2018 Lexus IS 300
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2018 Lexus IS 300 has 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 13. The most common issue is fuel system problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: when i accelerate from a stop or while moving on a roadway, the engine seems to stall. i'm not talking about the normal turbo spooling stall. it lasts for about 3 to 5 full seconds. when you need power to prevent an accident, you can't afford that time lag, as it could cause your death. the dealer . There is 1 recall issued for this model year.
9
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 6)
FUEL SYSTEM
3 complaints- • WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR WHILE MOVING ON A ROADWAY, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO STALL. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE NORMAL TURBO SPOOLING STALL. IT LASTS FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 FULL SECONDS. WHEN YOU NEED POWER TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT, YOU CAN'T AFFORD THAT TIME LAG, AS IT COULD CAUSE YOUR DEATH. THE DEALER
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LEXUS IS 300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL RE
- • The contact owns a 2018 Lexus IS300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle felt sluggish. The contact then heard an abnormal cranking noise underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. No warni
“WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR WHILE MOVING ON A ROADWAY, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO STALL. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE NORMAL TURBO SPOOLING STALL. IT LASTS FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 FULL SECONDS. WHEN YOU NEED POWER TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT, YOU CAN'T AFFORD THAT TIME LAG, AS IT COULD CAUSE YOUR DEATH. THE DEALER ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
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 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.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Lexus IS 300
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Lexus IS 300
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Lexus IS 300 Service Intervals
Toyota Motor Corporation-recommended 10K interval with 0W-20 synthetic. Hybrid models use conventional service intervals; battery is 10-year warranty.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Lexus New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids
These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2018 IS 300, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lexus dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 9 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR WHILE MOVING ON A ROADWAY, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO STALL. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE NORMAL TURBO SPOOLING STALL. IT LASTS FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 FULL SECONDS. WHEN YOU NEED POWER TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT, YOU CAN'T AFFORD THAT TIME LAG, AS IT COULD CAUSE YOUR DEATH. THE DEALER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: DRIVING ON 285 EAST IN ATLANTA GA 11/29/2018 WHEN MY LEXUS IS 300 SUNROOF EXPLODED. ALL WINDOWS WERE CLOSED TEMPERATURE WAS 37 DEGREES. IT SOUND LIKE A GUN WENT OFF. GLASS FELL FROM THE ROOF AND PIECE OF THE GLASS WENT IN MY LEFT EYE. I MADE APPOINTMENT FOR THE EYE DOCTOR FOR 11/30/2018
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR WHILE MOVING ON A ROADWAY, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO STALL. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE NORMAL TURBO SPOOLING STALL. IT LASTS FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 FULL SECONDS. WHEN YOU NEED POWER TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT, YOU CAN'T AFFORD THAT TIME LAG, AS IT COULD CAUSE YOUR DEATH. THE DEALER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR WHILE MOVING ON A ROADWAY, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO STALL. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE NORMAL TURBO SPOOLING STALL. IT LASTS FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 FULL SECONDS. WHEN YOU NEED POWER TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT, YOU CAN'T AFFORD THAT TIME LAG, AS IT COULD CAUSE YOUR DEATH. THE DEALER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lexus IS 300 — Year Comparison
How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 13
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2018 Lexus IS 300