Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the body and structure. The 5 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/5 checked
2018 Lexus IS: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2018's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Lexus IS. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 mpg |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, RWD | 22–23 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Lexus IS, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The glass sunroof panel shatters without warning while the car is moving. Drivers describe a loud bang like a gunshot, followed by broken glass over the cabin. Both reports involve highway driving with the windows closed and nothing nearby that could have hit the roof. Falling glass is a real injury risk: 1 of the 2 complaints reports glass striking the driver's eye. A sudden blast like this can also startle a driver at speed. The reports give no mileage, so no mileage pattern shows up.
Excerpts from complaints IS owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
I was driving down the highway at 70 mph and it was windy at the same time. Out of no where my sunroof window exploded shattering the glass. Luckily I usually keep the cover close. It sounded a gun shot that went off. There was nothing around me that would come down and break the window of the sunroof. It just happened out of no where.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2022
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 IS years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the fifth model year of the IS's third generation (2014–2023).
Lexus updated the IS for 2020, so a 2018 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2020 (not on a 2018)
Recall repairs are free at any Lexus dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Lexus IS, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
