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Lexus RXModel year report

2012 Lexus RX Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
143,682miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
29 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid FWD · 31 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Lexus RX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2012 Lexus RX. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine (3) and brakes (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 143,682 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 33 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus RX350. The contact purchased the vehicle, and it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 127,832. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 257,193.”

NHTSA complaint #11708430, filed 2026-01, 257,193 miles

Engine: “October 20, '23 Our recent DEAD STOP! Whistle blower! Did you know that when the alternator goes out on a Lexus, that the car draws down energy from the battery to keep the car going? That's only for about a mile or so, then the car shuts down! You can't steer and THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING and you have no power as you come to a dead stop, whether on the freeway, or one lane mountain pass road, where we would have been later. What would we have done? Scary! Luckily, our Lexus stalled on a city street nearing our on-ramp to the freeway. …”

NHTSA complaint #11551111, filed 2023-10

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2012 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the ABS seized. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and functioned as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V054000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); however, the VIN was not included. …”

NHTSA complaint #11665369, filed 2025-06

Other or unknown: “Sunroof exploded while driving in middle lane of 5 lane interstate. Cars, semi trucks all around me, center section of sunroof glass blew up and back into a pickup truck directly behind me. Pieces of glass flew in all directions. Luckily the moonroof/sunroof and interior panel were closed. No one was hurt. Other than a loud POP! then 2-3 seconds later an explosive BOOM! no warning light or message came on. Took the car to a local windshield shop, then a local Lexus dealer, another repair shop next week - all within 10 mi radius from where I live. …”

NHTSA complaint #11486798, filed 2022-09

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,171 and 257,193 miles.

0%0–100%10–2550%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–15050%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 143,682 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20222023202552026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Lexus RX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RX 450h FWD3.5L 6-cyl · hybridCVT312829$2,850
RX 450h AWD3.5L 6-cyl · hybridCVT292728$2,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Lexus RX in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 33 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 33 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus RX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026121,00034–525—Too new
20252211244–525—Too new
2024603,00044–525Too new to compareToo new
2023628,2503536100 · MoreToo new
20222931,600043068 · MoreRising
20217058,000143086 · MoreRising
20204731,50014–53087 · MoreRising
20193417,5001—3079 · MoreRising
20182642,5480—300 · FewerRising
20174732,7300—300 · FewerRising
20162867,5000—300 · FewerRising
20152045,0000—29—Rising
20141292,5450—29—Not enough data
201319105,6060—29—Rising
201212143,6820—29—Not enough data
201129125,0000—291 · FewerFalling
20107725,0000——96 · MoreFalling
20093473,5000——19 · FewerFalling
200870114,1830—2515 · FewerFalling
20075893,4260—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200632130,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20052780,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20044066,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212101,9300———Not enough data
20011995,0000———Rising
20002990,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199935107,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus RX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Lexus RX have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2012 Lexus RX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Lexus RX is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine with 3.

Has the 2012 Lexus RX been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Lexus RX get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Lexus RX (RX 450h, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 29 mpg combined, 31 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Lexus RX reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 143,682 miles and the middle half falls between 30,171 and 257,193 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.