RoadVitals

2013 Lexus ES Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Jul 9, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
6
Reports on file since May 7, 2013

What this page shows

Our database holds 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Lexus ES. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 33 · page 1 of 2

Electrical
Filed Jul 9, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Lexus ES350. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale on Facebook Marketplace. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000; however, a Carfax vehicle history reported the mileage at 199,000.

NHTSA ID
11749260
Incident
Jul 9, 2026
Mileage
199,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 2, 2026

Lexus of Sarasota Fl confirmed a Faulty brake actuators causing brake , skid control and ABS light to come on which created an immediate and extremely dangerous driving situation as I was on an interstate highway driving at 70 mph. It’s been confirmed that multiply Lexus models and years have had numerous brake actuator . Multiple failures have been documented yet ONLY a few were given recall status!!This is outrageous and an immediate review of this oversight needs to be addressed

NHTSA ID
11714970
Incident
Jan 31, 2026
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jan 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Lexus ES 300H. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The service ABS, Brakes, and hazard warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was determined. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11711407
Incident
Jan 10, 2026
Mileage
130,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 12, 2025
Crash reported

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 15V728000, Report Date: 11/3/ 2015, Vehicles Affected: 30,812 Consequence: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash. What To Do: Remedy parts for a permanent fix for this issue are not yet available. On 11/18, 2015, Toyota sent owners an interim notification and dealers will temporarily disable the PCS. When the improved PCS components are available for the permanent remedy, owners will be mailed a notification. These repairs will be performed free. Owners may contact Toyota 888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E. Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling certain model year and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured 6/18/2012 to 7/6/2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object. To see if your specific vehicle is affected 1-800-255-3987 or nhtsa.gov NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:19V005000, Report Date: 1/9/2019, Vehicles Affected: 1,299,448 Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. What To Do: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. 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." Toyoto.

NHTSA ID
11686822
Incident
Aug 15, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Sep 4, 2025

Lexus recall 2010-2015 models because pain is peaking. My car is a 2913 es 350 and the paint is pealing but Lexus do not want to fix it. It is the same problem as the recall Lexus because paint is peaking. What can I do or what can you do

NHTSA ID
11685167
Incident
Jan 15, 2025
Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 2025

As a dominos delivery driver, I am constantly braking in neighborhoods, on main roads, highways, parking lots, you name it. It’s important for me as a safe driver to be able to rely on my vehicle to perform properly. Recently, I’ve had multiple failures to stop as the code “c1391” has come up and has intermittently shut off proper control of my braking system. Upon reading of the faulty brake system causing this code and my vehicle listed (2013 Lexus es300h) as part of the list of vehicles affected, I knew I needed to write in as well to have my car fixed of this problem that is endangering myself and others on the road.

NHTSA ID
11681600
Incident
Aug 12, 2025
Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2025

Brakes malfunctioned almost resulted in a life threatening car accident. Car is at the Lexus dealership for repair. The have confirmed problem. Yes there were warning lights moments before needing the brakes and it not working whn pushed.

NHTSA ID
11635965
Incident
Dec 31, 2024
Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 2024

While driving on the highway electronic brake boost suddenly failed, leading to brake malfunction. This is common malfunction of this model. This leads to potentially hazardous situation when in emergency or even regular traffic breaking car would not break as expected.

NHTSA ID
11613251
Incident
Aug 23, 2024
Visibility
Filed Jul 22, 2024

Roughly 6-12 months ago the dashboard on my Lexus started to melt and become sticky, creating a glare on my windshield and impeding my ability to see the road causing dangerous situations. Both daytime and nighttime driving have been affected by this defect. I’ve contacted the local dealership, but they confirmed that no recalls are available and that the only solution is for me to replace the entire dash.

NHTSA ID
11603755
Incident
Oct 1, 2023
Brakes
Filed Apr 4, 2024

2013 Lexus Es300h driving on [XXX] , I felt the brake didn't work during the street. It's hard to push the brake, and I almost hit the car in front. OMG, I was very scared. I saw an ABS brake light, and I tried to turn into a parking lot and find the nearest Pepboys in Birmingham, Alabama to inspect the system. I was informed of a problem with the Brake Booster Assembly. I’m sorry I can’t afford to pay the labor, service and parts at this time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11581147
Incident
Mar 8, 2024
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 16, 2023

I was driving down the highway coming up on a traffic jam put on the brakes and several warning. Lights came on the dash and my power brakes failed. I was barely able to stop the car without hitting someone. From that point forward the brakes did not work properly, the regenerative braking system did not function. also, the cruise control stopped functioning. I took the car to the Lexus dealer, they tested the car and stated it need a new brake booster brake assembly and that there was a safety warranty issue that was extended out 10 years and up to 150,000 miles and although my car only had 79,000 miles on it was three months past the warranty date and the refused. They reset the car brakes apparently and I was able to drive the car for several days while I spoke with Lexus, and then the car brakes failed again.

NHTSA ID
11555537
Incident
Aug 16, 2023
Electrical
Filed Mar 28, 2023

On my 2013 Lexus ES 350, three out of the four doors do not function properly and will not lock or lock with the key fob. my driver’s side front door, my driver’s side rear door, and my passenger’s side front door does not work. The doors also will not lock or unlock with the interior lock/unlock button. When the all the doors are locked, I must go to the passenger’s rear door to unlock the driver’s side front door with my cane. The manual door lock from the key fob does not work and will break if I continue turning it. The door locks will not automatically lock when the car goes in motion. These are safety issues trying to get a child or pet out of the car in case of an emergency such as a fire, an accident, or robbery. The power locks are extremely helpful for me. I am a combat disabled veteran who runs the risk of reinjuring myself using the only door that works attempting to open the door with my cane. I have had some of these power locks replaced before. Lexus says this is a mechanical issue associated with the actuators rather than a safety issue. I really believe this is a serious safety and security issue rather than a mechanical issue.

NHTSA ID
11514204
Incident
Dec 1, 2022
Filed Aug 16, 2022

Hood latch and cable malfunction in that the hood wouldn't close and warning light and buzzer continuously beeped. Woburn Toyota in Woburn, MA said it was due to overuse and not a defect and not a safety issue! Not so. Hood not opened more than other vehicles I have had without such a problem. Other Lexus owners have posted similar complaints, too.

NHTSA ID
11479664
Incident
Aug 16, 2022
Airbags
Filed Aug 11, 2022

I entered the VIN and found that my car airbag was an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA ID
11478900
Incident
Aug 11, 2022
Filed May 12, 2022

The moonroof suddenly shattered (it sounded like an explosion) while I was driving on the freeway in 70 degree weather. Initially I had no idea what it was but realized subsequently that I was shedding glass shards behind me. There were no overpasses where someone could have dropped something, I did not see a rock or other projectile, and - when I parked the car - I found nothing that from outside seemed to have struck it and/or stayed behind in the cavity.

NHTSA ID
11464373
Incident
May 11, 2022
Electrical
Filed Aug 18, 2021

The automatic door locks have stopped working. I have had to replace 3 out of the 4 door lock actuators in the car. When they go out I am unable to use the door lock sensors and have to manually lock my doors. It also affects my ability to use the key fob remote to lock and unlock my door. I replaced 2 in 2018 and 1 in 2021

NHTSA ID
11429552
Incident
Aug 4, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Jan 19, 2021

ENGINE STALLS WHEN TURNING LEFT REDUCING POWER STEERING BOOST UNTIL DRIVER LIFTS FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL AND REPUSHES TO REGAIN POWER STEERING BOOST ON CITY STREETS AT LOW SPEED FROM STOPPED POSITION.

NHTSA ID
11388921
Incident
Jan 15, 2021
Mileage
32,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2020

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 ANY ADVERSE HANDLING. I REALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR NOT KNOWING IF THE PCS SYSTEM WILL FAIL.

NHTSA ID
11362293
Incident
Oct 1, 2020
Mileage
34,200 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 6, 2020

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 WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE PROCEDURE. HOWEVER, PEOPLE IN A DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS AND MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET CONFIRMED IT AS WELL. ALSO, LEXUS ISSUED EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR AN ABS FAILURE BUT SOMEHOW YOU ARE QUALIFIED ONLY WHEN YOUR ABS FAIL. THAT'S SOUNDS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I DID MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IN 2016 IN AUSTRALIA LEXUS HAS RECALLED 2013 AND ABOVE LEXUS ES MODELS BECAUSE OF BRAKE ACTUATOR AND ABS MODULE MALFUNCTION. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ARE THE SAME MODELS NOT BEING RECALLED IN USA FOR THE SAME VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11307461
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
AirbagsBody & structureExterior lighting
Filed Jan 3, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE LEXUS ES 350, WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO SIDE STREET WITHIN A SUB DIVISION, AND RAN UP THE CURB AND HIT A TREE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR, AND SO MUCH DAMAGED THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. DRIVER UNSURE IF VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN OR JUST LOST CONTROL. THE GREATER ISSUE OR CONCERN WAS NOT WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT, BUT THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER THE IMPACT AND THE DRIVER BROKE THEIR NOSE AND HAS BEEN TREATED 3 TIMES IN ER SINCE CRASH. IN SPEAKING WITH REPAIR SHOP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE 2 AIR BAG SENSORS AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, AND BOTH ARE NEAR THE HEADLIGHTS. HE WAS SURPRISED THAT GIVEN THE DAMAGE AND IMPACT OF THE COLLISION (TO RIGHT FRONT OF CAR BY HEADLIGHT, PICTURES ATTACHED), THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID
11296969
Incident
Dec 27, 2019
Mileage
45,000 mi
Filed Sep 7, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11253807
Incident
Sep 7, 2019
Mileage
163,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 14, 2019

