Is the 2013 Lexus IS 250 reliable?

Among IS 250 model years, 2013 has the second-lowest complaint index at 10 and carries a Best verdict, with only 5 complaints logged with NHTSA.

What problems does the 2013 Lexus IS 250 have?

NHTSA data shows complaints spread across airbags, engine, suspension, and steering, each with 2 or fewer reports. The top problem area is airbags, tied to a crash where they failed to deploy.

Does the 2013 Lexus IS 250 have any recalls?

Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 IS 250, both involving Takata airbag inflators, neither marked do-not-drive.

What year Lexus IS 250 should I avoid?

Based on complaint index, 2006 and 2007 rank worst with indexes of 90 and 100 and Avoid verdicts, while 2013 ranks near the best with an index of 10.

How does the 2013 IS 250 compare to other years?

It ranks 10th of 11 years worst-first, better than every year except 2015, which has the lowest complaint index at 20 and a Best verdict.

2013 Lexus IS 250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2013 Lexus IS 250 ranks 10th out of 11 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 10 and a Best verdict. It has 5 complaints, 2 recalls, and no fires or deaths reported to NHTSA.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index: 10/100; #10 of 11 IS 250 years
Verdict: Best; vs. other years of this model
Complaints: 5; unique NHTSA reports
Recalls: 2; distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes: 1; reported in complaints
Fires: 0
Injuries: 1
Top issue: Airbags
Best nearby year: 2015; rated Best

NHTSA overall rating: 4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG: 23; 21 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths: 1 / 0

2013 Lexus IS 250 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

NHTSA 19V005000Jan 9, 2019Airbags1,299,448 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
NHTSA 18V024000Jan 9, 2018Airbags628,018 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

2013 Lexus IS 250 fuel economy and fuel cost

City: 21 MPG
Highway: 27 MPG
Combined: 23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA): $3,450; 15,000 mi/yr
Fuel: Premium
Current regular gas: $4.32/gal; national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other IS 250 years

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2011	Good	40	30	4	22
2012	Good	30	17	4	22
2013	Best	10	5	2	23
2014	Caution	50	35	0	24
2015	Best	20	16	0	24

All Lexus IS 250 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Lexus IS 250 reliable?: Among IS 250 model years, 2013 has the second-lowest complaint index at 10 and carries a Best verdict, with only 5 complaints logged with NHTSA.
What problems does the 2013 Lexus IS 250 have?: NHTSA data shows complaints spread across airbags, engine, suspension, and steering, each with 2 or fewer reports. The top problem area is airbags, tied to a crash where they failed to deploy.
Does the 2013 Lexus IS 250 have any recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 IS 250, both involving Takata airbag inflators, neither marked do-not-drive.
What year Lexus IS 250 should I avoid?: Based on complaint index, 2006 and 2007 rank worst with indexes of 90 and 100 and Avoid verdicts, while 2013 ranks near the best with an index of 10.
How does the 2013 IS 250 compare to other years?: It ranks 10th of 11 years worst-first, better than every year except 2015, which has the lowest complaint index at 20 and a Best verdict.