St. Petersburg, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
failed Brake Actuator
NHTSA complaint #11739996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FaultScore report
2012 Lexus RX problems
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2012 Lexus RX with NHTSA between 2022 and 2026. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 26 of 26 worst.
A
FaultScore 12/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Lexus RX.
How this is worked outThe numbers
18
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
What kind of bad
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
- Complaint volume — 19
- Against the median year of the Lexus RX. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
- Severity — 0
- 0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
- Early failure — not reported
- Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2012 compares with every other Lexus RX
Click any bar to open that year's report.
What breaks on a 2012 Lexus RX
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
3
16.7%
Median failure at 257,193 miles
Other & Unspecified
2
11.1%
Brakes
2
11.1%
Engine & Cooling
2
11.1%
Stability & Traction Control
1
5.6%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
1
5.6%
Tires
1
5.6%
Median failure at 30,171 miles
Lights
1
5.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
1
5.6%
Suspension
1
5.6%
Body & Structure
1
5.6%
Airbags
1
5.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
1
5.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2022
peak 5
May 2026
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
St. Petersburg, FL
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
failed Brake Actuator
NHTSA complaint #11739996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wake Forest, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl White (077) paint is delaminated from metallic car surfaces. The paint appears to be separating from the surface and peeling/cracking, not consistent with normal wear alone. I previously reported this concern to Lexus Corporate.
NHTSA complaint #11733008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 257,193 miles
Elgin, IL
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #11708430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lavista, NE
AIR BAGS
Air bag issue light turn on, it said b1608 front satellite sensor bus initialization error LH code
NHTSA complaint #11693738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,171 miles
Livingston, NJ
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11683882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lindale, TX
SERVICE 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.
NHTSA complaint #11665369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lindale, TX
ELECTRONIC 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.
NHTSA complaint #11665369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seminary, MS
EXTERIOR 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
NHTSA complaint #11655212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seminary, MS
SUSPENSION
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
NHTSA complaint #11655212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seminary, MS
ELECTRICAL 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
NHTSA complaint #11655212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seminary, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The engine shuts off for a second while driving
NHTSA complaint #11654908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seminary, MS
ENGINE
The engine shuts off for a second while driving
NHTSA complaint #11654908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Mirage, CA
POWER 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)
NHTSA complaint #11551111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Mirage, CA
VEHICLE 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)
NHTSA complaint #11551111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Mirage, CA
ENGINE
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)
NHTSA complaint #11551111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensboro, NC
UNKNOWN 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.
NHTSA complaint #11486798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Braden River, FL
UNKNOWN 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.
NHTSA complaint #11462950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.