Car check · problems, recalls, fuel cost, price

Lexus RX 350 2013 in Ghana

What US owners report going wrong with the Lexus RX 350 2013, its safety recalls and crash stars, what fuel costs you a month in cedis, whether it can still be imported, and what it sells for in Ghana.

IFCAR, Public domain

Photos of the same model and year, not of the car you are buying. Ask the seller for photos of that car, with the VIN and the odometer in shot.

At a glance

US safety recalls 1
Owner complaints 78 13 crashes, 4 fires reported
Crash rating ★★★★☆ US government, out of 5
Fuel a month GH₵2,420 40 km a day
Import into Ghana Allowed about 13 years old

Can it come into Ghana?

A 2013 car is about 13 years old, under the 15-year limit. It can be imported until about 2027.

Every used vehicle needs a pre-shipment inspection and a Certificate of Conformity from a GSA-approved body in the country it ships from.
Not allowed at all: flood- or fire-damaged cars, cars with chassis damage, and cars assembled from parts, according to published guides to the rules.
Import duty: 20% of the customs value for a petrol, over 3,000 cc car (GRA's vehicle duty table). VAT, NHIL, GETFund and the ECOWAS, AU, EXIM and special import levies come on top, plus an age penalty on older cars.
The customs value is GRA's own figure (the car's price when new, minus up to 50% for age, plus freight and insurance), not what you paid. Only the ICUMS assessment gives the final amount, so never pay a "clearing agent" a figure you cannot see on the official assessment.
Buying a car already in Ghana? Ask the DVLA to confirm through ICUMS that duty was paid before you pay.

Age is worked out from the model year; the rule uses the date of manufacture, which can be a few months earlier. Source: GSA public notice of 14 August 2026, as reported by Citi Newsroom.

Safety recalls

Faults the maker agreed to fix for free in the US. A car shipped to Ghana usually never got the repair, so these are worth asking about.

Service brakes, hydraulic 14V054000 · 12/02/2014

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.

The risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Recalls for this model and year. Not every car of the model is affected: check the exact car with its VIN.

What owners say goes wrong

Problems real owners reported to the US government (NHTSA). A high count on a popular car is normal; look at which part comes up most.

Electrical system14
Service brakes14
Structure12
Vehicle speed control10
Air bags8
Steering7

78 complaints · 13 crashes · 4 fires · 14 injuries · 1 deaths reported

In owners' own words

"Odometer Fraud: The contact purchased a 2013 Lexus RX 350. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 96,575. After reviewing an AutoCheck report by Experian the following day, the contact became aware that the mileage was 151,219."
Electrical system · filed 07/07/2026

"Vehicle was parked, engine off, and unattended. An internal electrical fire originated in the overhead/sunroof wiring area. Damage includes melted wiring harness near the sunroof, burned center console, and soot throughout the interior. The fire originated in a constant-power electrical circuit and spread downward into the cabin. There were no aftermarket modifications, no external heat sources, and no objects in th…"
Electrical system · filed 04/08/2026

"I was just driving regular and the rx350 started to jerk and apply the breaks by itself and slip and go side ways and the car behind me almost hit me because my Lexus started to stop hard and fast .im pressing the gas but it’s not accelerating.the engine wanted to stop and very dangerous I’m scared to even drive the vehicle.i am the 3rd owner and now i know why the otheer people don’t want it .there is a recall for …"
Unknown or other · filed 02/15/2026

Crash test ratings

2013 Lexus RX350 SUV FWD · US government 5-star ratings

Overall	★★★★☆
Front crash	★★★★☆
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★☆ 18% risk in a single-vehicle crash

Front crash test · NHTSA
Side crash test · NHTSA
Side pole test · NHTSA

What it costs to run in Ghana

US EPA fuel figures for the Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, at this window's Ghana pump price.

Fuel at 40 km a day

GH₵2,420 a month

Town driving13.1 L/100 km
Mixed driving11.2 L/100 km
Litres a month157
Petrol price (1 Nov 2026)GH₵15.39/L

Uses the NPA price floor; pump prices are at or a little above it. Accra traffic and air conditioning use more than the US test, so treat this as the least you will spend.

What a Lexus RX 350 2013 sells for in Ghana

Live listings on Jiji right now.

Asking Jiji…

Found a Lexus RX 350 2013 to buy?

Check that exact car: the VIN shows whether the ad tells the truth, and which recalls apply to it.

Questions people ask

Does the Lexus RX 350 2013 have recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 US safety recall for the Lexus RX 350 2013. Cars imported to Ghana rarely had the free US repair done, so ask for proof or have a dealer check.

What are the common problems with the Lexus RX 350 2013?

Owners in the US most often report problems with: electrical system, service brakes, structure, vehicle speed control (NHTSA owner complaints).

How much fuel does a Lexus RX 350 2013 use in Ghana?

About 13.1 litres per 100 km in town (US EPA figure). At 40 km a day that is about 157 litres a month, roughly GH₵2,420 at the 1 Nov 2026 petrol price.

Can a Lexus RX 350 2013 still be imported into Ghana?

Yes for now: Ghana bars used vehicles 15 years and older from 1 October 2026, so a 2013 car can be imported until about 2027. It needs a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity.

Sources: US NHTSA and EPA public data, Ghana NPA fuel prices, Ghana Standards Authority import notice (14 August 2026). Figures are for US-market versions of this model.