contributed to these injuries. I have video evidence of the incident and in-cabin alerts. I was later advised by Toyota not to drive the vehicle until an inspection is completed, which raises additional concerns about the vehicle’s safety system. I’m reporting this because I believe this malfunction may pose a risk to others, and it should be investigated as a potential defect.

Tires

ODI #11649758

Incident: January 16, 2025 · Filed: March 21, 2025

27 r

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11545990

Incident: September 5, 2023 · Filed: September 22, 2023

This has occurred since I purchased the vehicle new. Might happen a couple of times per month. If I slightly back off from acceleration just for a split second and then decide that I can proceed, when I go back to accelerating, the engine will have no power for 2-3 seconds and then will finally return to normal function. At the same time for seconds only, a message will appear on the dash stating that the brake and accelerator have been depressed at the same time. This all happens in a matter of seconds. And the brake has never been touched! Dealer repeating tells me that can NOT happen unless i hit the brakes, and that I must get confused with the pedals...REALLY !!! Well it has happened maybe 25-30 times At the same time I have near heart failure wondering if the merging or head on traffic is going to smash into me because my acceleration has failed !!! THIS SURE SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO THE EXITING FUEL PUMP RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE MODEL, HOWEVER MY VIN # IS NOT LISTED. If it isn't that, then I guess it would be electronically related. This a serious danger that one doesn't know when it is going to strike next and the dealer understandably can't REPLICATE the acceleration failure. Me and my family needs some safety protection !!! HELP

Structure; Unknown or Other; Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11536846

Incident: August 7, 2023 · Filed: August 7, 2023

The Heat Shield on Exhaust becomes loose, rattles and comes off while driving. Danger to to other drives behind me. See the number of complaints over here - https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-3rd-gen-2010-2015/863952-exhaust-heat-shield-loose-and-rattling.html

Other Lexus ES model years

Check your 2018 Lexus ES VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus ES at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Lexus VIN