LexusRX350L2018Overview/lexus/rx350l/2018/base/

2018 Lexus RX350L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 RX350L.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2018 Lexus RX350L is an SUV within Lexus's well-established RX family, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and delivering EPA fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. The model carries 24 total owner complaints and two recalls, with the top complaint area categorized simply as "Unknown or Other" — a notably diffuse profile rather than a concentrated, recurring problem area. Within the RX's historically strong reliability record, this model year's modest complaint volume suggests no dominant systemic failure, though the pair of recalls means prospective owners should confirm both have been completed before purchase.

Model year20192018

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/22 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

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter178010P051
Fuel filter7702448120 alt 2321731080
Spark plug9091901263
Battery2880038080
Front wiper blades852120E081 alt 852220E081
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 / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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) · 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.

Based on the provided federal record, the 2018 model year shows

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
32
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

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 32 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 RX350L. 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 RX350L have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the RX350L get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.