RoadVitals

2013 Lexus ES350

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
23
Latest Aug 25, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 3, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
5
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Lexus ES350, most frequently naming the visibility, airbags and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 268 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility519.2%
  • Airbags415.4%
  • Brakes311.5%
  • Driver assistance311.5%
  • Body & structure27.7%
  • Interior & seats27.7%
  • Steering27.7%
  • Other / unspecified13.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
15V728000

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING

Nov 3, 2015
30,812 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number F1V, F2EView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 23
Visibility
Filed Aug 25, 2021

The contact owns a 2013 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the contact heard a loud gunshot like sound and the sunroof shattered into pieces. The contact stated that small fragments of glass fell all over him due to the failure however, he was not injured. The contact pulled over, cleaned out his vehicle and was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact called the dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 135,394.

NHTSA ID
11430439
Incident
Aug 25, 2021
Mileage
135,394 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE TO THE SUN ROOF, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE SUN ROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED CHATHAM PARKWAY LEXUS (1120 CHATHAM PKWY, SAVANNAH, GA 31405, (912) 330-6051) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ID
11384668
Incident
Dec 21, 2020
Mileage
64,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 29, 2019

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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID
11282900
Incident
Nov 27, 2019
Mileage
55,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 30, 2018

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 APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11155236
Incident
Nov 30, 2018
Mileage
23,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 11, 2017

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL

NHTSA ID
11045317
Incident
Oct 1, 2017
Mileage
38,450 mi
Filed Jun 14, 2017

I WAS DRIVING ON I75 IN LOUISVILLE, KY, GOING APPROX 70-75 MPH WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT! PANICKED, I LOOKED AROUND IMMEDIATELY BUT THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS CLOSE BY AND NO OVERPASSES. THEN I REALIZED THAT GLASS WAS ALL OVER MY RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER, AND THE CENTER CONSOLE. I LOOKED UP TO SEE THAT MY MOON ROOF WAS SHATTERED. AFTER REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED, I CLOSED THE SHADE SO MORE GLASS DID NOT FALL ON ME AND INSIDE MY CAR. I TOOK AN EXIT AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I TOLD THEM I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THAT NO ONE WAS AROUND BUT THAT MY MOON ROOF HAD JUST EXPLODED. THEY GAVE ME THE COMPANY TO CONTACT TO GET IT FIXED AND I TOOK IT THERE TO GET IT FIXED THE NEXT DAY. I HAVE PICS OF IT THOUGH. SO SCARY! I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY MOON ROOF WOULD JUST EXPLODE WITHOUT ANY EXTERIOR FORCE BEING EXERTED AND I AM SO AFRAID IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10995129
Incident
May 24, 2017
Mileage
70,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 8, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

PASSENGER-SIDE LEG AIRBAG FAILED TO FULLY DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. IT ALSO EXPLODED AND EXPELLED ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED PROPERLY. THIS WAS DURING A FRONT-END COLLISION WITH THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS PROCEEDINGSTRAIGHT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A PARKWAY-LIKE CITY DRIVE. ..UPDATED 09/26/17 *BF *JS

NHTSA ID
10994028
Incident
May 2, 2017
Mileage
49,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVELER FRACTURED FROM THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,300. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10958767
Incident
Mar 3, 2017
Mileage
42,300 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

KLG Dealer Packa

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

DP: Limited Service Campaign KLG expired December 01, 2022

KLG Technical In

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022

19LE05 Dealer Pa

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

DP: Customer Support Program 19LE05 expired December 1, 2022.

19LE05 Technical

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022

Safety Recall 22

EQUIPMENT

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

L-SB-0004-22

AIR BAGS

TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This service bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus ES350 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023100—
2022200—
2021500—
2020510—
2019520—
2018520—
2017221051.6
2016211036.1
2015161036.3
2014281043.9
2013Viewing231044.4
2012893157.4
20111533158.0
20101375159.1
20091455262.6
20082555262.7
20075395464.2

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.