The Lemon Index2013 Lexus ES.
The 2013 Lexus ES is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 23 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 26, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 1 recall, and it gets 24 to 40 mpg combined. The best Lexus ES year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 65 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Lexus ES year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 56K miles on the car (45 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 1
- automatic emergency braking 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 323 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ?
- Adhesive & Sealant Cross Reference Information/ Engine Hybrid System
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus ES300H 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lexus ES350 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1600–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The car was in a very bad front end collision 1-15-16, and not 1 air bag deployed. We can send photos, and the car is on hold, not to be touched at the insurance storage yard. Please contact us for more info.
2013 Lexus ES owner · NHTSA complaint 10821821
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Lexus ES reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 26; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus ES year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2013 Lexus ES problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (22%), body structure (17%) and visibility (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Lexus ES have?
1 safety recall (latest: automatic emergency braking). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Lexus ES get?
24 to 40 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Lexus ES safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Lexus ES problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,800 and 56,800 miles. The middle report was at 34,200 miles, from 45 complaints.
Does the 2013 Lexus ES have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Lexus ES cost in fuel a year?
About $1600 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Lexus ES have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lexus ES year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2012 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works