2012 Lexus RX350 Problems
Compared with other Lexus RX350 years
Typical for this model
49/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Lexus RX350 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 15 of its 33 complaints were filed by the end of 2014.
- Most reported part: Vehicle speed control (10 complaints, median 14,439 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2013
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 26,500miles, 29 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Lexus RX350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2012 Lexus RX350. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 10 complaints (30% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and air bags (4). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 66% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 26,500 miles. Of all complaints, 11 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 13 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 221 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 9 Lexus RX350 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 49 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Vehicle speed control10 30%
- Brakes6 18%
- Air bags4 12%
- Electrical system4 12%
- Engine4 12%
- Fuel system3 9.1%
- Seat belts2 6.1%
- Body and structure2 6.1%
Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “I wish to inform you about a serious incident that occurred on september 21, 2013 while driving my Lexus 350 awd 2012. I was parking the car. My foot was on the break pedal and I was about to reverse when the car suddenly self accelerated and went up a 45 degree embankment. The car drove over very large boulders that were at the head of the parking space. The underbelly of the car rammed into a very large boulder that raised the left rear wheel off the ground and stopped the car from continuing up the incline. …”
NHTSA complaint #10545307, filed 2013-09, 5,299 milesBrakes: “I am the original owner of a 2013 Lexus RX350. On august 14, 2019 as I was parking my car and rolling into a parking spot, with my foot only on the brake pedal, the engine revved and the car accelerated forward. The car hit a curb and gave me the time to react and applied enough brake pressure to stop the vehicle before it went into the street into oncoming traffic. The next day I brought the car into my local Lexus dealership. They had the car for the entire day and could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11268446, filed 2019-10, 66,123 milesAir bags: “I was broadsided on my drivers door and not 1 airbag went off. The officer said she was driving at least 40mph. I had left the stop sign to make my left hand turn when it occured. My car was totaled”
NHTSA complaint #11297031, filed 2020-01, 84,500 milesElectrical system: “The cfei (certified fire & explosion investigator) fire lieutenant/investigator with the city of ft. Lauderdale's fire dept, who also responded to my 911 call, had pointed out and explained to me the intensity of flame, heat and burn pattern in the engine and stated that this was caused by a mechanical engine malfunction. What happened: I had just driven my 2012 Lexus RX350 a short distance on the highway when I pulled into a 7-11 parking lot not far from the gas pumps and put the car in park. …”
NHTSA complaint #11337569, filed 2020-07, 92,988 milesMileage when problems were reported
66% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 65,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Lexus RX350. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX350 · SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.4% risk |
| RX350 · SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 17.9% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2011: same overall rating; 2013: 4–5 stars overall. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Lexus RX350 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 350 FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| RX 350 AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
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
- 14V054000Feb 12, 2014Electronic stability control (esc)Covers: Lexus RX350 2012–2013, Toyota Tacoma 2012–2013, RAV4 2012
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…
Recall details for the 2012 Lexus RX350 → · Check a 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. 221 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10230353Dec 1, 2022Equipment. TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022
- 10230352Dec 1, 2022Equipment. DP: Limited Service Campaign KLG expired December 01, 2022
- 10230351Dec 1, 2022Equipment. TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022
- 10230350Dec 1, 2022Equipment. DP: Customer Support Program 19LE05 expired December 1, 2022.
- 10214355Apr 13, 2022Equipment. Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- 10210374Mar 9, 2022Equipment. TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to…
- 10209023Feb 24, 2022Air bags. TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year 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 the…
- 10207945Jan 12, 2022Tires, Wheels, Equipment. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10201403Jul 26, 2021Equipment. OBSOLETE NOTICE July 26, 2021: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0024-21.
- 10201401Jul 26, 2021Equipment. TSB: Some 2007 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles in particular geographic areas may exhibit a condition where the HVAC evaporator drain hose has become obstructed with an insect nest. An insect…
Other model years of the Lexus RX350
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | 1,356 | 0 | 4 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 7 | 6,975 | 1 | 4–5 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 31 | 3,000 | 3 | 4–5 | 23 | 60 · Typical | Falling |
| 2018 | 18 | 12,000 | 2 | 4–5 | 23 | — | Falling |
| 2017 | 46 | 9,200 | 3 | 4–5 | 23 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 58 | 17,866 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 86 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 42 | 24,650 | 1 | 4–5 | 21 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 15 | 5,500 | 0 | 4–5 | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2013 | 59 | 45,500 | 1 | 4–5 | 21 | 35 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 33 | 26,500 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 30 | 43,500 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 94 | 28,000 | 1 | — | 21 | 95 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 97 | 54,744 | 0 | — | 20 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 126 | 69,000 | 0 | — | 20 | 42 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 167 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Lexus RX350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Lexus RX350 have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2012 Lexus RX350 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Lexus RX350 is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 10 complaints (30% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.
Has the 2012 Lexus RX350 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2012 Lexus RX350 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 Lexus RX350 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Lexus RX350 get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Lexus RX350 (RX 350, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Lexus RX350 reported?
Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 26,500 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 65,000 miles; 66% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.