Lexus · IS · 2013
0
Recalls
8
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2013 Lexus IS has no recalls and 8 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (2 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
This model was affected by the originally cosmetic, but well documented "sticky dash" recall. I am an automotive enthusiast who has worked within the industry for over 12 years, including notifying customers of NHTSA recalls and assisting with scheduling recalls to be performed. The dashboard can be severely melted to the point of becoming a mirror finish, I was driving at night in the headlights from an opposing truck reflected off the shiny surface of the dashboard having been melted by sunlight. I have great vision and was wearing prescription lenses, the incident nearly caused an oncoming collision. I slid into a ditch briefly and did not sustain damage to my vehicle.
See attached document for complaint.
The dashboard is melting - it is sticky and shiny. The glare it causes on the windshield is horrific. I have a very difficult time seeing when the sun is out. An independent service center has inspected and confirmed it is caused by the melting dashboard. I first noticed it a few months ago. I travel to Nashville often, which is a 3.5 hour drive, and the sight obstruction at interstate driving speeds and traffic is challenging to say the least. I am afraid to drive my car with my granddaughter in with me because it is truly dangerous.
I am writing to bring to your attention the grave matter of odometer rollback fraud, consumer law violations, and a series of fraudulent activities that have occurred in connection with my recent vehicle purchase. I am seeking a settlement of $60,000 to rectify the significant damages and hardships I have endured as a result of these unethical practices. The issues at hand stem from the fraudulent rollback of the odometer by 100,000 miles on the vehicle I purchased from a moving rides dealership. This deception has not only violated various consumer protection laws and Department of Motor Vehicle regulations but has also endangered my safety and well-being by knowingly selling me a vehicle that was not roadworthy and unsafe to operate . In light of these unfortunate events, I would like to detail a few aspects for which I am seeking compensation: 1. Reimbursement for Travel Expenses: I incurred considerable expenses, both monetary and time-wise, traveling a total of 1,025 miles for trips related to the purchase and subsequent issues with the vehicle. The 22 hours spent on the road and the three days of missed work have imposed severe financial strain. 2. Insurance Payment Refund: I was coerced into obtaining insurance coverage before taking possession of the vehicle, due to misrepresentation of the condition of the vehicle I didn’t get to take the car home till three weeks after the purchase. 3. Down Payment Refund: The undue distress caused by this fraudulent transaction warrants the return of my initial down payment. 4. Legal Fees and Filing Costs: Pursuing justice has come at a significant cost, both in terms of legal representation and filing fees, which I believe should be compensated. 5. Vehicle Rental Reimbursement: The unsafe condition of the purchased vehicle, compounded by expired tags, made it essential for me to secure alternative transportation for both work and personal use. 6. Restitution for Pain and Suffering
EXHAUST HEADER LEAK, AUDIBLE TICKING SOUND ONCE WARMED UP IN DRIVE
VALLEY PLATE LEAK DUE TO THE FACT THAT TOYOTA/LEXUS UTILIZED THE IMPROPER SEALANT AND USED THE IMPROPER AMOUNT, LEADING TO THE HEAT EXCHANGER LEAKING COOLANT ONCE THE ORIGINAL, INADEQUATE SEALANT BEGINS TO DISENTEGRATE. THIS COULD CAUSE A CONDITION WHERE THE ENGINE COULD FAIL AND SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. FURTHERMORE, ALL ISFS WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A CRACKED RH MANIFOLD ON THE #8 RUNNER. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD IN ADDITION TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
THE FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO STALL AND DIE. WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE MOTOR AND WAS TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.
WHILE PARK AT A STOP LIGHT, THE AUTO, THIRD IN LINE WAS IMPACTED BY A TRUCK TRAVELING 40-50 MPH, NO BRAKING, AND HIT AND RUN. MY WIFE WAS ALONE IN THE CAR, WHICH WAS DRIVEN INTO A PICKUP AND SUBSEQUENTLY INTO A BUICK. OF THE 12 AIRBAGS AVAILABLE, NOT ONE ACTUATED, CAUSING SERIOUS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BRUISING WITH THE SEAT BELT AND STEERING WHEEL IMPACT. THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNTING, DAMAGE MORE THAN $50,000. IN ADDITION, A BROKEN WRIST RESULTED. COMPLAINTS TO THE LOCAL DEALER CONCERNING LACK OF SAFETY FROM AIR BAGS WENT UNANSWERED AND COMMENTS FROM NATIONAL OFFICE SAID THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO OPERATE. SINCE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED, SHE IS AFRAID TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE AS WE CONSIDER IT UNSAFE. I DID NOT KNOW WHO ELSE TO COMPLAIN TO AND AM ADDING THIS NOTE TO WHAT WILL PROBABLY BE A GROWING DATABASE. I COULD NOT PROVIDE THE VIN, AS THE CAR HAS STILL NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JS
The 2013 Lexus IS has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 8 owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Lexus IS.
The 2013 Lexus IS received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2013 Lexus IS are engine (2 reports), visibility/wiper (2 reports), unknown or other (1 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2013 Lexus IS. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.