Home · 2013 Lexus RX 350h · Complaints

What 78 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Lexus RX 350h

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (78)Crash / fire / injury (19)Brakes (15)Electrical system (14)Body & structure (12)Speed control (10)Airbags (8)Engine (7)Steering (7)Transmission & drivetrain (5)Lights (4)Fuel system (2)

4 of 78 complaints match · Body & structure · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Apr 8, 2026Electrical systemBody & structureFire

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.

NHTSA ODI 11729838

Aug 16, 2018Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

DRIVING DOWN I-85S IN BETWEEN MORELAND AND GRANTVILLE, GA MY CAR MADE A THUMP SOUND AND THEN CUTOFF. I PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO SEE WHY IT CUT OFF. I EXITED THE CAR WITH MY PASSENGERS AND WE NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE NEXT THING WE NOTICE IS THAT THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND WENT UP IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 11120486

Aug 19, 2016Body & structureSpeed controlBrakesCrash

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!

NHTSA ODI 10897034

Mar 11, 2014Body & structure1 injury

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

NHTSA ODI 10568513

Working with the data? Download all 78 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Lexus RX 350h verdict →