2012 Lexus RX350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 710miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Lexus RX350, 12% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 710 miles.
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 car, a 2012 Lexus RX350, was purchased new from a california Lexus dealer on january 30, 2012. The problem, which manifests every two or three days, is a delay of several seconds between pressing the accelerator pedal and actual acceleration of the vehicle. When acceleration eventually occurs, it does so with a surge or jolt. The problem has occurred in a variety of circumstances. Several times I have been unable to accelerate safely from a freeway on-ramp into faster-moving freeway traffic. On at least two other occasions the vehicle has failed to accelerate as I drove up a hill. …”
NHTSA complaint #10454193, filed 2012-04, 710 miles“I bought the new car from a Lexus dealer in nj on saturday 12/03/2011. Right after the car was delivered to me and as I drove the car out of the dealership, I noticed that RPM surged whenever gear upshifted specially in 15-40 MPH range. My wife also noticed the same issue. We brought the car to the dealer on following friday, 12/9/2011, and explained the problem. When I brought the car back to the dealer for inspection, it had ~340 miles on it. One mechanic at the dealer road tested the car with me and noticed the same issue. We left the car at the dealer on that day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10440171, filed 2011-12, 4 miles“July 11th 2017 at around 220pm pst, the Lexus RX350 2012, experience a very dangerous failure. Earlier that week I noticed issue with the battery, where it would take one or more pushes to the start button for the car to turn on. But on this date, I had just parked the car on a road with an slight incline, I did not enable the emergency break the car was turned off and the keys with me. I had dropped off a friend and helped her take a few things inside the house. …”
NHTSA complaint #11010062, filed 2017-07“The contact owns a 2012 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that after shifting into park and powering off the vehicle, she attempted to exit when suddenly the vehicle independently rolled away. As a result, the front drivers side tire rolled over her buttocks. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,450.”
NHTSA complaint #10839443, filed 2016-03, 42,450 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10179697Aug 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…
- 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…
- 10131726Jan 22, 2018TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. L-SB-0021-14. * Applicability has been updated to include applicable 2018…
- 10134399Apr 13, 2016TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for inspecting and adjusting World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) level at normal vehicle operating temperature…
- 10109449Oct 23, 2014TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix…
- 10205346Oct 16, 2014Auto matic Transmission Replacement kPrecautions
- 10109447Oct 16, 2014TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE-October 16, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0082-14.
- 10109445Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109444Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10109443Oct 15, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to assist in the identification and location of serial numbers on 2006 - 2014 model year remanufactured automatic transmissions.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 4 | 22% |
| 2017 | 6 | 13% |
| 2016 | 7 | 12% |
| 2015 | 2 | 5% |
| 2014 | 3 | 20% |
| 2013 | 4 | 7% |
| 2012 | 4 | 12% |
| 2011 | 6 | 20% |
| 2010 | 7 | 7% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 7 | 6% |
| 2007 | 9 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2012 Lexus RX350
10 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine
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 29, 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