2013 Lexus RX350 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 10%of 59 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Lexus RX350, 10% of the 59 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 complaint #11120486, filed 2018-08, 103,000 miles“Lexus RX350 had a slight grinding noise at around 43,000. It was not very clear initially especially when the AC was on. Now at 76,000 miles, the noise is very loud and Lexus said it is the water pump slowly going bad. Now the car, after 70,000 miles is out of warranty. I have seen reports online with common bearings failure on toyota/Lexus water pumps. I wounder if this is a systemic issue given the well know reliability of the Lexus brand.”
NHTSA complaint #11232212, filed 2019-07, 43,000 miles“My car blew up. The engine caught fire as I was driving on the highway. Mile marker 372 i95s. I saw smoke coming out of the engine and then fire started so I pulled over on the left shoulder and the fire burst into full flames”
NHTSA complaint #11373660, filed 2020-11, 85,000 miles“At approx. 1:30 p.m. I was at a complete stop in line for the toll booth at the throgs neck bridge going between the bronx to queens in new york. My foot, fortunately, was firmly on the brake at the time of the incident. The car engine roared at seemingly full acceleration at which time I pressed the brake hard, shifted into neutral and turned off the ignition. Please note that the engine roared even in neutral. At no time did my foot slip to the accelerator nor did any object fall on the accelerator and the floor mats were securely fastened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10648642, filed 2014-10, 13,010 miles“Driving normal speed on frwy #1 lane(4 lane) - no warning-lights or anything, smoke from engine compartment, pulled off frwy got out open pass side door to retrieve purse then saw flames come through on driver side, closed door and called 911 - car engine on fire”
NHTSA complaint #10851248, filed 2016-03, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10164328Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev1: G1668 Applicability has been updated to include 2019 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles. G2158 The Techstream Preparation and Process…
- 10057003Jul 31, 2014Lexus: some of the vehicles are experiencing oil leaks from the engine coolers.
- 10133748Mar 26, 2014Prior to installing remanufactured U660 and U760 transaxles, it is necessary to remove the lower oil cooler tube union from the original transaxle case and install it into the…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 10% |
| 2020 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 3 | 10% |
| 2018 | 3 | 17% |
| 2017 | 6 | 13% |
| 2016 | 5 | 9% |
| 2015 | 9 | 21% |
| 2013 | 6 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 12% |
| 2011 | 7 | 23% |
| 2010 | 8 | 9% |
| 2009 | 12 | 12% |
| 2008 | 12 | 10% |
| 2007 | 36 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2013 Lexus RX350
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Lexus RX350
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology