Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Lexus CT200H problems

Owners filed 40 complaints about the 2013 Lexus CT200H with NHTSA between Mar 2013 and Mar 2025. The most-cited component is service brakes (13).

Complaints
40
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes13
  2. Engine13
  3. Structure4
  4. Electrical system3
  5. Exterior lighting3
  6. Suspension2
  7. Vehicle speed control2
  8. Air bags2
  9. Forward collision avoidance1
  10. Engine and engine cooling1
  11. Wheels1
  12. Power train1
  13. Steering1
  14. Visibility1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20133
20141
20156
20161
20175
20180
20194
20206
20213
20225
20230
20245
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

13 reports2 crashes
“The brake booster and pump are a known issue for all CT200 models 2011-2013. The brakes do not work as intended which is a safety issue. The attached file is acknowledgement by Lexus that this is an issue. Though they are not covering the problem”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2024Service brakesODI 11630875

Engine

13 reports1 fire
“Early morning cold start in open loop engine starts to rattle and knock. Cleaned out EGR system, including intake manifold. Engine still rattles and knocks. Swapped out ignition coils and fuel injectors with new still and still the same thing. DTC sets after a week of troubleshooting for P0303, P0301, and P0300. Switched cylinder ignition coils and fuel injectors from cylinder 1 to 2 and 3 to 4. Same DTC sets after drive cycle. Leak down test confirms cylinder 3 has head gasket leak. Registration was just paid and was going to have it smog test. Unable to pass smog due to check engine light. I had went to Lexus dealer to have them update my car for EGR update according to TSB (see attachment) but they wouldn’t do it unless I pay $300 SMFH!!! What a day! Which engineer suggested this stupid design?!?! And wtf the EGR cooler, more like a heater, has coolant running into housing which raises the engine coolant temp. Exhaust gas may go up to a temp of 600 degrees!! Look at live data and monitor catalyst temp from OBD2. This design was to intentionally cause a head gasket failure. Blades in EGR cooler gets clogged with carbon build up, where carbon will eventually…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2024EngineODI 11597715

Structure

4 reports2 crashes
“AS I WAS DRIVING INTO A TURN FROM A COMPLETE STOP IN THE TURN LANE ON A CITY STREET, MY CAR SURGED FORWARD AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T RESPOND. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2015Structure, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 10785840

Electrical system

3 reports1 fire
“DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER A LOUD NOISE THE bottom of the vehicle went on fire. we called the fire department who put out the fire. After looking at the bottom I notice that the crankcase had a big hole. it seems that a valve went right through the cracnkcase. resulting in hot engine oil going on fire. The car is only 5 months old and Carmax will not pay for the repair which could cost me 5,000 dollars. I paid 27,000 for the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2022Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11479752

Exterior lighting

3 reports
“LED headlights are pointed downward and is set with auto leveling to adjust. The distance you can see isn't far enough and these need to be higher. There is no way to adjust these LED lights. With the halogen bulbs you have a level option to raise or lower. You do not with LEDs factory fitted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2022Exterior lightingODI 11466884

Suspension

2 reports1 crash
“: _TIRE MALFUNCTION - IN MOTION - IN NEIGHBORHOOD - WHILE TURNING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2020Suspension, Vehicle speed control, WheelsCrash reportedODI 11329803
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.