NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Lexus ES Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2013 Lexus ES right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 27 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA lists a related nameplate separately for the 2013 Lexus ES: ES Hybrid — 1 recall campaign.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Lexus ES.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2013 Lexus ES owner complaints

Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Lexus ES, describing incidents dated September 20, 2012 to December 31, 2024.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 7 complaints
Service Brakes 7 complaints
Unknown or Other 5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 5 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 3 complaints

Of the 27 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 27 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11635965 · Filed January 14, 2025
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.
ODI #11613251 · Filed September 7, 2024
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.
ODI #11603755 · Filed July 22, 2024
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…

Read all 27 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2013 Lexus ES right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2013 Lexus ES. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

27 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Lexus ES.

Service Brakes

ODI #11635965

Incident: December 31, 2024 · Filed: January 14, 2025

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

ODI #11613251

Incident: August 23, 2024 · Filed: September 7, 2024

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; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11603755

Incident: October 1, 2023 · Filed: July 22, 2024

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

ODI #11581147

Incident: March 8, 2024 · Filed: April 4, 2024

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)

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #11555537

Incident: August 16, 2023 · Filed: November 16, 2023

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

ODI #11514204

Incident: December 1, 2022 · Filed: March 28, 2023

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

ODI #11479664

Incident: August 16, 2022 · Filed: August 16, 2022

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

ODI #11478900

Incident: August 11, 2022 · Filed: August 11, 2022

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

Unknown or Other

ODI #11464373

Incident: May 11, 2022 · Filed: May 12, 2022

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

ODI #11429552

Incident: August 4, 2021 · Filed: August 18, 2021

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

Other Lexus ES model years

Check your 2013 Lexus ES VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus ES at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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