Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Lexus GS450H problems

Owners filed 17 complaints about the 2013 Lexus GS450H with NHTSA between Nov 2016 and May 2025. The most-cited component is service brakes (4).

Complaints
17
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes4
  2. Steering4
  3. Visibility/wiper3
  4. Seats2
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Air bags2
  7. Seat belts2
  8. Engine1
  9. Vehicle speed control1
  10. Structure1
  11. Fuel/propulsion system1
  12. Suspension1
  13. Other / unknown1

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 Oct 29, 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
20161
20170
20180
20191
20205
20212
20221
20232
20243
20252

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

4 reports2 crashes1 fire
“Brake actuator or booster accumulator, always has been failing on Toyota/lexus hybrids, they need to do another bulletin or TSD because the malfunction is unsafe and many drivers are reporting it”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2025Service brakesODI 11664042

Steering

4 reports1 crash
“I own a 2013 GS350 RWD BASE MODEL. I have been having issues with the steering in this car since it was purchased in 2021 with100k miles. It seems to do great at lower speeds or on curvy roads, but when I drive on interstate going straight at around 70 to 80 mph is where it really becomes noticeable. The vehicle does not want to drive straight for anything. It does not pull in one certain direction; it is literally all over the road. I'd like to note that i have new shocks and upper shock mounts in the front, as well as tires all the way around, also replaced the sway bar linkages on the front and did an alignment. But the vehicle will veer from left to right with no rhyme or reason so bad that you cannot take your eyes off of the road to even adjust the ac or radio from fear of running into the concrete barricade or another vehicle. Something I'd like to add is that it really becomes prominent after about 10 to 15 min of interstate driving. I have taken it to two different Lexus dealerships and called Lexus directly. No one seems to know what I'm talking about; the first dealership told me to replace all of the parts that I previously mentioned. So, I did with…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2024SteeringODI 11602157

Visibility/wiper

3 reports
“2013 Lexus GS 350 Stuck Wiper blades; DANGER LEVEL EXTREMELY HIGH - MAY AFFECT 2013-2015 AND 2016-2020 GS MODELS When using the wipes in either automatic mode or manual speed selection they can become stuck in the rain in the up position blocking the windshield's view. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Deemed a MAJOR FLAW, the wiper blades can get stuck in any position while wiping. This occurs when the wiper blades are used and it is raining. This is very hard to replicate with windshield wiper fluid. To remedy the malfunction to survive in a LIFE or DEATH moment of LIMITED VISIBILITY, the driver must quickly push the wiper lever activator up and down to reset it and or pushing in the automatic rain sensing function button. Also, when stopped at a stoplight and resuming acceleration, the rain sensor does not pick up rain at low, medium, or heavy rain and does not engage the wipers. Again, the user must re-engage the wiper system by turning it on and off again multiple times while driving over and over again, multiple times during a trip. The car should not be driven on highways at high speed during when raining or above 20 MPH.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2022Visibility/wiperODI 11459058

Seats

2 reports
“Customer notice deterioration of the seat and proceeding monitoring the seat it was observed in 2021, 2023 & 2014 that while utilizing the seat heating electrical component the seat developed cracks as the heat released a burning sensation to the skin.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2024Seats, Unknown or otherODI 11591442

Electrical system

2 reports
“clock inoperable Lumber Support Button/ Motor is inoperable. Lexus Dealership found that the cable is broken and needs to be replaced on the Driver and Passenger side. As the cable is broken it makes the driver side seat loose”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2023Electrical system, SeatsODI 11513643

Air bags

2 reports2 crashes
“SEPTEMBER 27TH 2017 - 2013 LEXUS GS 350 FOR 26432 FROM SANTA MONICA LEXUS IN LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA SOLD THE CAR WITHOUT THE DEALER REVEALING RECALLS ON THE CAR BY CALIFORNIA LAW IT IS ILLEGAL TO NOT DISCLOSE INFORMATION ON NOVEMBER 2ND 2018 17 HE WAS MY ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATER I FOUND OUT THAT HER HAIR BACK WOULD NOT EVEN HAVE TO BELIEVE IN THE DEALER DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WHICH IS A LOOFAH JANUARY 1ST OF 2019 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER TELLING ME TO RETURN A CAR BECAUSE OF DASHBOARD RECALL DEALERSHIP DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO FIX THE DASHBOARD SEND WITH A LATER ON I FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAVE PERFORMED TWO OR THREE SET TEMP TO FIX ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FLASH SOFTWARE TWICE FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THAT VOID YOUR WARRANTY I TURN MY CAR IN JANUARY 5TH 2019 SEND A RECEIPT TO RETURN MY CAR WITH THEY HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHT TO HOLD HE CLAIMED IT DONE WORK ON MY CAR BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE SERVICE RECORDS TO NOT THAT THEY DIDN'T WORK ON MY CAR AND I NEVER SIGNED ANY DOCUMENTS TO GIVE HIM PERMISSION TO WORK ON MY CAR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2020Steering, Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11318873
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

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