2012 Lexus RX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 25%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Lexus RX, 25% of the 12 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.
“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 2023-10Related service bulletins
- 10205359Aug 6, 2013Oil Viscosity Applicability and Cfhange Interval Guide
- 10205358Apr 10, 2013Oil Viscosity Applicability and Cfhange Interval Guide
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 4 | 18% |
| 2024 | 8 | 13% |
| 2023 | 11 | 18% |
| 2022 | 3 | 10% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 5 | 11% |
| 2019 | 7 | 21% |
| 2018 | 4 | 15% |
| 2017 | 10 | 21% |
| 2016 | 5 | 18% |
| 2015 | 5 | 25% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 3 | 25% |
| 2011 | 10 | 34% |
| 2010 | 21 | 27% |
| 2009 | 9 | 26% |
| 2008 | 15 | 21% |
| 2007 | 8 | 14% |
| 2006 | 8 | 25% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 8% |
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2012 Lexus RX
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Lexus RX
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