2012 Lexus RX350 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,562miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Lexus RX350, 12% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,562 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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 miles“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 miles“During driving in the highway suddenly the whole vehicle is shaking and reduced speed suddenly; all kind of engine warning lights are turned on as have to pull aside on the highway. Have to tow the car to the dealership and found that cylinder valve spring inside the engine has broken as the car only has about 65000 miles. This causing vehicle to misfire and vehicle is shaking. There are multiple recall of Lexus model on valve spring and this obviously seems an manufacturer defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11203185, filed 2019-04, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10133748Mar 26, 2014Prior to installing remanufactured U660 and U760 transaxles, it is necessary to remove the lower oil cooler tube union from the original transaxle case and install it into the…
- 10132142Oct 3, 2013Starting with the 2010 Model Year, Lexus began a gradual transition to the use of synthetic 0w-20 viscosity engine oil. There are multiple benefits of this oil
- 10061723Oct 2, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10205359Aug 6, 2013Oil Viscosity Applicability and Cfhange Interval Guide
- 10205358Apr 10, 2013Oil Viscosity Applicability and Cfhange Interval Guide
- 10132323Apr 10, 2013Starting with the 2010 Model Year, Lexus began a gradual transition to the use of synthetic 0w-20 viscosity engine oil. There are multiple benefits of this oil
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 10% |
| 2020 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 3 | 10% |
| 2018 | 3 | 17% |
| 2017 | 6 | 13% |
| 2016 | 5 | 9% |
| 2015 | 9 | 21% |
| 2013 | 6 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 12% |
| 2011 | 7 | 23% |
| 2010 | 8 | 9% |
| 2009 | 12 | 12% |
| 2008 | 12 | 10% |
| 2007 | 36 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2012 Lexus RX350
10 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Lexus RX350
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