LexusRX450hL2018Overview/lexus/rx450hl/2018/base/

2018 Lexus RX450hL

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 RX450hL.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2018 Lexus RX450hL is a midsize luxury SUV built on the refined hybrid platform that pairs a gasoline engine with electric motors, delivering an EPA rating of 29/28/29 mpg and a smooth AV‑S6 automatic transmission. Its hybrid powertrain balances power and efficiency, while the extended wheelbase provides ample rear-seat space for families. With zero recalls and only 24 total owner complaints—most falling into the “Unknown or Other” category—the model year maintains Lexus’s reputation for dependable reliability, underscoring its suitability for long‑term ownership.

Model year20192018

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy29/28/29 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 9672335028. 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 / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/55R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter178010P090
Fuel filter2330031241 alt 2321731090
Spark plug9091901263
Battery2880031293
Front wiper blades852220E081 alt 852120E081
Serpentine belt9091602729
Thermostat1632631050 alt 1603131040
Cabin air filter871390E040

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined29 / 28 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts243.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts62.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs81.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Service checks

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

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
184.0 inch lbs.84 in
2144.0 inch lbs.144 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
290.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290.0
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
127 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
2Turn 90 degrees90 degrees
3Turn 90 degrees90 degrees
422
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Cap bolts45 ft. lbs
2Cap bolts90 degrees
338.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
1Cap bolts45 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Cap bolts45 ft. lbs
2Cap bolts90 degrees
319.0
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) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (inspect coolant 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.

Federal data positions the 2018 model year at the stable onset of this generation’s federal record, with 24 complaints and zero recalls comparing favorably against the 2019 model’s 33 complaints and one recall. The trajectory shows a clear escalation pattern, as complaint volume rises into the subsequent model year and safety recalls emerge only after 2018, indicating the target year predates the unspecified issues that necessitated the 2019 campaign. The 2018 dataset reflects diffuse concern distribution across diverse systems—“Unknown Or Other” and “Service Brakes” each account for four complaints, with “Structure” and “Fuel/Propulsion System” at two—alongside only two crash-related filings and zero fire incidents, suggesting no concentrated high-severity defect pattern. With no federal investigations, zero recalls, and markedly lower reported incident volume than the immediately following year, the 2018 model represents the more favorable risk profile within this two-year arc. Consequently, the 2018 RX450hL stands as the preferable purchase option in this federal record, offering the lowest complaint exposure and no recall liability relative to the 2019 model.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
27
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
24
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 24 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other4
Service Brakes4
Structure2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Steering,Suspension1
Engine,Back Over Prevention,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Engine1
Visibility/Wiper1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 27 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 RX450hL. 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

Does the 2018 RX450hL have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RX450hL get?

EPA figures are 29 city / 28 highway / 29 combined mpg.