LexusRC3502018Overview/lexus/rc350/2018/base/

2018 Lexus RC350

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 RC350.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2018 Lexus RC350 is a rear-wheel-drive passenger car equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and requires 0W-20 engine oil, achieving EPA-rated fuel economy of 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. This model year falls within the RC350's production run with relatively low owner complaint volume, though two recalls have been issued with the most frequently cited concern involving vehicle speed control. With only five total complaints recorded across all categories and no widespread mechanical failures reported, the 2018 RC350 demonstrates the model's strong reliability trajectory through this generation.

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 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.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified
Tire size235/45R18, 235/40R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0-J; Optional: 9.0-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter1780131170
Fuel filter7702453100 alt 7702430160
Spark plug9091901263 alt 9091901249
Battery2880038100
Front wiper blades8522224150 alt 8521253100
Serpentine belt90916A2026
Thermostat1632631050 alt 1603131020
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
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, 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 Capacity2WD
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity2WD
Power Steering FluidEPS
Transfer Case Fluid75W-85 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.0

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

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)150 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerLexus
Spark Plug Gap.039
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

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

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 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Spark 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.

Across the 2016–2017 federal record for the Lexus RC350, complaints are very low (1 and 2), recalls are zero, investigations hold steady at 1 per year, and TSBs ease from 180 to 156. The 2018 model sits at the high end of that visible arc: its listed complaint categories account for five reports, up from two the year before, led by Vehicle Speed Control with two reports and single reports touching structure/brakes, engine, and other areas, plus one crash-related complaint and no fire complaints. Because the supplied record ends in 2017, no 2018 recall, investigation, or TSB figures are available for direct comparison, and there are no later model years to judge whether the complaint rise continues or reverses. The overall trend through 2018 is therefore a modest uptick in low-volume complaints rather than a systemic warning. Bottom line: the 2018 RC350 looks like a reasonable used-car buy on this federal evidence, but get a pre-purchase inspection that pays particular attention to speed control and brake function.

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 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 RC350. 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 RC350 take?

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

Does the 2018 RC350 have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the RC350 get?

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