NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Lexus RX. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
CPSC:2013 LEXUS RX 350 VACUUMING THE REAR CARGO AREA WHEN THE REAR DOOR AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN TO CLOSE AND IT STARTED TO TRAP ME BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE FLOOR OF THE CARGO AREA. AFTER PUSHING UP ON THE DOOR WITH ALL MY STRENGTH I WAS ABLE TO SQUEEZE OUT. *BF UPDATED 05/09/2017*JS
ON 3-2-2017, I WAS DRIVING 60-65 MPH IN MY 2013 LEXUS RX ON I-10 GOING WEST IN THE LEFT LANE TOWARD DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. SUDDENLY, I HEARD WHAT WAS A LOUD BANG ON MY ROOF - AND THEN SEVERAL SMALLER BANGS. ALMOST LIKE GUNSHOTS. I NEARLY WRECKED MY CAR BECAUSE IT STARTLED ME SO BADLY. WHAT APPEARED TO BE GLASS WAS FLYING OFF MY ROOF (THIS SOUNDED LIKE SPARKLERS). I COULD SEE IT THROUGH MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. SINCE I COULD NOT GET SAFELY OFF OF I-10, AS THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND WE WERE ALL GOING THE SPEED LIMIT OR OVER, I DROVE INTO DOWNTOWN HOUSTON, PARKED IN THE PARKING GARAGE AND THEN STEPPED UP ONTO THE CHASSIS TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY ROOF. MY ENTIRE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERING AND BOWING. IT WAS CLEAR TO ME THAT IT HAD EXPLODED FOR NO REASON. NOTHING HIT MY ROOF. I NEVER LEAVE MY CAR SITTING IN THE SUN AND IT HAD NOT GIVEN ME ANY PREVIOUS INDICATION OF PROBLEMS.
TAKATA RECALL . I BOUGHT THIS SUV JUST ABOUT YEAR AGO WITH 61K MILES ON IT AND NOW IT HAVE ABOUT 71K WHICH MEANS I ONLY DROVE IT FOR 10K MILES KEPT IT LIKE A BABY AND THE TRANSMISSION BUSTED AND PARTS FELL OUT HAVE TWO BIG HOLES . I REALLY NEED HELP .LEXUS DEALERSHIP WONT COVER IT BECAUSE THEY ARE SAYING I DONT HAVE WARRANTY ON IT . I BOUGHT THIS SUV FOR $35K . HOW CAN A DEALER SELL YOU A CAR WITH BAD TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NO WHERE TO GO .
ON THE GARAGE DRIVEWAY, SUDDENLY MY CAR ACCELERATED IN THE REVERSE GEAR AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE. THE CAR COMPLETELY WENT OUT OF CONTROL IN THE REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO MY BACKYARD FENCE, PLOWED THROUGH IT AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING MY RAISED PATIO!
LEXUS RX350 HAD A SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE AT AROUND 43,000. IT WAS NOT VERY CLEAR INITIALLY ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AC WAS ON. NOW AT 76,000 MILES, THE NOISE IS VERY LOUD AND LEXUS SAID IT IS THE WATER PUMP SLOWLY GOING BAD. NOW THE CAR, AFTER 70,000 MILES IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS ONLINE WITH COMMON BEARINGS FAILURE ON TOYOTA/LEXUS WATER PUMPS. I WOUNDER IF THIS IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE GIVEN THE WELL KNOW RELIABILITY OF THE LEXUS BRAND.
I purchased a 2013 Lexus RX 350 pearl white in color. After about 2 years I noticed spots mainly on the roof and now it is everywhere. The curious thing about the spots are that they are under the clear coat. We had the vehicle checked by a paint professional and we confirmed that it was factory paint. I like to report this issue .
