Is the 2018 Lexus NX300 reliable?

The 2018 Lexus NX300 has 10 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Lexus NX300?

Top problems: OTHER (3 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (2 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Lexus NX300?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Contact any Lexus dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Lexus NX300?

The 2018 Lexus NX300 gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Lexus NX300?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Lexus NX300 is approximately $2,124/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Lexus NX300

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Lexus NX300 has 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 10. The most common issue is other problems (30% of all complaints), specifically: serious safety issues involving lexus nx300 2018: need urgent recall: toyota usa leadership released all lexus nx300 2018 cars to the market with incomplete reverse camera which is a life threatening technical difficulty resulting in human fatalities. however, mr. david christ, the vp of toyota usa. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 7)

OTHER

3 complaints

30%

• SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVING LEXUS NX300 2018: NEED URGENT RECALL: TOYOTA USA LEADERSHIP RELEASED ALL LEXUS NX300 2018 CARS TO THE MARKET WITH INCOMPLETE REVERSE CAMERA WHICH IS A LIFE THREATENING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY RESULTING IN HUMAN FATALITIES. HOWEVER, MR. DAVID CHRIST, THE VP OF TOYOTA USA
• ABNORMAL, DRAGGING, NOISE THAT FEELS LIKE A BRAKE PROBLEM, COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEN BRAKING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC - NOISE LOUDER WHEN ON DOWNGRADE ON WHEN THERE'S MORE PRESSURE.ALSO AT TIMES LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN REVERSING AND APPLYING SERVICE BRAKE. DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS A NORMAL NOISE,
• ISSUE: BOTTOM DOOR PANELS ACCUMULATE AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF DIRT AND SNOW. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DOOR ACCUMULATES DIRT IN THE GAP BETWEEN THE WHEEL ARCH TRIM AND DOOR.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVING LEXUS NX300 2018: NEED URGENT RECALL: TOYOTA USA LEADERSHIP RELEASED ALL LEXUS NX300 2018 CARS TO THE MARKET WITH INCOMPLETE REVERSE CAMERA WHICH IS A LIFE THREATENING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY RESULTING IN HUMAN FATALITIES. HOWEVER, MR. DAVID CHRIST, THE VP OF TOYOTA USA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP04/11/2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 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 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Lexus NX300

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based 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 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Lexus NX300

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,124

Full coverage / month

$177

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+27%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2124

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus NX300 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

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 NX300, 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 10 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVING LEXUS NX300 2018: NEED URGENT RECALL: TOYOTA USA LEADERSHIP RELEASED ALL LEXUS NX300 2018 CARS TO THE MARKET WITH INCOMPLETE REVERSE CAMERA WHICH IS A LIFE THREATENING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY RESULTING IN HUMAN FATALITIES. HOWEVER, MR. DAVID CHRIST, THE VP OF TOYOTA USA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: ABNORMAL, DRAGGING, NOISE THAT FEELS LIKE A BRAKE PROBLEM, COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEN BRAKING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC - NOISE LOUDER WHEN ON DOWNGRADE ON WHEN THERE'S MORE PRESSURE.ALSO AT TIMES LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN REVERSING AND APPLYING SERVICE BRAKE. DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS A NORMAL NOISE,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION HAPPENED WITH THIS NEW 2018 NX AS WELL AS MY OLD 2015 NX200T AS WELL. IT HAPPENED ONCE SO FAR TO EACH. ONLY ACCELERATED ABOUT 3-4 MPH, AS I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MPH GOING INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. WHEN IT HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO IN MY 2015, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A ONE T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVING LEXUS NX300 2018: NEED URGENT RECALL: TOYOTA USA LEADERSHIP RELEASED ALL LEXUS NX300 2018 CARS TO THE MARKET WITH INCOMPLETE REVERSE CAMERA WHICH IS A LIFE THREATENING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY RESULTING IN HUMAN FATALITIES. HOWEVER, MR. DAVID CHRIST, THE VP OF TOYOTA USA
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)