RECENTLY ACQUIRED LISTED PRE-OWNED, CERTIFIED VEHICLE. BOUGHT WHEEL AND TIRE COVERAGE. HAND WASHED CAR AFTER 4-DAYS OF OWNERSHIP AND DISCOVERED BROKE WHEEL. DEALER SAYS THE STYLE WHEEL ON THE VEHICLE IS ROUTINELY REPAIRED BY THEM (NOT REPLACED.) DEALER REP (WESLEY PETERS, SEWELL LEXUS, DALLAS) WHEEL IS COMMONLY DAMAGED BY IMPROPER TORQUEING OF LUG NUTS. LEXUS DRIVERS I KNOW DO NOT KNOW THE TORQUE SPECS NOR DO THEY CARRY A TORQUE WRENCH. HAVE A FLAT? GOOD LUCK YOU DO NOT BREAK A WHEEL WHILE CHANGING FLAT! SEWELL LEXUS IS NOW REPAYING THE WHEEL NOT HONORING THE WHEEL AND TIRE COVERAGE AND REPLACING IT! WRITER HAS CONTACTED LEXUS NORTH AMERICA CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. DEALER REP PETERS ALSO STATED THE FIRM ROUTINELY REPAIR ALL STYLES OF LEXUS WHEELS AND WRITER SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED. COULD THE NHTSA PLEASE LOOK INTO WHY LEXUS WHEELS SHOULD REQUIRE REPAIR BEFORE SOMEONE BOUNCES OF THE HIGHWAY WITH A BROKE WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
11186863
Incident
Mar 14, 2019
Mileage
63,380 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 4, 2018

VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS AREN'T WORKING PROPERLY. ISSUE CAUSES VEHICLE THE ABILITY TO LOCK WITH KEY FOB INSIDE AND DOORS NOT TO LOCK UPON EXITING VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11066900
Incident
Jan 28, 2018
Electrical
Filed May 22, 2017

CPO 2013 ES350 BOUGHT JANUARY 2, 2016 AT LEXUS DEALERSHIP, WHICH HAS BEEN KEPT IN AN IN-DOOR GARAGE, AND IS LIGHTLY DRIVEN. MID-APRIL 2017 BATTERY WAS DEAD, JUMP STARTED BUT THEN BATTERY DIED THE NEXT DAY. I BROUGHT VEHICLE TO ANOTHER LEXUS DEALERSHIP ON MAY 20, 2017. THEY CLAIMED BATTERY NOT WARRANTIED. I DISCOVERED THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHO BOUGHT CAR OCTOBER 2012 HAD REPLACED THE BATTERY IN 2015 WHICH MADE ME CURIOUS AS TO WHY IT WAS REPLACED SO SOON, AND WHY IT DIDN'T LAST VERY LONG. THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN MENTIONED THAT I NEEDED A COMPUTER COMPONENT WHICH HE HOPED WAS UNDER MY WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE PART CAME IN. I RESEARCHED THIS PART, AND APPARENTLY LEXUS HAS KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THIS COMPONENT, WHICH WAS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE CAUSING BATTERY PROBLEMS BY NOT GOING INTO "SLEEP MODE" AND SLOWLY DRAINING AND KILLING BATTERIES. THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE ON BLOGS (ONE OF WHICH IS ATTACHED).

NHTSA ID
10990881
Incident
Apr 15, 2017
Mileage
50,300 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed May 15, 2017

I AM NOT SURE IT IT IS ENGINE OR FUEL BUT MY PROBLEM IS AS FOLLOWS: WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING MY 2013 LEXUS ES 350 HESITATES TO THE POINT OF ALMOST STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON LOCAL AND HIGHWAY ROADS. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I HAVE COME ACROSS TWO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WHEN YOU LOSE ACCELERATION WHEN IT IS MOST NEEDED.

NHTSA ID
10985812
Incident
May 3, 2017

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .