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Research · Midsize Cars

2013 Lexus ES300HRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 40 owner complaints for the 2013 Lexus ES300H. Most complaints involve service brakes (10) and vehicle speed control (9). The EPA rates it 40 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
40mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 2015
Owner complaints
40
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$1,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.

Forward collision avoidanceReported Nov 3, 2015NHTSA 15V728000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

40 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2013 – Jun 2026
  1. Service brakes10
  2. Vehicle speed control9
  3. Electrical system7
  4. Air bags4
  5. Fuel/propulsion system4
  6. Visibility/wiper3
  7. Structure3
  8. Exterior lighting2
  9. Power train2

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

By model year

Complaints for each ES300H model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201340
201414
20156
20167
20171
20185
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

10 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2025Service brakesODI 11635965

Vehicle speed control

9 reports4 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 16, 2023Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11555537

Electrical system

7 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2023Electrical systemODI 11514204
All 2013 ES300H problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ES 300h
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
403940$1,550224
  • ES 300h
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    40 city · 39 hwy · $1,550/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lexus ES300H 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 7607
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 ES300H questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Lexus ES300H have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Lexus ES300H problems?

Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (10), vehicle speed control (9), electrical system (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Lexus ES300H get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Lexus ES300H at 40 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2013 Lexus ES300H?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Lexus ES300H 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026