2012 Lexus ES Owner Complaints

The contact owned a 2012 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front, resulting in a three-vehicle crash. The impact caused the hood to unlatch, and the hood flew up. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's grandson was a passenger in a rear-facing car seat, and the contact was unable to determine whether the child had sustained any injuries. The contact suffered a sore neck and body, and medical attention was received. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and declared a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and requested that the vehicle be retrieved to access the Event Data Recorder (EDR). The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID

11752348

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

Mileage

82,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the reflection from the melted dashboard reflected onto the windshield. In addition, the contact’s vision was impaired while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11747902

Incident

Jan 20, 2026

Mileage

65,000 mi

Incident Description: The instrument panel (dashboard) and interior trim panels of my 2012 Lexus ES 350 have suffered a complete material failure, transforming from a solid surface into a viscous, melting adhesive. This is a known manufacturing defect documented under Lexus Customer Support Program ZLZ. This failure creates a critical safety risk because the degraded surface has become highly reflective, producing a blinding glare on the windshield that severely obstructs my visibility while driving. Furthermore, the material has liquefied directly over the passenger-side airbag deployment zone; I am concerned this sticky residue will interfere with the deployment timing or cause adhesive-coated debris to be projected at occupants during a collision. There were no electronic warning lamps prior to this structural failure; the symptoms began as a slight tackiness that rapidly accelerated into a melting state where the surface now attracts debris and cannot be cleaned. This condition was confirmed by [Insert Dealer Name] during an inspection, where service technicians acknowledged the symptoms were consistent with the ZLZ campaign. However, Lexus has refused to assist with the repair, citing an expired secondary coverage window. I believe a known manufacturing defect that compromises driver visibility and airbag integrity constitutes a safety hazard that must be addressed regardless of the vehicle's age. The vehicle and the defective components remain available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11721695

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

I HAVE A 2012 LEXUS ES350 PURCHASED USED FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE MELTING DASHBOARD ISSUE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD IN SUNLIGHT THAT OBSCURES MY VIEW. THE LEXUS DEALER AND LEXUS CORPORATE SAY IT'S TOO BAD BECAUSE THE CASE IS CLOSED BUT I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION. THEY SAID RECALL NOTIFICATION PROBABLY WENT TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER. HOW IS THIS A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION? THE CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11691121

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

Driving down the interstate and out of the blue my sunroof exploded. It sounded like a gunshot and I was driving 80mph. I almost ran into another driver due to glass falling on me.

NHTSA ID

11637350

Incident

Jan 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while sitting in the sun, the dashboard melted causing a glare in the windshield. The contact called the dealer and was advised to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact there were no open recalls associated with the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11583409

Incident

Apr 14, 2023

Mileage

130,000 mi

The dashboard is melting causing a glare that’s hard to see through on the windshield. I found a self service from Lexus that they recalled it themselves but it isn’t official thought the government. [XXX] ). I called Lexus and they said I had to call corporate, so I did. They still wouldn’t help me as it isn’t an official recall even though they extended the program to 2026. This is a major saftey concern. I could eventually hit someone because of the glare. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11583403

Incident

Apr 16, 2024

Sticky dash board, tryed to clean it and it becomes shinny and reflects sunlight

NHTSA ID

11493290

Incident

Nov 12, 2022

Airbag recall was replaced 8/02/2022. Car accident occurred 8/03/2022. Airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ID

11478255

Incident

Aug 3, 2022

Sales rep. Stated that the dash boards is very sticky

NHTSA ID

11417602

Incident

May 18, 2021

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHILE PULLING STRAIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT. VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 1 MPH WITH FOOT GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKE WHILE COMING TO A STOP. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT WHAT APPEARS TO BE FULL THROTTLE. CAR JUMPED OVER CONCRETE PARKING CURB AND RESTED ON TOP OF THE CONCRETE CURB, COMING TO A HALT. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 12, 2020.

