LEXUS GS · model year

2013 LEXUS GS

24 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013LEXUSGS carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 GS is steering with 5 filings, followed by service brakes (3) and air bags (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2013 GS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

24
Complaints
8
Crashes
2
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

24 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING5
SERVICE BRAKES3
AIR BAGS2
SEAT BELTS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
SEATS2
SUSPENSION1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ENGINE1

Recent Complaints

20251219STEERING

The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2013 Lexus GS 350. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle while making a right or left turn, and the steering wheel was moved all the way. The contact stated that it felt like the tires were driving over a bumpy road. In addition, the vehicle independently veered to the left while driving. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering wheel electronic control unit had failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V221000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

20250530SERVICE BRAKES

Brake actuator or booster accumulator, always has been failing on Toyota/lexus hybrids, they need to do another bulletin or TSD because the malfunction is unsafe and many drivers are reporting it

20250524ENGINE

I started my car in the morning and when I started the engine it was an instant extreme rough idle with the engine light and traction control light blinking on my dashboard and the engine cuts out on its own. I have my car at a Toyota dealership since it’s closer than the Lexus dealership and they have ran an extensive testing diagnostic on my car resulting in a valve stuck open and a valve spring fell out. I have kept up the regular maintenance on my car, like every 5,000 miles fully synthetic oil changes, premium gas, regularly checking for recalls, always checking my fluids, correct tires and tire pressure, and I have in no way misused my car since it’s the only car I have to drive. I found that Lexus had a recall on the GS 350 for the 2007 to 2011 years for the problem I’m currently dealing with. In 2012 Lexus did not make a GS 350 but 2013 they were offered again and I feel like they didn’t resolve the engine problem before putting out the new production, at least for the

20240715STEERING

I own a 2013 GS350 RWD BASE MODEL. I have been having issues with the steering in this car since it was purchased in 2021 with100k miles. It seems to do great at lower speeds or on curvy roads, but when I drive on interstate going straight at around 70 to 80 mph is where it really becomes noticeable. The vehicle does not want to drive straight for anything. It does not pull in one certain direction; it is literally all over the road. I'd like to note that i have new shocks and upper shock mounts in the front, as well as tires all the way around, also replaced the sway bar linkages on the front and did an alignment. But the vehicle will veer from left to right with no rhyme or reason so bad that you cannot take your eyes off of the road to even adjust the ac or radio from fear of running into the concrete barricade or another vehicle. Something I'd like to add is that it really becomes prominent after about 10 to 15 min of interstate driving. I have taken it to two different Lex

20240530SEATS

Customer notice deterioration of the seat and proceeding monitoring the seat it was observed in 2021, 2023 & 2014 that while utilizing the seat heating electrical component the seat developed cracks as the heat released a burning sensation to the skin.

20240530UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Customer notice deterioration of the seat and proceeding monitoring the seat it was observed in 2021, 2023 & 2014 that while utilizing the seat heating electrical component the seat developed cracks as the heat released a burning sensation to the skin.

20240116CrashFireSERVICE BRAKES

This was an unintended acceleration with non functional braking of a Lexus GS 350. This occured on December 18 around 8:00 AM. The driver noticed an orange triangular light in the dash while travelling slowly through a neighborhood less than a mile from the incident. While approaching a lighted intersection, the car suddenly accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The brake pedal was stiff and did not work. The driver tried to avoid another vehicle by veering right. The car hit a curb, travelled over a small hill and ended up in a parking lot after the ensuing damage disabled the car. The driver was able to escape from the drivers door before a fire erupted on the drivers side of the engine bay. The driver's safety and any other cars or persons in the vicinity were obviously put at grave risk.

20240116CrashFireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

This was an unintended acceleration with non functional braking of a Lexus GS 350. This occured on December 18 around 8:00 AM. The driver noticed an orange triangular light in the dash while travelling slowly through a neighborhood less than a mile from the incident. While approaching a lighted intersection, the car suddenly accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The brake pedal was stiff and did not work. The driver tried to avoid another vehicle by veering right. The car hit a curb, travelled over a small hill and ended up in a parking lot after the ensuing damage disabled the car. The driver was able to escape from the drivers door before a fire erupted on the drivers side of the engine bay. The driver's safety and any other cars or persons in the vicinity were obviously put at grave risk.

20230324ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

clock inoperable Lumber Support Button/ Motor is inoperable. Lexus Dealership found that the cable is broken and needs to be replaced on the Driver and Passenger side. As the cable is broken it makes the driver side seat loose

20230324SEATS

clock inoperable Lumber Support Button/ Motor is inoperable. Lexus Dealership found that the cable is broken and needs to be replaced on the Driver and Passenger side. As the cable is broken it makes the driver side seat loose

20230306STEERING

When driving at highway speeds for more than 10 minutes the steering becomes increasingly stiff until it starts locking the wheel in position. It takes quite a bit of force to get it to unlock and then whatever new position it's in it will lock that new position. It will lock in a straight line or in a turn so I could let go of the wheel and it will keep turning. This leads to a potentially dangerous ping ponging back and forth until I get it to lock in a position that matches the road to stay in my lane. If I slow down to below 40mph it resets back to a normal steering feel until I speed up again. The alignment and wheel balance are both good. The suspension components are not warn out to cause a change in alignment. The car does not have lane keep assist or anything that might do that on purpose. It seems quite a few other people are having this same issue and dealerships do not seem to know what it is or how to fix it. Some people have had success with replacing the steering rack a

20220331VISIBILITY/WIPER

2013 Lexus GS 350 Stuck Wiper blades; DANGER LEVEL EXTREMELY HIGH - MAY AFFECT 2013-2015 AND 2016-2020 GS MODELS When using the wipes in either automatic mode or manual speed selection they can become stuck in the rain in the up position blocking the windshield's view. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Deemed a MAJOR FLAW, the wiper blades can get stuck in any position while wiping. This occurs when the wiper blades are used and it is raining. This is very hard to replicate with windshield wiper fluid. To remedy the malfunction to survive in a LIFE or DEATH moment of LIMITED VISIBILITY, the driver must quickly push the wiper lever activator up and down to reset it and or pushing in the automatic rain sensing function button. Also, when stopped at a stoplight and resuming acceleration, the rain sensor does not pick up rain at low, medium, or heavy rain and does not engage the wipers. Again, the user must re-engage the wiper system by turning it on and off again multiple times while drivi

20210623STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

STICKY AND CRACKED DASHBOARD

20210502STEERING

NOTCHY STEERING FEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE STEERING EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT NON-BINDING, NOTCHY STEERING FEELING AND/OR STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT SELF-CENTER CONDITION WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. LIFE THREATENING. VEERS TO LEFT OR RIGHT AND NEEDS QUICK CORRECTION.

Mileage: 80,550

20201010FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL ECONOMY BECAME VERY POOR. FOLLOWING DAY HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR CAR RUNNING LEAN. WENT TO FILL UP CAR AT GAS STATION, AND AFTER IT WAS FILLED IT WOULD NOT START AND JUST CRANK. AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS AND THROTTLING THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND FINALLY STARTED. CAR WAS THEN PARKED AFTER MOVING TO A SAFE LOCATION.

Mileage: 69,500

20201004VISIBILITY/WIPER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS GET STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND DO NOT WORK. MALFUNCTIONING WIPERS, NO ERROR CODE WITH NO FIX. VERY DANGEROUS UNDER EXTREME WEATHER CONDTIONS WHERE WIPERS ARE NEEDED. NOT WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM A TOYOTA PRODUCT. I DEMAND THIS BE FIXED AS I'VE HAD MUCH OLDER CARS WITH NO ISSUES OF WIPERS MALFUNCTION. I COULD CRASH, DIE OR INJURY SOMEONE BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 41,900 MILES ON IT AND THE WIPERS ARE BARELY USED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING! IT IS NOT BECAUSE I DID SOMETHING TO THE WIPERS EITHER. I HAVE NEVER GONE THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH AND EVEN IF I DID THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THAT. THIS IS A LEXUS, WHERE IS THE PERFECTION?

