Is the 2013 Lexus ES350 reliable?

The 2013 Lexus ES350 has 29 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Lexus ES350?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (5 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (4 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Lexus ES350?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING. Contact any Lexus dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Lexus ES350?

The 2013 Lexus ES350 gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Lexus ES350?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Lexus ES350 is approximately $1,853/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 ES350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Lexus ES350 has 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is visibility problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: we purchased this vehicle as a certified pre-owned in late june 2015. the windshield has a distortion that is exacerbated at night. headlights and rear tail lamps appear in triple on vehicles. on dark/dim lit roads, the oncoming traffic's headlights appears in vertical multiples and is a safety h. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

8 crash reports 5 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

5 complaints

17%

• WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN LATE JUNE 2015. THE WINDSHIELD HAS A DISTORTION THAT IS EXACERBATED AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHTS AND REAR TAIL LAMPS APPEAR IN TRIPLE ON VEHICLES. ON DARK/DIM LIT ROADS, THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC'S HEADLIGHTS APPEARS IN VERTICAL MULTIPLES AND IS A SAFETY H
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND GLASS ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED OR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WINTER PARK (305 N SEMORAN BLVD, WINTER PARK, FL 32792, (407) 678-2000) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC A
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN EXPLOSION LIKE SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE

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

“WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN LATE JUNE 2015. THE WINDSHIELD HAS A DISTORTION THAT IS EXACERBATED AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHTS AND REAR TAIL LAMPS APPEAR IN TRIPLE ON VEHICLES. ON DARK/DIM LIT ROADS, THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC'S HEADLIGHTS APPEARS IN VERTICAL MULTIPLES AND IS A SAFETY H”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Lexus ES350

Based on 29 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 26K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 5 reports

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.

Recalls (1)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING03/11/2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.

Risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Lexus ES350

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/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 ES350

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

$1,853

Full coverage / month

$154

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+11%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1853

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus ES350 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 ES350, 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 29 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN LATE JUNE 2015. THE WINDSHIELD HAS A DISTORTION THAT IS EXACERBATED AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHTS AND REAR TAIL LAMPS APPEAR IN TRIPLE ON VEHICLES. ON DARK/DIM LIT ROADS, THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC'S HEADLIGHTS APPEARS IN VERTICAL MULTIPLES AND IS A SAFETY H
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF ANOTHER DRIVE JETTING OUT IN FRONT. CAR IMPACTED AT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER MOUNT, HOOD AND DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL. IMPACT TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS THE REAR QUARTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAGS F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES OR SHIFTING INTO PARK. THE FAILURE CEASED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE BR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES OR SHIFTING INTO PARK. THE FAILURE CEASED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE BR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)