2013 Lexus ES

Routine

Owners filed 33 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes8
101
Electrical System6
000
Unknown or Other4
000
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000
Air Bags3
101
Wheels1
000
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly1
000
Visibility1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Structure › Body1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Jul 9, 2026199,000 milesTX

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Lexus ES350. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale on Facebook Marketplace. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000; however, a Carfax vehicle history reported the mileage at 199,000.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 2, 2026FL

Lexus of Sarasota Fl confirmed a Faulty brake actuators causing brake , skid control and ABS light to come on which created an immediate and extremely dangerous driving situation as I was on an interstate highway driving at 70 mph. It’s been confirmed that multiply Lexus models and years have had numerous brake actuator . Multiple failures have been documented yet ONLY a few were given recall status!!This is outrageous and an immediate review of this oversight needs to be addressed

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 16, 2026130,000 milesNJ

The contact owns a 2013 Lexus ES 300H. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The service ABS, Brakes, and hazard warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was determined. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Forward Collision Avoidance › WarningsCrash
Filed Sep 12, 2025TX

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 15V728000, Report Date: 11/3/ 2015, Vehicles Affected: 30,812 Consequence: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash. What To Do: Remedy parts for a permanent fix for this issue are not yet available. On 11/18, 2015, Toyota sent owners an interim notification and dealers will temporarily disable the PCS. When the improved PCS components are available for the permanent remedy, owners will be mailed a notification. These repairs will be performed free. Owners may contact Toyota 888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E. Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling certain model year and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured 6/18/2012 to 7/6/2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object. To see if your specific vehicle is affected 1-800-255-3987 or nhtsa.gov NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:19V005000, Report Date: 1/9/2019, Vehicles Affected: 1,299,448 Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. What To Do: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Ma

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 4, 2025CA

Lexus recall 2010-2015 models because pain is peaking. My car is a 2913 es 350 and the paint is pealing but Lexus do not want to fix it. It is the same problem as the recall Lexus because paint is peaking. What can I do or what can you do

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 2025TX

As a dominos delivery driver, I am constantly braking in neighborhoods, on main roads, highways, parking lots, you name it. It’s important for me as a safe driver to be able to rely on my vehicle to perform properly. Recently, I’ve had multiple failures to stop as the code “c1391” has come up and has intermittently shut off proper control of my braking system. Upon reading of the faulty brake system causing this code and my vehicle listed (2013 Lexus es300h) as part of the list of vehicles affected, I knew I needed to write in as well to have my car fixed of this problem that is endangering myself and others on the road.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2025FL

Brakes malfunctioned almost resulted in a life threatening car accident. Car is at the Lexus dealership for repair. The have confirmed problem. Yes there were warning lights moments before needing the brakes and it not working whn pushed.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 2024IN

While driving on the highway electronic brake boost suddenly failed, leading to brake malfunction. This is common malfunction of this model. This leads to potentially hazardous situation when in emergency or even regular traffic breaking car would not break as expected.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 22, 2024AL

Roughly 6-12 months ago the dashboard on my Lexus started to melt and become sticky, creating a glare on my windshield and impeding my ability to see the road causing dangerous situations. Both daytime and nighttime driving have been affected by this defect. I’ve contacted the local dealership, but they confirmed that no recalls are available and that the only solution is for me to replace the entire dash.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 4, 2024AL

2013 Lexus Es300h driving on [XXX] , I felt the brake didn't work during the street. It's hard to push the brake, and I almost hit the car in front. OMG, I was very scared. I saw an ABS brake light, and I tried to turn into a parking lot and find the nearest Pepboys in Birmingham, Alabama to inspect the system. I was informed of a problem with the Brake Booster Assembly. I’m sorry I can’t afford to pay the labor, service and parts at this time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 16, 2023PR

I was driving down the highway coming up on a traffic jam put on the brakes and several warning. Lights came on the dash and my power brakes failed. I was barely able to stop the car without hitting someone. From that point forward the brakes did not work properly, the regenerative braking system did not function. also, the cruise control stopped functioning. I took the car to the Lexus dealer, they tested the car and stated it need a new brake booster brake assembly and that there was a safety warranty issue that was extended out 10 years and up to 150,000 miles and although my car only had 79,000 miles on it was three months past the warranty date and the refused. They reset the car brakes apparently and I was able to drive the car for several days while I spoke with Lexus, and then the car brakes failed again.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 28, 2023VA

On my 2013 Lexus ES 350, three out of the four doors do not function properly and will not lock or lock with the key fob. my driver’s side front door, my driver’s side rear door, and my passenger’s side front door does not work. The doors also will not lock or unlock with the interior lock/unlock button. When the all the doors are locked, I must go to the passenger’s rear door to unlock the driver’s side front door with my cane. The manual door lock from the key fob does not work and will break if I continue turning it. The door locks will not automatically lock when the car goes in motion. These are safety issues trying to get a child or pet out of the car in case of an emergency such as a fire, an accident, or robbery. The power locks are extremely helpful for me. I am a combat disabled veteran who runs the risk of reinjuring myself using the only door that works attempting to open the door with my cane. I have had some of these power locks replaced before. Lexus says this is a mechanical issue associated with the actuators rather than a safety issue. I really believe this is a serious safety and security issue rather than a mechanical issue.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 16, 2022MA

