The Lemon Index2013 Lexus RX.
The 2013 Lexus RX is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 24 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 19, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 1 recall, and it gets 20 to 29 mpg combined. The best Lexus RX year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 90 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Lexus RX 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 21K to 85K miles on the car (59 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
- brakes 2014
In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder.
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 328 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Abnormal noise from the rear cabin area
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus RX350 SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lexus RX350 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lexus RX450h SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lexus RX450h SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2750–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Was driving in snow 10 mph when antilock brakes quit working. Lexus said it was the braker actuator assembly.
2013 Lexus RX owner · NHTSA complaint 10502685
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Lexus RX reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 5.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 19; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus RX year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2013 Lexus RX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (25%), speed control (21%) and transmission & drivetrain (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Lexus RX have?
1 safety recall (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Lexus RX get?
20 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Lexus RX 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 RX problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,000 and 85,200 miles. The middle report was at 53,000 miles, from 59 complaints.
Does the 2013 Lexus RX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Lexus RX cost in fuel a year?
About $2750 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Lexus RX have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lexus RX year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2011 and 2012.
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