Is the 2013 Lexus ES300 reliable?

The 2013 Lexus ES300 has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Lexus ES300?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (2 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (2 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Lexus ES300?

No recalls have been issued for the 2013 Lexus ES300.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Lexus ES300?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Lexus ES300 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 ES300

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Lexus ES300 has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 8. The most common issue is visibility problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: moon roof exploded outward with a extremely loud noise causing me to pull over on the side of the road thinking i had major damage to the vehicle. as soon as i got out of the vehicle, i noticed the damage to the moon roof which had shattered in an outward direction. a large amount of glass was lay.

5 crash reports 6 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

25%

• MOON ROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD WITH A EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THINKING I HAD MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THE DAMAGE TO THE MOON ROOF WHICH HAD SHATTERED IN AN OUTWARD DIRECTION. A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS WAS LAY
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES300 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT LIGHTS AND OTHER OBJECTS THAT WERE VIEWED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WERE EXTREMELY DISTORTED AND CAUSED SEVERE EYE STRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE DISTORTION WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MOON ROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD WITH A EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THINKING I HAD MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THE DAMAGE TO THE MOON ROOF WHICH HAD SHATTERED IN AN OUTWARD DIRECTION. A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS WAS LAY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Lexus ES300

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 ES300 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 ES300, 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

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: MOON ROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD WITH A EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THINKING I HAD MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THE DAMAGE TO THE MOON ROOF WHICH HAD SHATTERED IN AN OUTWARD DIRECTION. A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS WAS LAY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: CAR HAS BRAKE PEDAL CHARACTERISTIC WHICH ALLOWS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO REACH FULL STOP OF THE END OF FULL MECHANICAL TRAVEL (VS. HYDRAULICALLY LIMITED BY BRAKE PRESSURE) AND THE BRAKES ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO APPLY MORE BRAKING FORCE. THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS CAR MODEL IS DIRECTLY LINKED WITH THE CAUSA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES 300H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS APPEARED DIM AND MADE DRIVING AT NIGHT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: CAR HAS BRAKE PEDAL CHARACTERISTIC WHICH ALLOWS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO REACH FULL STOP OF THE END OF FULL MECHANICAL TRAVEL (VS. HYDRAULICALLY LIMITED BY BRAKE PRESSURE) AND THE BRAKES ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO APPLY MORE BRAKING FORCE. THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS CAR MODEL IS DIRECTLY LINKED WITH THE CAUSA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Lexus ES300 — Year Comparison

How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2013

8Below Average

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints: 8
Recalls: 0
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 5
Injury reports: 6
Segment avg: 8

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Lexus ES300

Compare With

2013 Ford C-MAX231 complaints 2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI65 complaints 2013 Ford C-MAX HYBRID179 complaints 2013 Ford E-15029 complaints