LexusIS3502018Overview/lexus/is350/2018/base/

2018 Lexus IS350

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 IS350.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2018 Lexus IS350 is a passenger car featuring an Automatic (S8) transmission and 2WD. This model utilizes 0W-20 viscosity oil and achieves an EPA-rated fuel economy of 20/28/23 mpg. With five total owner complaints centered on vehicle speed control and two recalls, this model year sits near the low end of a 2011-2019 history that saw complaints peak at 23 in 2011 and drop to a minimum of one in 2017.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity2WDOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/45R17, P225/40R18, P255/35R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5, 8.0, 8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter1780131170
Fuel filter7702453100 alt 2321731080
Spark plug9091901263 alt 9091901249
Battery2880038100
Front wiper blades8522253090 alt 8521253100
Serpentine belt90916A2026
Thermostat1632631050 alt 1603131071
Cabin air filter8713930100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 2WD of 0W-20 engine oil, API · GL-5 · SAE 90 · SAE 80W · SAE 80W · 75W-85 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity1.7
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilAPI · GL-5 · SAE 90 · SAE 80W · SAE 80W · 75W-85
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant Capacity9.9

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts243.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts62.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs81.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub214 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)150 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.36 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.38-3.89 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24

Service checks

RPM28.0-121.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100; Rear: 92
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: .650
Maximum Rotor Runout.002
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Cap bolts45 ft. lbs
2Cap bolts90 degrees
319.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miFloor Mat (inspect)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Lexus IS350 represents the lowest complaint year in the entire generation, with zero consumer complaints filed—the culmination of a steady decline from 23 complaints in 2011 to just one in 2017. Recall activity at this model year remains minimal at one recall, continuing the downward trajectory from the seven recalls in 2011, while TSBs have fallen to 96 from a peak of 286 in 2013, indicating the vehicle's issues have been substantially addressed through the production run. The single investigation open since 2011 remains unchanged, and the lone crash complaint with zero fire incidents further underscores the model's stability at this stage. The target year's top complaint areas—Vehicle Speed Control, Service Brakes, and Engine—are each represented by just one or two isolated reports, none of which indicate a systemic defect. This data strongly suggests 2018 is the optimal model year within this generation to purchase, as it benefits from the longest period of issue resolution while exhibiting the cleanest complaint record of the entire lineup.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
75
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Vehicle Speed Control2
Structure,Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes1
Engine1
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V682000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 04/11/2020

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… 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…

20V012000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 13/01/2020

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 75 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
LSB0005232023-02-09Fuel System, GasolineTSB: Some 2013 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON…
23LE012023-02-09Fuel System, GasolineDL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was…
Safety Recall 222022-04-13EquipmentLexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
L-SB-0004-222022-02-24Air BagsTSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may…
L-SB-0002-222022-01-28Electrical SystemTSB: This Service Bulletin includes guidelines meant to help determine whether to repair…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific IS350. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 IS350 take?

2WD of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 IS350 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the IS350 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.