DRIVING NORMAL SPEED ON FRWY #1 LANE(4 LANE) - NO WARNING-LIGHTS OR ANYTHING, SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PULLED OFF FRWY GOT OUT OPEN PASS SIDE DOOR TO RETRIEVE PURSE THEN SAW FLAMES COME THROUGH ON DRIVER SIDE, CLOSED DOOR AND CALLED 911 - CAR ENGINE ON FIRE
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED . HEARD THE POP WHILE ON THE FREEWAY WITH NOTHING ABOVE ME OR NEAR ME. MY INSIDE COVER WAS CLOSED BUT WHEN I GOT OUT AND SHUT THE DOOR THE SHATTERED GLASS FELL ON THE THE COVER. I'M 99% SURE NOTHING HIT ME BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ONE EVEN CLOSE. IT JUST POPPED AND SHATTERED. I WAS ON SE BELTWAY IN PASADENA TX BETWEEN I-45 AND THE TOLL BOOTH HEADING EAST AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC . IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. NOW I HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM MANY OTHERS THAT THEIR SUN ROOF BROKE ALSO. COULD IT BE A DEFECT? I DID GET IT REPAIRED .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS RX 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED, RATTLED, LOOSENED, AND WAS COMING OUT OF PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF PALM BEACH (5700 OKEECHOBEE BOULEVARD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33427, (561)-291-6004) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE SAME DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT STALLED SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. THE STEEERING SHAFT WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *LN *TR
I HAD BRAKED TO A STOP ON A CITY STREET IN BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC THAT WAS STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT. SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, MY CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD THOUGH MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. IT MADE A NOISE LIKE THE ENGINE WAS ACCELERATING. MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT. AS HE MOVED FORWARD, MY CAR AGAIN STRUCK IT. I HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARKING GEAR TO GET IT TO STOP MOVING. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALER. THEY CHECKED AND SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE EVENT DATA RECORDER THAT I HAD READ ABOUT ONLINE. THEY SAID THE CAR HAD NO SUCH THING. NOBODY SHOULD DRIVE THIS CAR - SOMEBODY COULD GET HURT BADLY IF THAT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAPPENS AGAIN. I LEASE THIS CAR AND WILL TERMINATE THE LEASE. I HOPE WHOEVER THINKS OF BUYING THIS CAR WILL SEE THIS REPORT AND STAY AWAY FROM IT. IT IS UNSAFE.
I HAVE THE ORIGINAL TIRES FOR MY BRAND 2013 LEXUS RX350 BOUGHT AT LENS STOLERS (OWINGS MILLS MD) IN JULY 2013. THE MICHELIN TIRE P235/60R18 DOT B9XF RPNX 1512 SHOULD BE RECALLED.. TIRE STARTED SHOWING WEAR WITH A SPLIT IN RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDEWALL WE SUSPECTED DRYROT WITH LESS THEN 25K MILES. TOOK TO LENS STOLERS, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT DEFECTED TIRE. READDRESS AGAIN WITH LENS STOLER IN AUGUST BY PHONE SINCE THE SPLIT HAD BECOME A GASH OF TIRE MISSING. (SEE PICTURES) DEALERSHIP AGAIN DENIED DEFECT. WENT TO REPLACE TIRES ON NOVEMBER 2, 2015 AT A REPUTABLE PLACE...THEY SAID TIRE WERE DEFECTED AND TO GO BACK TO MY DEALERSHIP. LEFT THERE AND WENT BACK TO LENS STOLERS WHO STILL DENIED DEFECT AND TOLD ME TO CALL MICHELIN SINCE TIRES WERE THEIRS. I TOLD THEM THE TIRES CAME WITH MY BRAND NEW CAR PURCHASE THERE. THEY SENT ME TO NTB FOR MICHELIN DEALS WITH THEM FOR PRORATES. NTB ESTABLISHED ALL 4 TIRES WERE DRYROTTED. I SAW SEVERAL RECALLS HOWEVER MY DOT WAS NOT INCLUDED. BUT CLEARLY THESE TIRE MICHELIN P235/60R18 DOT B9XF RPNX 1512 SHOULD BE RECALLED.
VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED FROM A STANDING STOP COLLIDED WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. TOYOTA EXAMINED THE EVENT DATA RECORDER. THEY SAID THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE (IMPOSSIBLE AS IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN). THEY SAID THE FLOOR MAT WAS UNSECURED (NOT SO I CHECKED IT AS DID THE LOCAL POLICE). THE LETTER FROM TOYOTA IS A COMPLETE WHITEWASH OF WHAT HAPPENED. I HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE EVENT DATA RECORDER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS RX350. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,426.
APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW VEHICLE COMING TO A STOP SIGN, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT LIKE THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED, THE BRAKE RESISTED AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE, THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED,THERE WERE NO LIGHT INDICATORS ON THE DASH. I CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 1/4 MILE WITH 2 MORE STOP SIGNS WITH NO INCIDENT, ON THE 3RD STOP ( AT MY DESTINATION) THE CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP FOR ABOUT 30 FEET, NO DASH LIGHT INDICATORS, THE BRAKE RESISTED AGAIN. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE. *TR
UNDER ACCELERATION ON TO THE HIGHWAY EXHAUST SMELLS WILL ENTER THE VEHICLE THRU THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS WHEN A/C IS IN RECIRCULATE MODE. SMELLS WILL SUBSIDE WHEN CRUISING SPEEDS ARE REACHED. WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS VEHICLES THE SMELLS WILL MOMENTARILY ENTER THE CABIN UNDER ACCELERATION AND WILL SUBSIDE WHEN BACK TO CRUISE SPEED. WILL NOT HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN. BROUGHT TO DEALER MANY TIMES FOR REPAIR CANNOT FIX.
AT APPROX. 1:30 P.M. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP IN LINE FOR THE TOLL BOOTH AT THE THROGS NECK BRIDGE GOING BETWEEN THE BRONX TO QUEENS IN NEW YORK. MY FOOT, FORTUNATELY, WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CAR ENGINE ROARED AT SEEMINGLY FULL ACCELERATION AT WHICH TIME I PRESSED THE BRAKE HARD, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ENGINE ROARED EVEN IN NEUTRAL. AT NO TIME DID MY FOOT SLIP TO THE ACCELERATOR NOR DID ANY OBJECT FALL ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE FLOOR MATS WERE SECURELY FASTENED. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT THE TIME THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY DEATH. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO RALLYE LEXUS IN GLEN COVE, N.Y. THE NEXT DAY AND THEY PERFORMED THEIR REQUIRED LEXUS TSA ENGINEERS TESTS, COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. *TR
THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE ON THE TOP OF A DRIVEWAY THAT GOES DOWNHILL. THE CAR WAS TURNED ON AND WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS RELEASED, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SHOT DOWN THE HILL LIKE A BULLET AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE CAR. WE WENT THROUGH 3 FENCES BEFORE THE CAR WAS FINALLY STOPPED BY THE THIRD FENCE. THE CAR HAD 4 PASSENGERS IN IT. THE PASSENGERS ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, SUSTAINED THE MOST INJURIES. NONE OF THE 10 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
2013 LEXUS R-350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE ACCIDENT. *SMD *TR
SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE VEHICLE DEFECT; POSSIBLE CRASH, INJURY OR DEATH 2013 LEXUS RX 350. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED DURING THE 15, 4000 MILES SHE PUT ON THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE, SHE EXPERIENCED FOUR EPISODES OF FREE WHEELING, WHEREIN THE VEHICLE, WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION, BUT SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL MODE WITH NO GEAR ENGAGED, WHILE THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO COAST FORWARD UNTIL, SUDDENLY, THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD BECAUSE HER FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE CAR SHOOK WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING IT BEFORE AND IT WAS MORE SUBTLE BUT THIS TIME IT WAS NOT. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES I WAS NOT SURE IF THE BRAKES WOULD STOP THE CAR IN TIME. AFTER THAT TRIP I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL SO I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AND MENTIONED MY EXPERIENCE. THEY UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE FOR THE SAFETY RECALL AND TEST DROVE MY VEHICLE FOR THE COMPLAINT AND FOUND OUT A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THE ROTOR OF THE BRAKES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL ODOR WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS TO BECOME ILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOR WAS CAUSED BY MOISTURE BUILD UP AROUND THE AIR CONDITIONING FILTER BUT NO REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR STARTED TO CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY WHILE SHE WAS IN THE REAR AREA, STRIKING THE CONTACT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK EXTREME FORCE TO MAKE THE DOOR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,521. *TR