Hood latch and cable malfunction in that the hood wouldn't close and warning light and buzzer continuously beeped. Woburn Toyota in Woburn, MA said it was due to overuse and not a defect and not a safety issue! Not so. Hood not opened more than other vehicles I have had without such a problem. Other Lexus owners have posted similar complaints, too.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 11, 2022AZ

I entered the VIN and found that my car airbag was an unrepaired recall.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 12, 2022CA

The moonroof suddenly shattered (it sounded like an explosion) while I was driving on the freeway in 70 degree weather. Initially I had no idea what it was but realized subsequently that I was shedding glass shards behind me. There were no overpasses where someone could have dropped something, I did not see a rock or other projectile, and - when I parked the car - I found nothing that from outside seemed to have struck it and/or stayed behind in the cavity.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 18, 2021AR

The automatic door locks have stopped working. I have had to replace 3 out of the 4 door lock actuators in the car. When they go out I am unable to use the door lock sensors and have to manually lock my doors. It also affects my ability to use the key fob remote to lock and unlock my door. I replaced 2 in 2018 and 1 in 2021

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 19, 202132,000 milesMO

ENGINE STALLS WHEN TURNING LEFT REDUCING POWER STEERING BOOST UNTIL DRIVER LIFTS FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL AND REPUSHES TO REGAIN POWER STEERING BOOST ON CITY STREETS AT LOW SPEED FROM STOPPED POSITION.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 202034,200 milesCO

THE PCS (PRE COLLISION SYSTEM) WARNING ICON FLASHED IN THE DISPLAY INDICATING THAT THE PCS WAS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY. PULLED OVER TO LOOK IN THE OWNERS MANUAL ONLY TO FIND THAT THE MANUAL TOLD ME TO STOP. WE PROCEEDED TO RETURN HOME WITHOUT EXPERIENCING ANY ADVERSE HANDLING. I REALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR NOT KNOWING IF THE PCS SYSTEM WILL FAIL.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 6, 2020NY

MY 2013 LEXUS ES 300H HAS GOT A WEAK BRAKES, SOMETIMES WOULD MAKE SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN YOU HOLD THEM AND FEW TIMES WOULDN'T BRAKE WHEN BRAKING ON A BIT ROUGH ROAD. I WAS AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY AND WENT TO LEXUS DEALER TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC. THEY SAID THAT MY CAR NEEDS A BRAKE ACTUATOR TO BE REPLACED WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE PROCEDURE. HOWEVER, PEOPLE IN A DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS AND MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET CONFIRMED IT AS WELL. ALSO, LEXUS ISSUED EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR AN ABS FAILURE BUT SOMEHOW YOU ARE QUALIFIED ONLY WHEN YOUR ABS FAIL. THAT'S SOUNDS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I DID MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IN 2016 IN AUSTRALIA LEXUS HAS RECALLED 2013 AND ABOVE LEXUS ES MODELS BECAUSE OF BRAKE ACTUATOR AND ABS MODULE MALFUNCTION. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ARE THE SAME MODELS NOT BEING RECALLED IN USA FOR THE SAME VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 3, 202045,000 milesIL

THE LEXUS ES 350, WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO SIDE STREET WITHIN A SUB DIVISION, AND RAN UP THE CURB AND HIT A TREE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR, AND SO MUCH DAMAGED THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. DRIVER UNSURE IF VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN OR JUST LOST CONTROL. THE GREATER ISSUE OR CONCERN WAS NOT WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT, BUT THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER THE IMPACT AND THE DRIVER BROKE THEIR NOSE AND HAS BEEN TREATED 3 TIMES IN ER SINCE CRASH. IN SPEAKING WITH REPAIR SHOP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE 2 AIR BAG SENSORS AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, AND BOTH ARE NEAR THE HEADLIGHTS. HE WAS SURPRISED THAT GIVEN THE DAMAGE AND IMPACT OF THE COLLISION (TO RIGHT FRONT OF CAR BY HEADLIGHT, PICTURES ATTACHED), THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

20 of 33 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20254110Routine
20249200Routine
202310200Routine
20229000Routine
202128100Routine
202018100Routine
201934100Routine
20185000Routine
20172000Routine
20169000Routine
20155000Routine
20144000Routine
2013 — this page33000Routine
201231010Routine
201146000Routine
201041000Routine
200928000Routine
200868000Routine
2007125010Routine
200612000Routine
200558000Routine
200416000Routine
200323000Routine
200227050Routine
20012000Routine
20006030Routine
19998130Routine
19981100Routine
19972100Routine
19961000Routine

Compare every ES year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.