YearToAvoid

2013 Lexus RX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

27/100

#12 most-complained of 16 RX years

The 2013 Lexus RX has 19 NHTSA complaints, 0 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 27, ranking 12th worst out of 16 model years. It carries a "Good" verdict, with the top problem area being the Electrical System.

Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
3 / 1
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28.5
30 city / 27.5 hwy

Top 2013 Lexus RX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other7 (37%)
  2. Electrical System3 (16%)
  3. Airbags2 (11%)
  4. Brakes2 (11%)
  5. Engine2 (11%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (11%)
  7. Steering2 (11%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (11%)
  9. Lane Departure1 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a crash after the driver lost consciousness, with the incident logged at 105,606 miles.
  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking, leading to a frontal collision without airbag deployment.
  • Some describe the steering wheel jerking hard to one side and locking mid-drive, causing a crash into a parked vehicle.
  • An internal electrical fire was reported in the overhead/sunroof wiring area while the vehicle was parked and unattended.
  • Owners describe a barking noise from the brakes even with the engine off, suspected to involve the regenerative braking system.
  • Some report front control arms tearing, causing the steering wheel to pull left or right at various speeds.
2013 Lexus RX complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2021Aug 2022Sep 2023Oct 2024May 2025Apr 2026
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Jul 2026; peak Oct 2024 (3).

2013 Lexus RX recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2013 Lexus RX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
30 MPG
Highway
27.5 MPG
Combined
28.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
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 RX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Good4029028.5
2012Best012028.5
2013Good2719028.5
2014Best2011028.5
2015Best720028.5

All Lexus RX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Lexus RX reliable?
NHTSA data shows 19 complaints and 0 recalls for the 2013 Lexus RX, giving it a Complaint Index of 27 and a "Good" verdict relative to other RX model years.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 Lexus RX?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 3 complaints, or 16% of all complaints for this year, including one fire report.
Does the 2013 Lexus RX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2013 Lexus RX, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2013 Lexus RX compare to other years?
The 2013 model ranks 12th worst out of 16 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 27, well below years like 2023, 2024, and 2021 which carry "Avoid" verdicts with indexes of 93, 100, and 87.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Lexus RX?
EPA rates the 2013 Lexus RX at 28.5 mpg combined (30 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.