Is the 2013 Lexus ES reliable?

The 2013 Lexus ES has 48 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Lexus ES?

Top problems: BRAKES (10 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (7 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Lexus ES?

No recalls have been issued for the 2013 Lexus ES.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Lexus ES?

The 2013 Lexus ES gets 40 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1200. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Lexus ES?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Lexus ES is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Lexus ES

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Lexus ES has 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.7x the segment average of 18. The most common issue is brakes problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: i was parking my car on a commercial complex. i am pressing on the brake as the car slows down. when i further pressed on the brake, the car instead of taking a complete stop, accelerated. it hit the building in front of me. when trying to back up, it accelerated again in reverse. i pressed the.

4 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

10 complaints

21%

• I WAS PARKING MY CAR ON A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX. I AM PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. WHEN I FURTHER PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR INSTEAD OF TAKING A COMPLETE STOP, ACCELERATED. IT HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP, IT ACCELERATED AGAIN IN REVERSE. I PRESSED THE
• MY 2013 LEXUS ES 300H HAS GOT A WEAK BRAKES, SOMETIMES WOULD MAKE SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN YOU HOLD THEM AND FEW TIMES WOULDN'T BRAKE WHEN BRAKING ON A BIT ROUGH ROAD. I WAS AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY AND WENT TO LEXUS DEALER TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC. THEY SAID THAT MY CAR NEEDS A BRAKE ACTUATOR TO BE REPLACED W
• THE PCS (PRE COLLISION SYSTEM) WARNING ICON FLASHED IN THE DISPLAY INDICATING THAT THE PCS WAS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY. PULLED OVER TO LOOK IN THE OWNERS MANUAL ONLY TO FIND THAT THE MANUAL TOLD ME TO STOP. WE PROCEEDED TO RETURN HOME WITHOUT EXPERIENCING A

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I WAS PARKING MY CAR ON A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX. I AM PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. WHEN I FURTHER PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR INSTEAD OF TAKING A COMPLETE STOP, ACCELERATED. IT HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP, IT ACCELERATED AGAIN IN REVERSE. I PRESSED THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Lexus ES

Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 45K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Lexus ES

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,200

Per month

$100

Per mile

10.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,200/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,231/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Lexus ES

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus ES Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Toyota Motor Corporation-recommended 10K interval with 0W-20 synthetic. Hybrid models use conventional service intervals; battery is 10-year warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lexus New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids

These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2013 ES, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lexus dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 48 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: I WAS PARKING MY CAR ON A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX. I AM PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. WHEN I FURTHER PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR INSTEAD OF TAKING A COMPLETE STOP, ACCELERATED. IT HIT THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP, IT ACCELERATED AGAIN IN REVERSE. I PRESSED THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS THE BATTERY HAS DIED ON THIS CAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS AUGUST 2014, JUST ONE MONTH PAST THE CAR ONE YEAR MARK. THE SECOND, THAT IS WHY I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT, IS ALMOST ONE YEAR TO THE DAY OF THE LAST BATTERY FAILURE. WHILE THE FIRST MAY BE WRITTEN OFF AS A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: LEXUS ES350 STALL OR HESITATION PROBLEM ON 2013 MODEL. MY CAR FREQUENTLY BUT INTERMITTENTLY HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR ROLLING STOP POSITION. I'VE HAD IT ABOUT 8 MONTHS AND IT HAS PROBABLY STALLED AT LEAST 100 TIMES. TULSA'S LEXUS DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK VIA KEY FOB ON 3 DOORS. LEXUS WANTS $800 PER DOOR TO FIX. HAVE MANUALLY LOCKED CAR FOR ONE YEAR; NOW CANNOT MANUALLY LOCK DOOR AS THE MANUAL LOCK NO LONGER LOCKS. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE AS CAR REMAINS UNLOCKED AT ALL TIMES.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)