2013 LEXUS RX350 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
39
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
13
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2013 LEXUS RX350
The 2013 LEXUS RX350 has received a total of 39 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. 13 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Unknown Or Other (6 complaints), Electrical System (5 complaints), and Structurebody (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 2013 LEXUS RX350
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2013 LEXUS RX350, potentially affecting up to 522,228 vehicles.
Recall 14V054000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
| 261,114 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
View full details →Recall 14V054000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
| 261,114 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2013 LEXUS RX350
39 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 LEXUS RX350. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2013 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that after closing the liftgate door and reversing out of the car port, the liftgate door erroneously opened and struck the car port causing damage to the liftgate. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that recently the liftgate lowered independently. The failure occurred several times while placing items into the back of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 40,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while driving at speeds exceeding 70 MPH, the steering wheel was violently shaking and vibrating. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was no longer covered under an unknown Extended Service Campaign. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000. The contact stated that the manufacturer did not want to address the issue due to the vehicle's model year. There was a TSB involving later model years for the same issue, the faulty steering column.
NO PROBLEM AS OF NOW SAW IT ON RECALL IN CONSUMER REPORT
I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ON THIS VEHICLE STARTED TO FAIL - FIRST IT STARTED WITH FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND NOW IN ADDITION TO FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, THE DRIVER DOOR AND THE REAR RIGHT DOOR AUTOMATIC LOCKS TO NOT ENGAGE WHEN I TRY TO LOCK/UNLOCK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THESE AT A COST OF ~$1,000 FOR EACH DOOR AND THINK THIS IS UNFAIR SINCE THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ON THIS MODEL FAILING ONLINE AND IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE DOOR ACTUATOR FAILING (BUT NOT RECALLED) (SEE LEXUS OWNER SITE AND YOUTUBE - SEARCH "2013 LEXUS RX350 DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING" ON GOOGLE FOR DETAILS). I AM CURRENTLY MANUALLY LOCKING/UNLOCKING THESE DOORS AND FEEL UNSAFE AND FEEL MY PERSONAL PROPERTY INSIDE THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO THEFT SINCE SOMETIMES I FORGET TO LOCK THESE 3 DOORS MANUALLY WHEN DRIVING ALONE IN VEHICLE. NOTE THE ABOVE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET/HIGHWAY, AND TURNING.
MY 2013 LEXUS AWD RX 350 HAS A FAULTY WIRE HARNESS WHICH HAS SHORTED OUT ITS GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM, RADIO, AND MEDIA CENTER. I REPLACED THE HEADLAMP ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE AND THE BLAST, BUT THE 15 AMP FUSE CONTINUES TO BLOW OUT. THEREFORE, THE FAULTY WIRE HARNESS HAS CAUSED MY HEADLIGHTS, GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM, AND RADIO TO NO LONGER WORK.
Safety Rating for the 2013 LEXUS RX350
The 2013 LEXUS RX350 received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2013 LEXUS RX350
Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 13 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2013 LEXUS RX350. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
L-TT-0281-20 — EQUIPMENT
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering...
L-SB-0074-14 Rev — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
TSB: Revision Notice: The Parts information section, and Required Tools & Equipment section has been updated. Lexus models equipped with the HDD Navigation (EMV-N) System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB drive to update the map, points of interest, Gracenote®, and system software. The SST is used with all...
Re-notification_ — PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:ACTUATOR
RL: Safety Recall completion is important not only in satisfying government requirements but also as an integral part of our commitment to meet customer expectations of Lexus products. Lexus will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had recall campaign repairs completed. We...
L-SB-0011-13 Rev — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
This bulletin includes basic procedures for inspecting and adjusting World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) level at normal vehicle operating temperature.
L-SB-0011-13 Rev — POWER TRAIN
This bulletin includes basic procedures for inspecting and adjusting World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) level at normal vehicle operating temperature.
L-TT-0135-13 — BACK OVER PREVENTION
Some 2010-2013 RX350 vehicles may exhibit an exhaust ?rattle? type noise from one or both of the two exhaust manifold heat shields pictured below:
L-TT-0133-13 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
L-SB-0019-13 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Some 2012 ? 2013 model year RX 350 or RX 450h vehicles may display a ?Back Door Open? or ?Key Detected in Vehicle? warning message intermittently on the combination meter while the vehicle is in motion. This message may be triggered if the courtesy switch in the back door lock...
L-SB-0019-13 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some 2012 ? 2013 model year RX 350 or RX 450h vehicles may display a ?Back Door Open? or ?Key Detected in Vehicle? warning message intermittently on the combination meter while the vehicle is in motion. This message may be triggered if the courtesy switch in the back door lock...
L-SB-0012-13 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
Some 2013 model year ES 300h/350 and RX 350/450h vehicles equipped with Lexus Display Audio (non-navigation) may experience a transition delay on the display screen when shifting the vehicle from ?R? to ?D? and while an object is being detected in the corner sensor. If this condition exists, replacement of...
Showing 10 of 13 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2013 LEXUS RX350
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the LEXUS RX350
- 2008 LEXUS RX350 — 160 complaints
- 2009 LEXUS RX350 — 114 complaints
- 2010 LEXUS RX350 — 123 complaints
- 2011 LEXUS RX350 — 49 complaints
- 2012 LEXUS RX350 — 46 complaints
- 2013 LEXUS RX350 (current)
- 2014 LEXUS RX350 — 22 complaints
- 2015 LEXUS RX350 — 58 complaints
- 2016 LEXUS RX350 — 78 complaints
- 2017 LEXUS RX350 — 69 complaints
- 2018 LEXUS RX350 — 30 complaints
Other LEXUS Models
- LEXUS ES350 — 1,531 total complaints
- LEXUS RX — 1,154 total complaints
- LEXUS IS 250 — 938 total complaints
- LEXUS ES300 — 862 total complaints
- LEXUS RX300 — 849 total complaints
- LEXUS ES — 817 total complaints
- LEXUS IS — 765 total complaints
- LEXUS RX330 — 659 total complaints