VehicleVerdict

2013 Lexus Es Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 12 complaints on file for the 2013 Lexus Es Hybrid — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

12

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Es Hybrid years?

Es Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted15 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 15 complaints2015: 10 complaints2016: 12 complaints2017: 1 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 4 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 0 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 0 complaints
Es Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Es Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Lexus Es Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control325%
Brakes217%
Other217%
Body & Structure217%
Engine18%
Transmission18%
Airbags18%

Does the 2013 Lexus Es Hybrid have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V728000Driver AssistanceNovember 3, 2015 · 30,812 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE CAR EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. WHILE THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL AND BOUNCED OVER A CURB, DOWN A HILL, STRIKING A PICK UP AND A TREE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 8, 2017 · crash

“ABS BRAKE FAILURE CODE C1391 BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION DURING EMERGENCY STOP WHILE IN MOTION DRY CITY STREET, LUCKY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. COST OF REPAIR $ 5000.00 BY LEXUS DEALER. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH BOTH LEXUS AND TOYOTA VEHICLES. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK AFTER THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 14, 2018

“CAR WAS REAR ENDED BY FORD F-150 PRETTY HARD WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND GOT PUSHED FORWARD INTO THE FRONT SUV VEHICLE WHICH ALSO GOT PUSHED FORWARD FROM STATIONARY POSITION AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. CAR GOT TOTALED THAT THE LENGTH OF THE CAR SHRUNK WRAPPING THE FRONT AND BACK RAILS AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 24, 2015 · crash

“CAR WAS REAR ENDED BY FORD F-150 PRETTY HARD WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND GOT PUSHED FORWARD INTO THE FRONT SUV VEHICLE WHICH ALSO GOT PUSHED FORWARD FROM STATIONARY POSITION AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. CAR GOT TOTALED THAT THE LENGTH OF THE CAR SHRUNK WRAPPING THE FRONT AND BACK RAILS AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 24, 2015 · crash

“THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FACING UPHILL IN MY DRIVEWAY. I STARTED THE CAR AND SET THE GEAR SHIFT/SELECTOR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) TO DRIVE POSITION WHILE CHECKING THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA WAS NOT ENGAGED. I RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BREAK WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND CONFIRMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 9, 2018 · crash

2013 Lexus Es Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2013 Lexus Es Hybrid reliable?

The record is thin — 12 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2013 Es Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (3 complaints), brakes (2 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints).

Does the 2013 Lexus Es Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2013 Lexus Es Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Lexus Es Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.