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Lexus IS 250Model year report

2013 Lexus IS 250 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
39,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl AWD · 21 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Lexus IS 250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2013 Lexus IS 250. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by wheels (2) and engine (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 39,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 244 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Wheels complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “The contact's mother owns a 2013 Lexus IS 250. While the driver was attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shift lever was placed in park with the brake pedal depressed. Suddenly, the vehicle accelerated independently, drove over a curb, struck a tree, and struck a parked vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver was injured and sought medical attention at the emergency room. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the repair was still pending. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11287952, filed 2019-12, 50,000 miles

Wheels: “The problem that many is250 Lexus owners are having with the front tires wearing out or tearing from the inside. I have found that the issue is the suspension where the front tire and a cotter pin meet every time you hit a bump or pot hole. This has caused great damage to both front tires to the extent where you can see the steel belt. Lexus has gone as far as to blame the tire manufacture and has not taken responsibility for the problem. I ask that this issue be investigated before a life is lost due to negligence.”

NHTSA complaint #10862390, filed 2016-05, 1 miles

Steering: “When steering wheel is turned to the right while driving. A metal scraping noise occurs. This has been fixed several times but keeps occuring more often. This only happens when car is in motion. And I believe it has something to do with the placement of the brake shield. As if something is pressing on it.”

NHTSA complaint #11220934, filed 2019-06, 38,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

75% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 40,000 miles.

25%0–100%10–2550%25–5025%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 39,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20162018220192
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Lexus IS 250. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
IS250 · sedan AWD★★★★☆4 / 4545 · 10.1% risk
IS250 · sedan RWD★★★★☆4 / 4545 · 10.1% risk

Neighbouring years: 2014: 5 stars overall. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 Lexus IS 250 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
IS 250 AWD2.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic212723$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 Lexus IS 250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 244 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 244 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus IS 250

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20151610,0000524—Falling
20143525,500052413 · FewerFalling
2013539,0002423—Not enough data
20121740,0004—22—Falling
2011305,2954—2232 · FewerStable
20104038,5576—2250 · TypicalStable
20094857,4506—2456 · TypicalStable
200812566,0005—2465 · MoreFalling
200721375,0005—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200618983,4116—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus IS 250 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Lexus IS 250 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2013 Lexus IS 250 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Lexus IS 250 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by wheels with 2.

Has the 2013 Lexus IS 250 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2013 Lexus IS 250 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2013 Lexus IS 250 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Lexus IS 250 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Lexus IS 250 (IS 250 AWD, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Lexus IS 250 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 39,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 40,000 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.