BestCarRank
Lexus

2013 Lexus RX 350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Lexus RX 350 has 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 48. The most common issue is brakes problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving on i-59 north with wife as passenger with radar cruise control set at 70 mph approaching departure exit. i tapped the brake pedal to release the cc and it did not release. thinking i had not tapped it hard enough, i made the turn and tapped the brake pedal harder. the cc did not releas. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 12 crash reports 22 injuries

48

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

9 complaints
19%
  • I WAS DRIVING ON I-59 NORTH WITH WIFE AS PASSENGER WITH RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH APPROACHING DEPARTURE EXIT. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE CC AND IT DID NOT RELEASE. THINKING I HAD NOT TAPPED IT HARD ENOUGH, I MADE THE TURN AND TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER. THE CC DID NOT RELEAS
  • WAS DRIVING IN SNOW 10 MPH WHEN ANTILOCK BRAKES QUIT WORKING. LEXUS SAID IT WAS THE BRAKER ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
  • THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE CAR SHOOK WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING IT BEFORE AND IT WAS MORE SUBTLE BUT THIS TIME IT WAS NOT. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES I WAS NOT SURE IF THE BRAKES WOULD STOP THE CAR IN TIME. AFTER THAT TRIP I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL SO I BROUGHT THE VEH
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

I WAS DRIVING ON I-59 NORTH WITH WIFE AS PASSENGER WITH RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH APPROACHING DEPARTURE EXIT. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE CC AND IT DID NOT RELEASE. THINKING I HAD NOT TAPPED IT HARD ENOUGH, I MADE THE TURN AND TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER. THE CC DID NOT RELEAS

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Lexus RX 350

Based on 39 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 63K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
10
30-60K
7
60-100K
12
100-150K
10
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 20K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 99K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 RX 350

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,286
Per month
$191
Per mile
19.1¢
MPG
21
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,920/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
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 RX 350

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.
Full coverage / year
$2,079
Full coverage / month
$173
Liability only / year
$732
vs US avg
+24%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$2079

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus RX 350 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 RX 350, 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
TRANSMISSION(~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 48 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • BRAKES: I WAS DRIVING ON I-59 NORTH WITH WIFE AS PASSENGER WITH RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH APPROACHING DEPARTURE EXIT. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE CC AND IT DID NOT RELEASE. THINKING I HAD NOT TAPPED IT HARD ENOUGH, I MADE THE TURN AND TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER. THE CC DID NOT RELEAS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE, JUST LIKE THE RECALL ISSUED TO 2004 LEXUS MODELS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SPEED CONTROL: I WAS DRIVING ON I-59 NORTH WITH WIFE AS PASSENGER WITH RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH APPROACHING DEPARTURE EXIT. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE CC AND IT DID NOT RELEASE. THINKING I HAD NOT TAPPED IT HARD ENOUGH, I MADE THE TURN AND TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER. THE CC DID NOT RELEAS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: I WAS DRIVING ON I-59 NORTH WITH WIFE AS PASSENGER WITH RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH APPROACHING DEPARTURE EXIT. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE CC AND IT DID NOT RELEASE. THINKING I HAD NOT TAPPED IT HARD ENOUGH, I MADE THE TURN AND TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER. THE CC DID NOT RELEAS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Lexus RX 350 — Year Comparison

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

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
48
Recalls
0
Fire reports
4
Crash reports
12
Injury reports
22
Segment avg
48

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Lexus RX 350