Total Complaints
23 filings
LEXUS IS · model year
23 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012LEXUSIS carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 IS is air bags with 7 filings, followed by service brakes (2) and vehicle speed control (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2012 IS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
23 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
The dashboard is sticky/melting causing it to be extremely shiny. It is available for inspection upon request. Due to the shininess of the dashboard, it causes a glare on the windshield during the daytime. This glare causes difficulty with being able to safely see through the windshield.
The dashboard is sticky/melting causing it to be extremely shiny. It is available for inspection upon request. Due to the shininess of the dashboard, it causes a glare on the windshield during the daytime. This glare causes difficulty with being able to safely see through the windshield.
I own a Lexus 2012 IS250 and currently active duty member stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy. I was not notified that my vehicle is overdue on a safety recall until today when I am trying to ship the vehicle back to the US. What further actions can I do to get the recall done? Can I get the vehicle waivered to get the recall accomplished when it reaches the US?
While stopped at a stop light vehicle RPM went very high. It reached the red zone. Vehicle started moving forward (while still on Drive and the brake pedal fully pressed). I immediately put the vehicle in Park. RPM continued to remain high. I removed my foot off the brake when the vehicle was in park. I turned the engine off, waited couple of seconds and turned it back on. At that point everything worked normally. Outside temperature was about 38 deg F. Car was not fully warmed up at the time. Floor mat had nothing to do with this incident. After restarting the engine it is working fine without any adjustment to the floor mat. Incident could have resulted in major crash or injury. Luckily it happened when the vehicle was stopped at at red light. Putting the car in PARK and turning off the engine resolved the issue. This is a serious issue on 2012 IS250. Check engine light is not on. Vehicle will be taken to the Lexus dealer for checking. If the car was in drive, this kind of re
VEHICLE IN MOTION GOING 80MPH ON HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY JOLTED AND VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR AND CHECK ENGINE/BATTERY LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND SLOWED TO A STOP. RESTARTING ENGINE DID NOT WORK AS IT SPUTTERED AND WENT BACK TO IDLE IMMEDIATELY. FUEL TANK WAS 1/4 FULL, NOT DUE FOR OIL CHANGE FOR ANOTHER 4000 MILES, TIRE PRESSURE WAS FIXED A DAY PRIOR TO INCIDENT, AND NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TESTED AND SAID FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION. TOYOTA AND LEXUS ALREADY HAVE 2 MILLION CARS WITH FUEL PUMP RECALL, HOWEVER MY SPECIFIC MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED YET.
Mileage: 96,129
LEXUS IS250 HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO DRIVE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT ... IT GLARES OUT YOUR VISION WHEN DRIVING ...I WAS RESEARCHING AND SAW SOME PEOPLE GOT A RECALL FOR THE MELTING DASHBOARD SINCE IT'S REALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT WITH THE DASHBOARD STARTING TO MELT .. IN THE PICTURE I ADDED YOU CAN SEE HOW MY DASHBOARD IS SHINY BECAUSE ITS MELTING AND STICKY TOO
