2018 Lexus RC: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2018 Lexus RC at 19–26 mpg combined across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for this model year.
Safety recalls
3
EPA combined mpg
19–26
NHTSA overall rating
—
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as RC 300, RC F.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Lexus dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2018 Lexus RC recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2018 Lexus RC, newest first.
Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump
NHTSA 26V222000Reported Apr 8, 2026
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 26LB05/26LA05)
Units affected
9,139 (estimate)
Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB05 and 26LA05.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 20TB02/20TA02/20LB01)
Units affected
1,830,752 (estimate)
Problem
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…
Risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 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.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. J2B/JLB)
Units affected
9,905 (estimate)
Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lexus GS F, 2018 LC500, and 2015-2018 Lexus RC F vehicles, equipped with 5.0L V8 2UR-GSE engines with two high pressure fuel pumps. Specific operating conditions may result in damage to the pulsation damper in one of the high pressure fuel pumps, possibly causing a fatigue crack in the fuel pump cover.
Risk
A cracked cover may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 2, 2018. Owners may contact Lexus customer service 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J2B and JLB.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2018 Lexus RC fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2018 Lexus RC crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2018 Lexus RC NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2018 Lexus RC 300 2 DR AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
2018 Lexus RC 300 2 DR RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
2018 Lexus RC F 2 DR RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2018 Lexus RC owner complaints
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Lexus RC, most recently on Feb 5, 2023. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2018 Lexus RC complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Service brakes
1
Vehicle speed control
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
