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2013 Lexus Is

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

9 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2026
Engine

2013 Lexus IS 350C with approximately 56,000 miles experienced engine smoking on startup. The vehicle has been regularly maintained according to the manufacturer's recommended service schedule. The Lexus dealership diagnosed oil entering the combustion chamber and documented that the cylinder walls are scratched, allowing oil t…

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2013 Lexus IS 350C with approximately 56,000 miles experienced engine smoking on startup. The vehicle has been regularly maintained according to the manufacturer's recommended service schedule. The Lexus dealership diagnosed oil entering the combustion chamber and documented that the cylinder walls are scratched, allowing oil to pass the oil-control piston rings. Based on the internal engine damage, the Lexus dealer has recommended complete engine replacement. I am concerned that this type of significant internal engine damage at only approximately 56,000 miles could result in progressive oil consumption, loss of engine performance and potentially engine failure while the vehicle is being operated. The vehicle has not been abused or subjected to unusually high mileage and has received regular maintenance. Lexus corporate was contacted regarding the premature engine failure and a request for goodwill assistance was denied. I am submitting this complaint because I believe an engine requiring complete replacement due to scratched cylinder walls at approximately 56,000 miles warrants review to determine whether similar failures involving the piston rings, cylinder walls or oil entering the combustion chambers have occurred in other Lexus vehicles equipped with this engine.

NHTSA ODI #11755295

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2024
Visibility

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI #11612237

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2024
Visibility/wiperCrash

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 poi…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11610108

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2024
Visibility/wiper

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, whi…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11578247

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2023
Unknown Or Other

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #11541681

75,137 miles · Apr 22, 2020
Engine

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 WIL…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11321929

64,189 miles · Apr 8, 2020
EngineVisibility/wiper

EXHAUST HEADER LEAK, AUDIBLE TICKING SOUND ONCE WARMED UP IN DRIVE

NHTSA ODI #11320477

55,000 miles · Mar 17, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

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.

NHTSA ODI #11318502

8,000 miles · Sep 25, 2013
Air BagsSeatsStructureCrashInjury

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10545321

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.