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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Lexus RX350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 78 owner complaints for the 2013 Lexus RX350. Most complaints involve electrical system (14) and service brakes (14). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4–5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2014
Owner complaints
78
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Service brakes

Free remedy

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Feb 12, 2014NHTSA 14V054000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

78 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2013 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system14
  2. Service brakes14
  3. Structure12
  4. Vehicle speed control10
  5. Air bags8
  6. Steering7
  7. Engine7
  8. Power train5
  9. Exterior lighting4

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 RX350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007225
2008196
2009131
2010171
201154
201245
201378
201427
201562
201686
201794
201844
201965
20230
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

14 reports3 fires
“Odometer Fraud: The contact purchased a 2013 Lexus RX 350. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 96,575. After reviewing an AutoCheck report by Experian the following day, the contact became aware that the mileage was 151,219.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2026Electrical systemODI 11748807

Service brakes

14 reports3 crashes
“I was just driving regular and the rx350 started to jerk and apply the breaks by itself and slip and go side ways and the car behind me almost hit me because my Lexus started to stop hard and fast .im pressing the gas but it’s not accelerating.the engine wanted to stop and very dangerous I’m scared to even drive the vehicle.i am the 3rd owner and now i know why the otheer people don’t want it .there is a recall for that problem but im new to the car recalls so im not to shure what to do to get the car repaired .i would like this fix especially because it is a recall .thanks”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2026Unknown or other, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11718143

Structure

12 reports1 crash2 fires
“Vehicle was parked, engine off, and unattended. An internal electrical fire originated in the overhead/sunroof wiring area. Damage includes melted wiring harness near the sunroof, burned center console, and soot throughout the interior. The fire originated in a constant-power electrical circuit and spread downward into the cabin. There were no aftermarket modifications, no external heat sources, and no objects in the vehicle that could have caused ignition. Ambient temperature conditions were normal and insufficient to cause this damage. This represents a serious safety defect because the fire originated spontaneously within the vehicle’s electrical system and could have resulted in a full vehicle fire or injury if occupants were present. The failure appears to involve factory-installed wiring/components and is not consistent with normal wear or external factors.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2026Electrical system, Structure, Unknown or otherFire reportedODI 11729838
All 2013 RX350 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RX 350
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950429
RX 350 AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950422
RX 350 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
  • RX 350
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • RX 350 AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • RX 350 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Lexus RX350 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Lexus RX350 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7039Vehicle 7038
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 RX350 questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Lexus RX350 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 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 RX350 problems?

Owners filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (14), service brakes (14), structure (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Lexus RX350 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Lexus RX350 at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Lexus RX350?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Lexus RX350 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026