LEXUS IS250 HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO DRIVE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT ... IT GLARES OUT YOUR VISION WHEN DRIVING ...I WAS RESEARCHING AND SAW SOME PEOPLE GOT A RECALL FOR THE MELTING DASHBOARD SINCE IT'S REALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT WITH THE DASHBOARD STARTING TO MELT .. IN THE PICTURE I ADDED YOU CAN SEE HOW MY DASHBOARD IS SHINY BECAUSE ITS MELTING AND STICKY TOO
HI , MY FIRST NAME IS [XXX] LAST NAME IS [XXX] ,MY MAILING ADDRESS IS [XXX]. I HAS A LEXUS IS 250 2012 , 86000 MILE LAST 10 MONTH AGO MY CAR HAS A RECALL MAIL REPLACEMENT AIR BAG FROM LEXUS,BUT MY CAR WAS IN A GOOD CONDITION EVERY THING IS FUNCTION GOOD WITH NO ANY PROBLEM, BUT AFTER I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LEXUS OF TOWSON LOCATION 1040 YORK RD , TOWSON, MD 21204 .AFTER THEY REPLACEMENT MY CAR AIR BAG .MY CAR WAS WENT ON A WARNING LIGHT NOTE THAT AIR BAG OFF ,SO IT MEANS AIR BAG NOT WORKING PROPERLY ,BUT BEFORE THAT MY CAR HAS NON OF THE LIGHT PROBLEM EVERYTHING IS GOOD. I CALL THE LEXUS OF TOWNSON. TOLD THEM MY CAR WAS A WARNING LIGHT AFTER THE RECALL REPLACEMENT AIR BAG, THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAS TO PAID FOR 300.00$ FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND ADDING LABOR AND MORE TO FIX FOR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. SO AFTER MY COUSIN TOLD ME DRIVING WITH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON COULD BE DANGER, BECAUSE ANY TIME HAS ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE AIR BAG MAY NOT PROJECT THE PASSAGE ,SO I SCHEDULE APPOI
HI , MY FIRST NAME IS [XXX] LAST NAME IS [XXX] ,MY MAILING ADDRESS IS [XXX]. I HAS A LEXUS IS 250 2012 , 86000 MILE LAST 10 MONTH AGO MY CAR HAS A RECALL MAIL REPLACEMENT AIR BAG FROM LEXUS,BUT MY CAR WAS IN A GOOD CONDITION EVERY THING IS FUNCTION GOOD WITH NO ANY PROBLEM, BUT AFTER I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LEXUS OF TOWSON LOCATION 1040 YORK RD , TOWSON, MD 21204 .AFTER THEY REPLACEMENT MY CAR AIR BAG .MY CAR WAS WENT ON A WARNING LIGHT NOTE THAT AIR BAG OFF ,SO IT MEANS AIR BAG NOT WORKING PROPERLY ,BUT BEFORE THAT MY CAR HAS NON OF THE LIGHT PROBLEM EVERYTHING IS GOOD. I CALL THE LEXUS OF TOWNSON. TOLD THEM MY CAR WAS A WARNING LIGHT AFTER THE RECALL REPLACEMENT AIR BAG, THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAS TO PAID FOR 300.00$ FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND ADDING LABOR AND MORE TO FIX FOR THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. SO AFTER MY COUSIN TOLD ME DRIVING WITH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON COULD BE DANGER, BECAUSE ANY TIME HAS ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE AIR BAG MAY NOT PROJECT THE PASSAGE ,SO I SCHEDULE APPOI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS250. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE HIGHWAY PATROL PROVIDED FUEL AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A TUNE UP NEEDED TO BE DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED BELOW 1/2 TANK OF FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
THE TOP CONVERTIBLE MOTOR GOT BROKEN ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT IT SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REPLACE IT BUT NOW THE ONE THEY PUT ON THAT TIME NOW IT'S BROKEN AGAIN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO GET FIXED.
THE TOP CONVERTIBLE MOTOR GOT BROKEN ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT IT SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REPLACE IT BUT NOW THE ONE THEY PUT ON THAT TIME NOW IT'S BROKEN AGAIN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO GET FIXED.
THE TOP CONVERTIBLE MOTOR GOT BROKEN ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT IT SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REPLACE IT BUT NOW THE ONE THEY PUT ON THAT TIME NOW IT'S BROKEN AGAIN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO GET FIXED.