Mileage: 41,900

20200427ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE STRUTS ARE FAILING (LEAKING) AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ACROSS THE INTERNET. ALSO, THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS STOP WORKING PERIODICALLY. AND FINALLY, THE REAR DEFROSTER STOPED WORKING. I'VE OWNED MUCH CHEAPER CARS WITH WELL OVER 100,000 MILES AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 82,000 AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF AS I HAVE ANOTHER CAR THAT I LEASE AND THE LEXUS IS USUALLY IN THE GARAGE.

Mileage: 82,000

20200427SUSPENSION

THE STRUTS ARE FAILING (LEAKING) AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ACROSS THE INTERNET. ALSO, THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS STOP WORKING PERIODICALLY. AND FINALLY, THE REAR DEFROSTER STOPED WORKING. I'VE OWNED MUCH CHEAPER CARS WITH WELL OVER 100,000 MILES AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 82,000 AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF AS I HAVE ANOTHER CAR THAT I LEASE AND THE LEXUS IS USUALLY IN THE GARAGE.

Mileage: 82,000

20200321CrashAIR BAGS

SEPTEMBER 27TH 2017 - 2013 LEXUS GS 350 FOR 26432 FROM SANTA MONICA LEXUS IN LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA SOLD THE CAR WITHOUT THE DEALER REVEALING RECALLS ON THE CAR BY CALIFORNIA LAW IT IS ILLEGAL TO NOT DISCLOSE INFORMATION ON NOVEMBER 2ND 2018 17 HE WAS MY ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATER I FOUND OUT THAT HER HAIR BACK WOULD NOT EVEN HAVE TO BELIEVE IN THE DEALER DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WHICH IS A LOOFAH JANUARY 1ST OF 2019 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER TELLING ME TO RETURN A CAR BECAUSE OF DASHBOARD RECALL DEALERSHIP DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO FIX THE DASHBOARD SEND WITH A LATER ON I FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAVE PERFORMED TWO OR THREE SET TEMP TO FIX ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FLASH SOFTWARE TWICE FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THAT VOID YOUR WARRANTY I TURN MY CAR IN JANUARY 5TH 2019 SEND A RECEIPT TO RETURN MY CAR WITH THEY HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHT TO HOLD HE CLAIMED IT DONE WORK ON MY CAR BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE SERVICE RECORDS TO NOT THAT THEY DIDN'T WORK ON MY CAR AND I NEV

Mileage: 60,698

20200321CrashSEAT BELTS

SEPTEMBER 27TH 2017 - 2013 LEXUS GS 350 FOR 26432 FROM SANTA MONICA LEXUS IN LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA SOLD THE CAR WITHOUT THE DEALER REVEALING RECALLS ON THE CAR BY CALIFORNIA LAW IT IS ILLEGAL TO NOT DISCLOSE INFORMATION ON NOVEMBER 2ND 2018 17 HE WAS MY ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATER I FOUND OUT THAT HER HAIR BACK WOULD NOT EVEN HAVE TO BELIEVE IN THE DEALER DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WHICH IS A LOOFAH JANUARY 1ST OF 2019 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER TELLING ME TO RETURN A CAR BECAUSE OF DASHBOARD RECALL DEALERSHIP DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO FIX THE DASHBOARD SEND WITH A LATER ON I FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAVE PERFORMED TWO OR THREE SET TEMP TO FIX ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FLASH SOFTWARE TWICE FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THAT VOID YOUR WARRANTY I TURN MY CAR IN JANUARY 5TH 2019 SEND A RECEIPT TO RETURN MY CAR WITH THEY HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHT TO HOLD HE CLAIMED IT DONE WORK ON MY CAR BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE SERVICE RECORDS TO NOT THAT THEY DIDN'T WORK ON MY CAR AND I NEV

Mileage: 60,698

Compare 2013LEXUSGS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 LEXUS GS have?
The 2013 LEXUS GS has 24 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 LEXUS GS?
The most-complained component for the 2013 LEXUS GS is STEERING with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2013 LEXUS GS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.