2013 Lexus ES350 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Lexus ES350, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility519.2%
- Airbags415.4%
- Brakes311.5%
- Driver assistance311.5%
- Body & structure27.7%
- Interior & seats27.7%
- Steering27.7%
- Other / unspecified13.8%
- Powertrain (other)13.8%
- Electrical13.8%
- Fuel system13.8%
- Tires & wheels13.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN FRONT OF A STORE. CAR WAS IN PARKING SPOT, READY TO STOP. ALL OF A SUDDEN, CAR ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB, WENT THRU SIDEWALK INTO THE STORE AHEAD. LUCKILY, STORE WAS VACANT. CAR KEPT GOING THRU THE STORE, CAME OUT FROM THE BACK WALL ONTO THE RAIL GUARDS WHICH FINALLY STOPPED CAR. CAR WAS DAMAGED.
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A 3-POINT TURN, I FIRST BACKED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONTO THE ROAD, PAUSED TO CHECK FOR TRAFFIC, SHIFTED FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE AND PULLED FORWARD AND .STARTED TO TURN TO MY LEFT. AS I DID I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS ALL LIT AT ONCE. MY CAR DRIFTED ACROSS THE CENTER LINE AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT FROM ROLLING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT ENDED UP PERPENDICULAR TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONLY STOPPED WHEN IT HIT AN EMBANKMENT. MY CAR SUSTAINED FRONT BUMPER AND GRILLE DAMAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE AND HER HUSBAND LEASED THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, AFTER THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT, THEY BROKE THE LEASE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/08/14
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A 3-POINT TURN, I FIRST BACKED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONTO THE ROAD, PAUSED TO CHECK FOR TRAFFIC, SHIFTED FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE AND PULLED FORWARD AND .STARTED TO TURN TO MY LEFT. AS I DID I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS ALL LIT AT ONCE. MY CAR DRIFTED ACROSS THE CENTER LINE AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT FROM ROLLING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT ENDED UP PERPENDICULAR TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONLY STOPPED WHEN IT HIT AN EMBANKMENT. MY CAR SUSTAINED FRONT BUMPER AND GRILLE DAMAGE.
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 FAILED TO DEPLOY, ONBOARD SAFETY CONNECT FEATURE DID NOT CONNECT TO CONFIRM DRIVER WAS OK AND THE SOS BUTTON FAILED TO WORK AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THIS WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEATHER MATERIAL ON THE DRIVER SEAT WAS PEELING OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE A RESULT OF WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
I BOUGHT PRE-OWNED 2013 LEXUS ES300H CAR IN MOTH OF APRIL AND STARTED HAVING SEVER BACK PAIN, I CONTACTED LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH FACT THAT SOMETHING WRONG WITH SEAT, PLEASE HELP ME AS I AM HAVING SEVER BACK PAIN EVERY SINGLE TIME I USE THE CAR. LEXUS REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN GOING ROUND ABOUT AND NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE, THEY DID NOT EVEN PROPERLY INSPECTED THE SEAT AND DISMISSED THE CASE. NO GOOD SOLUTION PROVIDED. (LEXUS ASK ME TO SELL THE CAR!!!) I URGE NHTSA TO INTERVENE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, IT NOT EASY TO SELL AND BUY CAR, I WILL LOSE LOT OF MONEY. I AM FEELING THAT COMMON MAN HAS NO SAY IN FRONT OF THESE BIG CORPORATIONS, THIS IS EXACT SAME WAY HOW LEXUS TREATED THIS CASE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN GOING OVER 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A 3-POINT TURN, I FIRST BACKED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONTO THE ROAD, PAUSED TO CHECK FOR TRAFFIC, SHIFTED FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE AND PULLED FORWARD AND .STARTED TO TURN TO MY LEFT. AS I DID I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS ALL LIT AT ONCE. MY CAR DRIFTED ACROSS THE CENTER LINE AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT FROM ROLLING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT ENDED UP PERPENDICULAR TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONLY STOPPED WHEN IT HIT AN EMBANKMENT. MY CAR SUSTAINED FRONT BUMPER AND GRILLE DAMAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN GOING OVER 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 BRAKES BECAME RESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,890. UPDATED 01/08/14*LJ TIRE SKID MARKS WERE OBSERVED IN THE ROAD. UPDATED 01/09/14
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW FROM SEWELL LEXUS IN FT. WORTH TEXAS IN SEPTEMBER 2013. SHORTLY THERE AFTER IN LATE OCTOBER, I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE WHICH IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, DEAD BATTERY. I JUMP STARTED IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX TOTAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THIS MAINLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN 2-3 DAYS IN MY GARAGE. I HAVE NEVER LET THE CAR SIT MORE THAN 5 DAYS, BUT WHEN I DO LET IT SIT FOR 3-5 DAYS, THE BATTERY IS DEAD. CURRENT MILEAGE IS AROUND 4200. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN SEP. 2014. DEALER COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE AND SAID THE BATTERY IS FINE. 2 WEEKS AFTER I LEFT THE DEALER, MY VEHICLE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. DEALER RECOMMENDED A NEW BATTERY. A NEW AFTERMARKET BATTERY (INTERSTATE) WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE. 2 WEEKS AFTER THE NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED, MY CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE CAR HAS NO AFTERMARKET PARTS, ACCESSORIES, OR REMOTE START. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM. SEWELL LEXUS CONTACTED LEXUS ABOUT THIS, AND LEXUS ADVISED THEM THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL YEAR VEHICLE AND THEY BELIEVE IT IS AN UNKNOWN COMPUTER PART RANDOMLY TURNING ON AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. THEY SAID THIS MAINLY HAPPENS WITH VEHICLES SITTING FOR A FEW DAYS. THEY SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE A CURRENT FIX FOR THE CAR. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED INSTALLING A BATTERY TENDER IN MY CAR. TOO WHICH, I DECLINED AS IT DOES ME NO GOOD TO HAVE THAT INSTALLED IF I AM ON VACATION, PARKED AT THE AIRPORT, ECT. I AM REQUESTING A NEW CAR AS I BELIEVE THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND OR REFUND MY MONEY DUE TO THEY CANNOT FIX MY CAR. I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY CAR AND I AM AWAITING LEXUS TO COMPLETE THEIR INVESTIGATION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL PUMP DOES NOT TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY AFTER IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN THE GARAGE, IGNITION OFF. UPON GOING BACK INTO GARAGE I NOTICE A LOAD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER HITTING THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY PHOB THE SOUND STOPPED. THE ISSUE IS GETTING WORSE. ON 12/72015 AFTER ENERGIZING THE LOCK / UNLOCK FUNCTION ON THE KEY PHOB THE FUEL PUMP DID NOT TURN OFF AS IT DID IN THE PAST. I HAD TO START THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF TO STOP THE FUEL PUMP FROM CONSTANTLY RUNNING. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES DRAINING DOWN THE BATTERY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE WE LEFT AN ACCESSORY ON BUT AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO RUN INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM A MECHANIC AND DO HAVE A VAST KNOWLEDGE OF TODAY'S VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES SYSTEMS. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD THE FUEL PUMP CONTINUE TO RUN IN AN ACCIDENT OR AN ISSUE OCCURS WITH AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE AND THE FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO RUN. I HAVE A VIDEO WITH SOUND DOCUMENTING MY LAST EXPERIENCE BUT THE FILE IS TO LARGE GOT UPLOAD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS ES350 EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 TIRES SIZE 215/55 R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING ON EVEN ROAD SURFACES AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED AND THERE WAS A THREE INCH HOLE IN THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE DOT WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .