2012 Lexus IS Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 22%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Lexus IS, 22% of the 18 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2012 Lexus IS 250 Complaint Category: Interior/Seat Belts/Air Bags → Interior Component: Interior Moldings/Trim/Panels Narrative This is a safety issue. The dashboard on my 2012 Lexus IS 250 has developed significant cracking and is actively decomposing into a gelatin-like texture, despite the vehicle being garage-kept, low mileage, and well-maintained throughout my ownership. This is not the result of any accident, impact, or misuse — it appeared spontaneously and has progressively worsened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11748952, filed 2026-07“The dashboard on my 2012 Lexus IS 250 has developed significant cracking across the surface despite the vehicle being garage-kept, low mileage, and well-maintained throughout my ownership. The cracking is not the result of any accident, impact, or misuse — it appeared spontaneously and has progressively worsened over time. Lexus acknowledged this as a known defect by establishing Customer Support Program ZLZ, which provided extended coverage specifically for dashboard, instrument panel, and interior trim panel cracking on certain Lexus models. …”
NHTSA complaint #11745928, filed 2026-06“My 2012 Lexus is250 has sticky dashboard and door panels. The dash IS wet with a sticky like substance which also causes a glare and stains anything that touches the surface. The door panels are peeling horribly and extremely soft to touch. Bumping your finger on the door panel leaves fragments of the door panel under your nails. Also any part of the dash as well. This dramatically drops the appearance of the interior and IS a must fix. I don't understand why they only did the recall on 06-08. It was like such when I bought the care in 2018 with 59k mileage.”
NHTSA complaint #11290735, filed 2019-12“The dashboard is sticky/melting causing it to be extremely shiny. It is available for inspection upon request. Due to the shininess of the dashboard, it causes a glare on the windshield during the daytime. This glare causes difficulty with being able to safely see through the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #11593384, filed 2024-06Related service bulletins
- 11027560Dec 15, 2025Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11016775Feb 7, 2025Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under…
- 11015489Feb 7, 2025Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under…
- 11007456Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11006162Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11005121Jun 21, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11005063Jun 21, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11003650Apr 19, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11003648Apr 19, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11003643Apr 19, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 20% |
| 2017 | 1 | 9% |
| 2015 | 1 | 11% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 1 | 11% |
| 2012 | 4 | 22% |
| 2011 | 3 | 20% |
| 2009 | 4 | 10% |
| 2008 | 22 | 22% |
| 2007 | 46 | 38% |
| 2006 | 43 | 30% |
| 2005 | 5 | 42% |
| 2004 | 3 | 30% |
| 2003 | 4 | 33% |
| 2002 | 5 | 42% |
Other parts of the 2012 Lexus IS
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Lexus IS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology