LEXUS RX · model year

2012 LEXUS RX

15 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012LEXUSRX carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, 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 RX is unknown or other with 2 filings, followed by engine (2) and electrical system (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 RX. 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.

15
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

15 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
SUSPENSION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
TIRES1
AIR BAGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER1

Recent Complaints

20260102ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus RX350. The contact purchased the vehicle, and it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 127,832. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 257,193.

Mileage: 257,193

20251016AIR BAGS

Air bag issue light turn on, it said b1608 front satellite sensor bus initialization error LH code

20250829TIRES

The contact owns a 2012 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that the four rear tires were replaced with Blackhawk Tires, Tire Line: Street HH11, Tire Size: 235/45/R18, DOT Number: 1YJEERYLY. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started pulling to the right. The contact started pumping the brake pedal and was able to pull over safely. The contact observed that the driver's side rear tire had a gash on the side wall. The contact stated that the tires were replaced on June 10, 2025. The contact stated that Roadside Assistance arrived at the scene and replaced the tire with the spare. The dealer was contacted and suggested that the vehicle be brought to their location. The contact was informed that the tire would have to be replaced out of pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 30,171. The tire failure mileage was unknown.

Mileage: 30,171

20250606SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2012 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the ABS seized. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and functioned as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V054000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20250606ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

The contact owns a 2012 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the ABS seized. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and functioned as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V054000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20250417ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My car powers off while driving and then cuts back home within a second. It also has electrical issues the lights so flash during the night when you’re driving and then the front and shakes so bad that it shakes you just about off the road when you hit the brakes

20250417EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My car powers off while driving and then cuts back home within a second. It also has electrical issues the lights so flash during the night when you’re driving and then the front and shakes so bad that it shakes you just about off the road when you hit the brakes

20250417SUSPENSION

My car powers off while driving and then cuts back home within a second. It also has electrical issues the lights so flash during the night when you’re driving and then the front and shakes so bad that it shakes you just about off the road when you hit the brakes

20250416ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The engine shuts off for a second while driving

20250416ENGINE

The engine shuts off for a second while driving

20231020POWER TRAIN

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. (needing to be towed.) Lexus has a serious engineering-defective-design-flaw that probably is responsible for accidents. Thanks, [XXX] . Pass it on please! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20231020VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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. (needing to be towed.) Lexus has a serious engineering-defective-design-flaw that probably is responsible for accidents. Thanks, [XXX] . Pass it on please! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20231020ENGINE

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. (needing to be towed.) Lexus has a serious engineering-defective-design-flaw that probably is responsible for accidents. Thanks, [XXX] . Pass it on please! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20220927UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sunroof exploded while driving in middle lane of 5 lane interstate. Cars, semi trucks all around me, center section of sunroof glass blew up and back into a pickup truck directly behind me. Pieces of glass flew in all directions. Luckily the moonroof/sunroof and interior panel were closed. No one was hurt. Other than a loud POP! then 2-3 seconds later an explosive BOOM! no warning light or message came on. Took the car to a local windshield shop, then a local Lexus dealer, another repair shop next week - all within 10 mi radius from where I live. Problem could not be reproduced, no one will confirm how it could have happened. Filed this report after reading about other Lexus - other mfg - having same issue.

20220501UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Lexus never informed me or the dealer that the hatchback lift will fail if the weather is below 60 degrees. Sometimes even warmer. I replaced the hatchback lift when I was up in WV and loading up my vehicle and the hatchback almost knocked me out! It happened on several occasions. When I called the dealer they informed me that is normal. Normal. It could of killed me or knocked me out and given me concussion. Came back to Florida and it did the same thing this time high 60's low 70's. I replaced them and it happened again. These hatchback lifts should not happen. A mechanic had a gash in his forehead because I was explaining it to him and the damn hatchback came down on him. He couldn't catch it on time. It came down so quickly. Well, I have to replace the hatchback lift again. This is so wrong. This products especially on a Lexus should not be doing this. Very very dangerous.

Compare 2012LEXUSRX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 LEXUS RX have?
The 2012 LEXUS RX has 15 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 LEXUS RX?
The most-complained component for the 2012 LEXUS RX is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2012 LEXUS RX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.