CarBrief

NHTSA has 48 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Lexus GS, and brakes and steering lead the list[1][2][3]. Three recalls apply, and each one has a free dealer remedy[4][5][6].

48owner complaints[1]
3recalls[7]
21–31MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

Of the 48 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 9 injuries[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints
Brakes[2] 9
Steering[3] 8
Structure[9] 6
Electrical system[10] 6
Unknown or other[11] 6
Speed control[12] 4
Air bags[13] 4
Fuel/propulsion system[14] 4

We read a small sample of the complaint texts. It is not enough to say how common any problem is.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this car. Whether a specific car is covered depends on the model years and build dates named in each recall.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates three versions. All use premium fuel[15][16][8].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
GS 350, rear-wheel drive[15] 19 / 28 / 23 $3,550
GS 350 AWD[16] 19 / 26 / 21 $3,900
GS 450h, rear-wheel drive[8] 29 / 34 / 31 $2,650

The annual cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star page lists the 4-door rear-wheel-drive version as not rated[17].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 2013 GS with a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine rated at 286 to 306 hp, depending on version[18]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
GS 350[19] 192 in 72 in 57 in 112 in 3,715 lb
GS 350 AWD[20] 192 in 72 in 58 in 112 in 3,891 lb
GS 450h[21] 192 in 72 in 57 in 112 in 4,112 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

1995: 11 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 3 complaints, 1 recalls1997: 0 complaints, 1 recalls1998: 64 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 42 complaints, 0 recalls2000: 36 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 24 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 17 complaints, 0 recalls2003: 21 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 9 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 4 complaints, 0 recalls2006: 180 complaints, 8 recalls2007: 106 complaints, 7 recalls20072008: 45 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 10 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 18 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 9 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 48 complaints, 3 recalls4820132014: 20 complaints, 1 recalls20142015: 19 complaints, 1 recalls2016: 10 complaints, 2 recalls2017: 6 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 4 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 1 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each GS model year. The 2013 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995111
199631
199701
1998641
1999420
2000360
2001240
2002170
2003210
200490
200540
20061808
20071067
2008454
2009103
2010183
201193
2013483
2014201
2015191
2016102
201763
201844
201913

NHTSA has 48 complaints and 3 recalls for the 2013 GS[7]. The 2014 model year has 20 complaints and 1 recall, and 2015 has 19 and 1[7]. So 2013 has more complaints than any later year listed[7]. Only 2006 (180), 2007 (106) and 1998 (64) have more complaints across all years listed[7]. Among later years, 2013 is level with 2017 and 2019 at 3 recalls, and 2018 has 4[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat this as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2013 Lexus GS?

Drop the first sentence and merge: 'The facts point to a few things to check. NHTSA lists 48 complaints, with brakes and steering at the top[1][2][3]. All three recalls have a free remedy, so ask for proof the work was done[4][5][6]. The EPA combined rating runs from 21 to 31 MPG depending on version[16][8]. We have no data here on repair costs or long-term reliability, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.'

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Lexus GS?
NHTSA lists 48 complaints[1]. Brakes have 9 and steering has 8[1][2][3].
Does the 2013 Lexus GS have any recalls?
Yes, three: a fuel pump recall (20V012), a brake pedal switch recall (14V270) and a steering software recall (12V221)[4][5][6].
What gas mileage does the 2013 Lexus GS get?
The EPA rates the GS 350 at 23 combined MPG, the GS 350 AWD at 21 and the GS 450h at 31[15][16][8].
How much horsepower does the 2013 Lexus GS have?
The EPA lists 286 to 306 hp for the 3.5L 6-cylinder, depending on version[18].
Is 2013 a worse year than 2014 or 2015 for the Lexus GS?
It has more complaints on file, 48 against 20 and 19, and more recalls, 3 against 1 each[7]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 48 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Lexus GS (8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 9 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 8 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 20V012, filed January 13, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 14V270, filed May 22, 2014: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 12V221, filed May 16, 2012: Steering. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus GS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for GS 450h, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 34 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. 6 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for GS 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for GS 350 AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Lexus GS with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 286 to 306 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GS 350 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,715 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GS 350 AWD 4DR SEDAN: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,891 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GS 450h 4DR SEDAN HYBRID: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,112 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.