2013 Lexus CT problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Lexus CT, most often about brakes. There are 0 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Median mileage
87,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 13 of 26 complaints (50%).
  • Engine (11) and driver assistance & safety tech (2) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 87,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 2nd of 6 Lexus CT model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 8% more complaints than the 2012 model year (24).

2013 Lexus CT problems by category

  • Brakes · 1 crash
    13 complaints
  • Engine
    11 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    2 complaints
  • Electrical System
    2 complaints
  • Suspension · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Service brakes12
Engine10
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control2
Electrical system2
Power train1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Suspension1
Unknown or other1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k460k–100k2100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2013 Lexus CT complaints that list mileage.

2013 Lexus CT recalls (0)

No recalls on file.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000

    Pedestrian alert sounds

    NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…

Recent 2013 Lexus CT complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 5, 2026PABrakesElectrical System
    A 2013 Lexus CT200h with approximately 122,291 miles developed repeated ticking/pump-cycling noises from the braking system. Shortly afterward, multiple brake/ABS/VSC warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Lexus dealer, where technicians diagnosed failure of the brake booster/master cylinder assembly and brake booster pump assembly. Diagnostic trouble codes C1391, C1252, C1256, and C1253 were recorded. The dealer advised that the vehicle should…
    NHTSA complaint #11769055 · source
  2. Filed Jan 25, 2026FLBrakes
    This is a known defect covered under Customer Support Program 21-LE-01. Lexus failed to notify me despite regular service at their dealership. I was forced to pay $3,000 for a safety defect that should have been covered
    NHTSA complaint #11713182 · source
  3. Filed Dec 5, 2025VABrakes
    I am submitting a formal complaint regarding Lexus’ refusal to correct a known safety-related defect under Customer Support Program (CSP) 21LE01. My vehicle meets all criteria outlined in the program, yet Lexus denied coverage. Details: 1.Program Coverage: CSP 21LE01 covers Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump assemblies for internal malfunctions verified by Diagnostic Trouble Codes C1391, C1252, C1256, or C1253. Coverage extends 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes…
    NHTSA complaint #11703287 · source
  4. Filed Oct 13, 2025TXBrakes
    My daughter was driving home at night and the vehicle brakes did not respond normally after coming to a gated entry, she was able to stop with limited braking power and luckily she did not get into an accident. The vehicle gave no warning prior to the incident, and started to show all 4 lights on the dash after the fact;BRAKE, CAUTION, ABS, Stability Control with a beeping sound. She had to stop the vehicle immediately because we felt if was unsafe to do so. The car was…
    NHTSA complaint #11693122 · source
  5. Filed Sep 23, 2025200,000 miALBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2013 Lexus CT 200H. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the brake pedal was depressed and the ABS, traction control, and master warning lights illuminated. The message "Check ABS System" was displayed. The cruise control feature then became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who retrieved DTC: C1391, indicating an abnormal leak in the brake actuator accumulator;…
    NHTSA complaint #11689139 · source
  6. Filed Aug 29, 2025CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown
    Driving down the 99Freeway at speeds approx. Up to 72mph, my abs,traction, and brake lights illuminated at the same time on my dash. I pushed on my brake pedal in order to slow down and pull over, my brake pedal was extremely hard to push in and no matter how hard I pushed it didn't appear to be slowing the vehicle down. I pushed on the emergency brake slowly to help slow down safely and was able to get pulled over. I turned the car off and proceeded to call a friend for…
    NHTSA complaint #11684014 · source
  7. Filed Dec 16, 2024MABrakes
    The brake booster and pump are a known issue for all CT200 models 2011-2013. The brakes do not work as intended which is a safety issue. The attached file is acknowledgement by Lexus that this is an issue. Though they are not covering the problem
    NHTSA complaint #11630875 · source
  8. Filed Jun 29, 2024CAEngine
    Early morning cold start in open loop engine starts to rattle and knock. Cleaned out EGR system, including intake manifold. Engine still rattles and knocks. Swapped out ignition coils and fuel injectors with new still and still the same thing. DTC sets after a week of troubleshooting for P0303, P0301, and P0300. Switched cylinder ignition coils and fuel injectors from cylinder 1 to 2 and 3 to 4. Same DTC sets after drive cycle. Leak down test confirms cylinder 3 has head…
    NHTSA complaint #11597715 · source

Compare the 2013 Lexus CT with another vehicle →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology