Is the 2013 Lexus IS 250 reliable?

The 2013 Lexus IS 250 has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: WHEELS problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Lexus IS 250?

Top problems: WHEELS (2 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (2 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Lexus IS 250?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 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 IS 250?

The 2013 Lexus IS 250 gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Lexus IS 250?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Lexus IS 250 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 IS 250

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2013 Lexus IS 250 has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 38. The most common issue is wheels problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: the problem that many is250 lexus owners are having with the front tires wearing out or tearing from the inside. i have found that the issue is the suspension where the front tire and a cotter pin meet every time you hit a bump or pot hole. this has caused great damage to both front tires to the ext. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

WHEELS

2 complaints

25%

• THE PROBLEM THAT MANY IS250 LEXUS OWNERS ARE HAVING WITH THE FRONT TIRES WEARING OUT OR TEARING FROM THE INSIDE. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THE SUSPENSION WHERE THE FRONT TIRE AND A COTTER PIN MEET EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE. THIS HAS CAUSED GREAT DAMAGE TO BOTH FRONT TIRES TO THE EXT
• WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. A METAL SCRAPING NOISE OCCURS. THIS HAS BEEN FIXED SEVERAL TIMES BUT KEEPS OCCURING MORE OFTEN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION. AND I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE SHIELD. AS IF SOMETHING IS PRE

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

“THE PROBLEM THAT MANY IS250 LEXUS OWNERS ARE HAVING WITH THE FRONT TIRES WEARING OUT OR TEARING FROM THE INSIDE. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THE SUSPENSION WHERE THE FRONT TIRE AND A COTTER PIN MEET EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE. THIS HAS CAUSED GREAT DAMAGE TO BOTH FRONT TIRES TO THE EXT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE09/01/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Lexus IS 250

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/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 IS 250

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 IS 250 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 IS 250, 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

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~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:

☐
WHEELS: THE PROBLEM THAT MANY IS250 LEXUS OWNERS ARE HAVING WITH THE FRONT TIRES WEARING OUT OR TEARING FROM THE INSIDE. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THE SUSPENSION WHERE THE FRONT TIRE AND A COTTER PIN MEET EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE. THIS HAS CAUSED GREAT DAMAGE TO BOTH FRONT TIRES TO THE EXT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS IS 250C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V024000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: THE PROBLEM THAT MANY IS250 LEXUS OWNERS ARE HAVING WITH THE FRONT TIRES WEARING OUT OR TEARING FROM THE INSIDE. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THE SUSPENSION WHERE THE FRONT TIRE AND A COTTER PIN MEET EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE. THIS HAS CAUSED GREAT DAMAGE TO BOTH FRONT TIRES TO THE EXT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE ENGINE COULD STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING BECAUSE OF MISFIRE. MY LEXUS 250 ONLY 40K MILEAGE AND ALWAYS DO PROPER MAINTENANCE TO THE ENGINE EVERY 3000 MILE. I DO RESEARCH THAT LEXUS IS 250 CAUSE CARBON BUILD UP BECAUSE OF THE WRONG DESIGN OF THE DIRECT INJECTION. HERE'S THE YOUTUBE LINK: HTTPS:
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)