Most common 2013 Lexus RX350 problems
Share of the 29 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus RX350 complaints by model year
Best RX350 years: 2020, 2014, 2022. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2009. Compare all years →
2013 Lexus RX350 recalls (1)
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014.
What 2013 Lexus RX350 owners say
Body & structure
The contact owns a 2013 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that after closing the liftgate door and reversing out of the car port, the liftgate door erroneously opened and struck the car port causing damage to the liftgate. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that recently the liftgate lowered independently. The failure occurred several times while placing items into the back of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 40,000.
On the garage driveway, suddenly my car accelerated in the reverse gear and could not be stopped even after pressing the brake. The car completely went out of control in the reverse and crashed into my backyard fence, plowed through it and finally came to a stop after hitting my raised patio!
Electrical system
The door lock accuator on the driver's side is inoperable.I have to manually lock the driver side door then open the passenger door and lean into the car and reach over to unlock the driver side door each time I need to open the door. Cost to repair is $600.00 (parts & labor) I feel this is excessive as the vehicle is only 5 years old and has only 55,500 miles! Parts dealer noted he keeps the part stocked on his shelf as it is frequently requested.
My 2013 Lexus AWD rx 350 has a faulty wire harness which has shorted out its GPS navigation system, radio, and media center. I replaced the headlamp on the passengers side and the blast, but the 15 amp fuse continues to blow out. Therefore, the faulty wire harness has caused my headlights, GPS navigation system, and radio to no longer work.
Brakes
On the garage driveway, suddenly my car accelerated in the reverse gear and could not be stopped even after pressing the brake. The car completely went out of control in the reverse and crashed into my backyard fence, plowed through it and finally came to a stop after hitting my raised patio!
Applied brakes to slow vehicle coming to a stop sign, the car would not stop and the brake pedal felt like the traction control engaged, the brake resisted and made a grinding noise, the car finally stopped,there were no light indicators on the dash. I continued for about 1/4 mile with 2 more stop signs with no incident, on the 3rd stop ( at my destination) the car again would not come to a complete stop for about 30 feet, no dash light indicators, the brake resisted again. I have not driven the car since.
2013 Lexus RX350 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Lexus RX350 a good car?
Based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 RX350 rates better than average: 46% fewer complaints than a typical year of the RX350 at the same age. 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 RX350?
The body & structure — 7 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the electrical system (5) and brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 2013 Lexus RX350 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2013 Lexus RX350, the most recent from February 12, 2014 (electronic stability control (esc)). 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 RX350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2014 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2009. See the full Lexus RX350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Lexus RX350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 46,000 miles; 55% 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.