YearToAvoid

2013 Lexus RX350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2013 Lexus RX350 has a complaint index of 78, ranking 5th worst among 19 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners reported 59 complaints led by engine issues (25%), with a median failure mileage of 45,500 and one brake-related recall.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
78/100
#5 of 19 RX350 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
59
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
10
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
11
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 25 hwy
Injuries / deaths
11 / 1

Top 2013 Lexus RX350 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine15 (25%)
  2. Brakes13 (22%)
  3. Electrical System11 (19%)
  4. Other10 (17%)
  5. Structure & Body10 (17%)
  6. Airbags6 (10%)
  7. Steering5 (8%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain4 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
  10. Fuel System2 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple frontal or side-impact crashes, including one at 70 mph and another at 30 mph.
  • Some drivers reported sudden unintended acceleration or loss of braking control, including a parking-brake release that caused a rollaway down a driveway.
  • Engine compartment fires occurred while driving at normal highway speed, with smoke appearing before flames.
  • One owner reported the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into reverse and could not be stopped even with the brake pedal pressed.
  • An electrical fire started in the engine area while driving on the highway, forcing the driver to pull over.
2013 Lexus RX350 complaints: complaints filed per month4Mar 2013Oct 2014Jan 2016Apr 2017Jul 2018May 2019Jan 2020Jan 2021
59 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2013 to Mar 2023; peak Jun 2020 (4).

2013 Lexus RX350 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V054000Feb 12, 2014Brakes261,114 vehicles

    Electronic stability control (esc)

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.

    Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

2013 Lexus RX350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
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 RX350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Caution6130120.5
2012Caution7233120.5
2013Avoid7859121
2014Good2815021
2015Caution5042121

All Lexus RX350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Lexus RX350 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2013 RX350 a complaint index of 78, the 5th worst of 19 model years for this model, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other RX350 years.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 Lexus RX350?
Engine complaints lead with 15 reports, 25% of all complaints for the year, including cases involving fire, at a median mileage of 43,000.
Does the 2013 Lexus RX350 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 14V054000) covers a brake system software issue in the Skid Control electronic control unit; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2013 RX350 compare to other years?
The 2013 model's complaint index of 78 is worse than 2011 (61), 2012 (72), 2014 (28, rated Good), and 2020 (17, rated Best), placing 2013 among the higher-risk years for this model.
What mileage do problems typically appear at on the 2013 RX350?
The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 45,500, though brake issues surfaced earlier, at a median of 20,650 miles.

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.