Most common 2013 Lexus IS 250 problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus IS 250 complaints by model year
Best IS 250 years: 2013, 2012, 2015. Years to avoid: 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2013 Lexus IS 250 recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 Lexus IS 250:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
2013 Lexus IS 250 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Lexus IS 250 a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 IS 250 rates better than average: 83% fewer complaints than a typical year of the IS 250 at the same age. It is one of the best IS 250 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Lexus IS 250?
The wheels & tires — 2 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (2) and suspension (1).
How many recalls does the 2013 Lexus IS 250 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2013 Lexus IS 250, the most recent from January 9, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus IS 250?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2012 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2006 and 2008. See the full Lexus IS 250 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Lexus IS 250 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 75% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.