LexusRX3502018Overview/lexus/rx350/2018/base/

2018 Lexus RX350

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 RX350.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2018 Lexus RX350 is an SUV equipped with an Automatic (S8) transmission that requires 5.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil to achieve EPA ratings of 20/27/23 mpg. Ownership records for this model year indicate 42 total owner complaints and 1 recall, with the top complaint area categorized as Unknown Or Other. When measured against the model complaint history covering 2004-2019, where reported issues ranged from a low of 26 in 2014 to a high of 225 in 2007, the 2018 data positions the vehicle toward the lower end of the spectrum.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses 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.

Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/65R18, P235/55R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter178010P051
Spark plug9091901263
Battery2880038080
Front wiper blades852220E081 alt 852120E081
Serpentine belt90916A2026
Thermostat1632631050 alt 1603131031
Cabin air filter871390E040

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 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 Capacity3.0-6.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.0 qt
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant Capacity9.0-10.0
Engine Oil0W-20

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61.0 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

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Service checks

RPM28.0-121.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure14.0.
Engine Compression142

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 25 replace
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 114; Rear: 111
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .984; Rear: .650
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0059

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Cap bolts45 ft. lbs
2Cap bolts90 degrees
338.0

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) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
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 RX350 represents a notable improvement in reliability trends within its generation, particularly when contextualized against the federal record. Complaints dropped to 42 in 2018, down from 91 in 2017 and 85 in 2016, marking the lowest figure since 2014 and signaling a mid-cycle refinement. Recalls also decreased to just one, compared to three in each of the two preceding years, while Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) fell to 155—continuing a downward trajectory from the 2016 peak of 213. The top complaint areas—primarily unspecified issues, fuel/propulsion system, and service brakes—lack a clear pattern of systemic failure, and the absence of fire-related complaints further supports its relative stability. While the 2019 model year saw a slight uptick in recalls (four) and complaints (64), the 2018 RX350 sits at a favorable inflection point, balancing maturity with reduced defect reports. **This makes the 2018 a strong used purchase candidate, offering a well-vetted model year with minimal outstanding reliability concerns.**

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
155
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
42
Owner complaints
5 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 42 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other6
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Service Brakes5
Visibility/Wiper3
Structure2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Steering,Suspension1
Engine,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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 155 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0030-24 Rev22025-12-15StructureSome 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
L-SB-0043-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
L-SB-0017-19 Rev12025-02-07StructureSome 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of…
L-SB-0017-19 Rev12025-02-07StructureSome 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of…
L-SB-0030-24 Rev12024-07-29StructureSome 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…

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 RX350. 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 RX350 take?

5.0 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 RX350 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RX350 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.