2013 Lexus CT recalls & problems

Recent owner complaints

• Oct 5, 2026Service brakes
  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 not be driven until repaired because of the brake-system condition. Lexus previously established Customer Support Program 21LE01 for this same brake booster and brake booster pump condition on certain CT200h vehicles,…
• Jul 1, 2024Service brakes
  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
• Dec 3, 2025Service brakes
  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 first. 2.Vehicle Qualification: •Mileage: under 150,000 miles •Model year/production range: covered under CSP 21LE01 •Symptoms: brake-system warning lights, reduced braking performance, and internal malfunctions…
• Oct 1, 2025Service brakes
  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 stored in the garage for a few days waiting for the codes to get scanned but after starting it the errors were gone, I was able to take a long drive without a problem. Then once again while driving (not when starting the…
• Mar 31, 2024 · 200,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic
  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; however, the contact was unaware of which parts needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission later failed to shift into drive(D) or reverse(R). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made…
• Jul 21, 2025Service brakes
  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 help. My friend suggested that I start the vehicle back up and see if I was comfortable enough to continuing to drive it to get myself off of the freeway, which I did. Then when I got off the freeway, I noticed all the…
• Mar 19, 2025Service brakes
  Hydraulic pump problem
• Dec 4, 2024Service brakes
  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

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000Pedestrian 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 March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review…