2013 Lexus ES
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 17 of 69 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 120 in 2012 to 69 in 2013.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | vs. 2013 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850 | 2,850 | 1,550–2,600 | 1,550–2,600 | 1,550–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 22 | 22 | 24–40 | 24–40 | 24–40 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19 / 27 | 19 / 27 | 21–40 / 31–39 | 21–40 / 30–39 | 21–40 / 31–39 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404 | 404 | 224–365 | 223–365 | 223–364 | |
| Complaints filed | 199 | 120 | 69 | 42 | 27 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 8 | 14 | 7 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Lexus ES have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Lexus ES?
Brakes: 17 of 69 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Lexus ES get?
EPA rates it 24–40 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Lexus ES?
EPA estimates $1,550–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 365 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 40 mpg (high) | 39 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | $1,550 (low) | 224 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 17 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 14 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING · Campaign 15V728000 · Nov 3, 2015
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.
Consequence: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.