2013 Lexus RX350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
45,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 29 complaints (20.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 20.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 6; Electrical System: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Service Brakes: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 8; 2019: 3; 2020: 5; 2021: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10568513 · 2014-03-11 (March 11, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR STARTED TO CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY WHILE SHE WAS IN THE REAR AREA, STRIKING THE CONTACT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK EXTREME FORCE TO MAKE THE DOOR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,521. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,521 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10625940 · 2014-08-18 (August 18, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL ODOR WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS TO BECOME ILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOR WAS CAUSED BY MOISTURE BUILD UP AROUND THE AIR CONDITIONING FILTER BUT NO REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10625940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10680894 · 2015-02-03 (February 3, 2015)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 21,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10680894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10733685 · 2015-07-13 (July 13, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS RX350. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,426.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,426 miles reported. Look up ODI 10733685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10785135 · 2015-10-21 (October 21, 2015)
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 WILL SUBSIDE WHEN BACK TO CRUISE SPEED. WILL NOT HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN. BROUGHT TO DEALER MANY TIMES FOR REPAIR CANNOT FIX.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10785135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10851248 · 2016-03-23 (March 23, 2016)
DRIVING NORMAL SPEED ON FRWY #1 LANE(4 LANE) - NO WARNING-LIGHTS OR ANYTHING, SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PULLED OFF FRWY GOT OUT OPEN PASS SIDE DOOR TO RETRIEVE PURSE THEN SAW FLAMES COME THROUGH ON DRIVER SIDE, CLOSED DOOR AND CALLED 911 - CAR ENGINE ON FIRE
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10851248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10897034 · 2016-08-19 (August 19, 2016)
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!
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10919473 · 2018-04-03 (April 3, 2018)
2013 LEXUS R-350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE ACCIDENT. *SMD *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10919473 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V054000 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2014-02-12 (February 12, 2014)
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.
Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign record ↗