MY NEW 2013 LEXUS RX-350 MAKES A SIGNIFICANT AUDIBLE "CLUNKING" SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A FIRM STOP AT EITHER LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS. THIS CLUNKING SOUND OCCURS WITH EVERY STOP FROM JUST A FEW MILES AN HOUR TO FASTER SPEEDS. LEXUS OF LAS VEGAS MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND CONFIRM THE "CLUNKING" SOUND IS FRAME/SUSPENSION RELATED AND IS NOT A LOOSE SPARE TIRE OR OTHER ISSUE. THEY INDICATE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE IS NO FIX AS IT IS A PECULIARITY/DEFECT WITH ALL 2013 LEXUS RX-350 CARS. I PERSONALLY DROVE ANOTHER 2013 LEXUS RX-350 AT THE DEALERSHIP WHICH MAKE THE SAME CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REPEATED "CLUNKING SOUND" IS IS DEFINITELY A VEHICLE DEFECT IN MY 2013 LEXUS RX-350. I AM NOT A SAFETY ENGINEER NOR WERE ANY OF THE LEXUS REPRESENTATIVES WHO LOOKED AT THE CAR AND THE "CLUNKING" SOUND ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. FROM A MENTAL STATE OF MIND STANDPOINT, THE REPEATED "CLUNKING" SOUND WHEN STOPPING IS A MAJOR ATTENTION DISTRACTION AND REPRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME GIVEN IT'S INTENSITY AND CONSTANT REPEATABILITY. MY 2013 LEXUS RX-350 CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR INSPECTION. REQUEST YOU RESEARCH THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE REPEATED "CLUNKING" SOUND IN THE 2013 LEXUS RX-350 SERIES OF VEHICLES, AND MY VEHICLE, AND DETERMINE IF IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND OTHERS WHO OWN 2013 LEXUS RX-350 VEHICLES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
WAS DRIVING IN SNOW 10 MPH WHEN ANTILOCK BRAKES QUIT WORKING. LEXUS SAID IT WAS THE BRAKER ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
I WAS DRIVING ON I-59 NORTH WITH WIFE AS PASSENGER WITH RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH APPROACHING DEPARTURE EXIT. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE CC AND IT DID NOT RELEASE. THINKING I HAD NOT TAPPED IT HARD ENOUGH, I MADE THE TURN AND TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER. THE CC DID NOT RELEASE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES WITH FULL FORCE. THE ENGINE RACED TO SATISFY THE CC AND THE SPEED WAS 69 MPH GOING INTO THE EXIT. MY FOCUS WAS STEERING THE VEHICLE TO AVOID OBJECTS AND TRAFFIC. WE CRASHED ACROSS A FOUR LANE CONCRETE CURBED BOULEVARD AND INTO A CHAIN-LINK FENCE. I STEERED DOWN A FRONTAGE ROAD AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THIS WAS A 30 SECOND + EVENT. THE BLACK BOX CAPTURED 9.5 SECONDS OF INFORMATION. LEXUS DOWNLOADED THE BLACK BOX AND I REQUESTED A COPY OF THE INFORMATION WHICH THEY DID FURNISH ON A THUMB DRIVE. THEY IMMEDIATELY ERASED ALL EVIDENCE OF THE CRASH FROM THE VEHICLE DATA RECORDER AND PROCLAIMED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE THUMB DRIVE DATA CLEARLY DISPLAYS THAT THE CAR WAS TRAVELING 69 MPH ON THE DATA RECORDER. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT THE CC DROPPED OUT DURING THE CRASH. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA LEGAL IN TORRANCE, CA, INDICATING THAT THEIR REVIEW OF THE VEHICLE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THE CASE WAS CLOSED. THE BODY SHOP REPAIRS WERE $16K PLUS THE DEPRECIATED VALUE OF THE VEHICLE IS $11K. NALLEY LEXUS GALLERIA, SMYRNA, GA, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, DEFERS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO TOYOTA. I HAVE BEEN A TOYOTA CUSTOMER SINCE 1990 AND THIS HAS BEEN MY THIRD LEXUS RX. BITTER SWEET END! MB
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE, JUST LIKE THE RECALL ISSUED TO 2004 LEXUS MODELS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026