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2013 Lexus Rx350l
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
78 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 21, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#92 of 424Among the 2013 models with a matured record, the 2013 Lexus Rx350l ranks #92, scoring higher than 72% of them. See the 2013 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
Varies 4–5 stars by trim; shown conservatively.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2013 Lexus RX350 SUV FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 18%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2013 Lexus Rx350l, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Brakes (15) · Electrical system (14) · Body & structure (12) · Speed control (10)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Brakes
19%15 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“USE HANDBRAKE EVERY TIME. THERE WILL BE AN EXPLOSION SOUND FROM THE BACK WHEN I RELEASE MY FOOT. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THIS PROBLEM. I THINK IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. I TRY…”
Electrical system
18%14 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“Odometer Fraud: The contact purchased a 2013 Lexus RX 350. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purch…”
Body & structure
15%12 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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 spot…”
Speed control
13%10 complaints
“MY VEHICLE STALLS FREQUENTLY ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE SPEED IS INTERRUPTED BY A SUDDEN STOP. IT WILL STALL WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START BACK IN TRAFFIC. I'VE COME VERY CL…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 78 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 19 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 14V054000
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 warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Lexus before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 Lexus Rx350l. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report brakes problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any brakes symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 Lexus RX350L beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every Rx350l model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 Lexus Rx350l against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.