KnownCarProblems2013 Lexus RX350 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Lexus RX350, most often about the brakes (22% of complaints, typically around 20,500 miles). It is 5th of 17 RX350 model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2013 Lexus RX350 problems
Brakes
13 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 20,500 miles.
The entire body of the car shook when I stepped on the brake. I have been noticing it before and it was more subtle but this time it was not. I've also noticed that sometimes I was not sure if the brakes would stop the car in time. After that trip I found out about the recall so I brought the vehicle to be serviced…
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…
Electrical
11 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles.
My car blew up. The engine caught fire as I was driving on the highway. Mile marker 372 i95s. I saw smoke coming out of the engine and then fire started so I pulled over on the left shoulder and the fire burst into full flames
Brake light switch is defective, just like the recall issued to 2004 Lexus models. Please investigate. [] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Body and structure
10 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
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!
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…
Speed control
9 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
Vehicle unexpectedly accelerated from a standing stop collided with other vehicles and was declared a total loss. Toyota examined the event data recorder. They said they test drove the vehicle (impossible as it was not able to be driven). They said the floor mat was unsecured (not so I checked it as did the local…
I had braked to a stop on a city street in bumper-to-bumper traffic that was stopped for a red light. Suddenly and unexpectedly, my car accelerated forward though my foot was still on the brake. It made a noise like the engine was accelerating. My car lurched forward and struck the car in front. As he moved forward…
Other or unspecified
9 complaints · 15%Under acceleration on to the highway exhaust smells will enter the vehicle thru the air conditioning vents when A/C is in recirculate mode. Smells will subside when cruising speeds are reached. While at highway speeds when accelerating to pass vehicles the smells will momentarily enter the cabin under acceleration and…
My sunroof exploded . Heard the pop while on the freeway with nothing above me or near me. My inside cover was closed but when I got out and shut the door the shattered glass fell on the the cover. I'm 99% sure nothing hit me because there was no one even close. It just popped and shattered. I was on se beltway in…
Air bags
6 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles.
Vehicicle shot forward gaining speed with brakes fully applied whch did not engage the brake override of acceleration. Ran through the garage door gaining speed then collided with the garage back wall. There was no control of the vehicle. The adjacent kitchen wall collapsed which moved the refrigerator forward…
The contact owned a 2013 Lexus RX350. While driving 30 MPH,the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle…
Engine
6 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles.
Lexus RX350 had a slight grinding noise at around 43,000. It was not very clear initially especially when the AC was on. Now at 76,000 miles, the noise is very loud and Lexus said it is the water pump slowly going bad. Now the car, after 70,000 miles is out of warranty. I have seen reports online with common bearings…
My car blew up. The engine caught fire as I was driving on the highway. Mile marker 372 i95s. I saw smoke coming out of the engine and then fire started so I pulled over on the left shoulder and the fire burst into full flames
Steering
5 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Lexus rx 350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the steering wheel, without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to Lexus of tampa bay (5852 n. Dale mabry hwy, tampa, fl 33614) where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the…
Several ecus failed simultaneously. Car would not start, steering locked. Luckily, my car was parked so I did not loose steering while moving.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Lexus RX350 recalls
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the vehicle stability control (vsc) system, antilock brake system (ABS), and traction control system.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2013 Lexus RX350
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Lexus RX350?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (13 complaints, typically around 20,500 miles); electrical (11 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); body and structure (10 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Lexus RX350 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 12, 2014 (stability control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Lexus RX350?
- It is 5th of 17 RX350 model years by number of complaints, with 59 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.