MY 2012 LEXUS IS250 HAS STICKY DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS. THE DASH IS WET WITH A STICKY LIKE SUBSTANCE WHICH ALSO CAUSES A GLARE AND STAINS ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE SURFACE. THE DOOR PANELS ARE PEELING HORRIBLY AND EXTREMELY SOFT TO TOUCH. BUMPING YOUR FINGER ON THE DOOR PANEL LEAVES FRAGMENTS OF THE DOOR PANEL UNDER YOUR NAILS. ALSO ANY PART OF THE DASH AS WELL. THIS DRAMATICALLY DROPS THE APPEARANCE OF THE INTERIOR AND IS A MUST FIX. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ONLY DID THE RECALL ON 06-08. IT WAS LIKE SUCH WHEN I BOUGHT THE CARE IN 2018 WITH 59K MILEAGE.
MY 2012 LEXUS IS250 HAS STICKY DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS. THE DASH IS WET WITH A STICKY LIKE SUBSTANCE WHICH ALSO CAUSES A GLARE AND STAINS ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE SURFACE. THE DOOR PANELS ARE PEELING HORRIBLY AND EXTREMELY SOFT TO TOUCH. BUMPING YOUR FINGER ON THE DOOR PANEL LEAVES FRAGMENTS OF THE DOOR PANEL UNDER YOUR NAILS. ALSO ANY PART OF THE DASH AS WELL. THIS DRAMATICALLY DROPS THE APPEARANCE OF THE INTERIOR AND IS A MUST FIX. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ONLY DID THE RECALL ON 06-08. IT WAS LIKE SUCH WHEN I BOUGHT THE CARE IN 2018 WITH 59K MILEAGE.
I WAS REAR ENDED BY A CAR AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
TAKATA RECALL MY LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THEY PUT ME ON A WAIT LIST AND SAID IT COULD TAKE 2 MONTHS FOR THE THEM TO GET THE PARTS. THIS IS LEXUS SAN DIEGO
URGENT SAFETY RECALL FRONT PASS. AIRBAG INFLATOR WHICH CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH - NO PARTS AVAILABLE & LEXUS UNABLE TO GIVE AN ETA FOR PART. UNACCEPTABLE. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE?
WHEN EXITING A DRIVE THROUGH CAR WASH (VEHICLE IN N) TOLD TO DRIVE OUT. I PUT IT IN DRIVE, BEGIN TO DEPRESS GAS PEDAL, IT JAMS DOWN , I PEEL OUT TOWARDS A CONCRETE JERSEY WALL, HIT IT WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CORNER FRONT, BUMPER AND FRONT WHEEL...THEN THE BACK WHEEL, STILL ACCELERATING...DO 1/2 DONUT, END UP FACING BACK IN DIRECTION I JUST TRAVELED FROM..ONLY STOPPED WHEN I HIT THE ON/OFF BUTTON. I'VE DRIVEN FOR 35+ YEARS 9 OF WHICH I HAD A CDL AND DROVE PROFESSIONALLY FOR FEDEX AND NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT..I'VE DRIVEN VARIETY OF CARS AND TRUCKS..NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH CONFUSING GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL....LOOKING AT 4500+ REPAIR BILL 9 DAYS OF RENTAL.. AND NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT... FLOOR MATS WERE SECURED, NO ADDITIONAL MATS ON TOP OF SECURED ONE, FLAT BOTTOM SHOES, NO TALKING/TEXTING ON THE PHONE AT TIME OF ACCIDENT.
Mileage: 14,500
MY LEXUS 2012 IS 250 ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AFTER DEPRESSING THEM X2, AND THEN I CRASHED INTO A TRUCK. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. REPORTED TO LEXUS WHO ASSUMED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDENT. THIRD PARTY INSPECTED CAR AND DOWNLOADED BLACK BOX. REPORT FROM LEXUS STATED THAT CAR WAS DRIVE ABLE AND NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. CAR INCURRED $18,000 IN DAMAGES AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. WITNESSES AT COLLISION SHOP WILL VALIDATE SUCH. WHEN SPEAKING TO REPRESENTATIVES AT LEXUS TO REPORT INCIDENT I WAS TOLD BY 2 REPS ON 2 OCCASIONS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. DISTURBING
Mileage: 23,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.