NHTSA ID

11366111

Incident

Oct 12, 2020

Mileage

73,000 mi

I RECEIVED A LETTER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO NEAREST DEALER FOR AIR BAG RECALL REPLACEMENT PROCESS, AND I CALLED AND INITIATED ONLINE CHATTING W/ THE LEXUS AIR BAG RECALL SUPPORT TEAM NUMEROUS TIMES BUT FAILED TO GET A RESPONSE FROM THEM. ONLINE CHAT REPRESENTATIVE STATED THEY CAN'T HELP WITH SCHEDULING, AND REPRESENTATIVES OVER THE PHONE, MORE THAN 6 TIMES OF ATTEMPT, EITHER HUNG UP DURING THE CALL AND KEPT ON TRANSFERRING. IT HAPPENED SINCE MARCH ON A DIFFERENT DATES AND THEY STILL REFUSED TO COMPLETE THE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING PROCESS.

NHTSA ID

11363245

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

LIGHT CAN ON AND OFF 12/20/2019 WHEN I WAS DRIVING, I PULL INTO PARKING LOT AND CUT OFF ENGINE...WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED CAR BACK UP IT WENT AWAY, THE NEXT DAY 12/21/2019 WHEN I STARTED UP MY CAR IT CAME ON WHILE STILL PARK AND STAY ON, NOT A GOOD FEELING .

NHTSA ID

11290583

Incident

Dec 20, 2019

Mileage

67,632 mi

ALL 4 DOORS STOPPED LOCKING BY KEY FOB, INSIDE SWITCHES OR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SWITCHES OR WHEN PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. NO CLICK IS HEARD WHEN TRYING TO LOCK DOORS BUT CLICKING IS HEARD WHEN HITTING THE UNLOCK SWITCHES. DOORS WILL UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY/ ELECTRICALLY WHEN THEY ARE MANUALLY LOCKED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. A PREVIOUS REPORT INDICATED A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT A DEALER DIAGNOSED AS ALL OF THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED REPLACED, WHICH MAKES NO SENSE THAT THE COULD ALL FAIL MECHANICALLY AT THE SAME TIME. THE PROBLEM APPEARS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND IS DANGEROUS SINCE DOORS CAN'T BE LOCKED WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR IN A SAFETY SITUATION WHERE LOCKING THE DOORS COULD PREVENT INTRUDER ENTRY.

NHTSA ID

11271119

Incident

Oct 25, 2019

Mileage

128,000 mi

THE HORN QUIT WORKING. FOUND IT WORKS ONLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED CLOSE TO END OF CLOCKWISE AND COUNTERCLOCKWISE DIRECTION. DEEMED SAFETY HAZARD SINCE NO HORN SOUND TO ALERT PEDESTIANS, BICYCLISTS AND OTHER DRIVERS OF DANGER. WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND COST $690 TO REPLACE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING.

NHTSA ID

11271116

Incident

May 30, 2019

Mileage

124,000 mi

THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO ACQUIRE A REPLACEMENT AIR BAG FOR MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO CARRY PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE THEREFORE A RISK TO MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ID

11054884

Incident

Jul 6, 2017

RECALL

NHTSA ID

11039722

Incident

Oct 24, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED AN INTERIM RECALL NOTICE ON 02-23-2017. I AM STILL WAITING FOR A NOTICE THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES VIA EMAIL TO DISCUSS THE DELAY BUT LEXUS REPRESENTATIVES REFUSE TO RESPOND TO MY QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL. THEY INSIST I CONTACT THEM BY TELEPHONE.

NHTSA ID

11039293

Incident

Feb 23, 2017

NO ACTION ON THE AIRBAG RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11035971

Incident

Oct 23, 2017

TAKATA RECALL AND ELECTRICAL FAILURES. LEXUS RECALLED VEHICLE IN JAN 2017 WARNING THAT NO ONE SHOULD SIT IN FRONT SEAT FOR DURATION. NO PROVISION FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WAS MENTIONED. IT HAS BEEN 10 MONTHS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO USE FRONT SEAT. THEY SAY THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER. OUR VEHICLE IS ALSO GETTING MY WIFE STRANDED. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 BATTERIES IN 3 YEARS. LEXUS REFUSES TO FIX IT. PLEASE REFERENCE ATTACHED RECALL LETTER. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTACH THE COMPLETE SET OF DOCS WITH DETAILED DESCRIPTION DUE TO FILE SIZE.

NHTSA ID

11035214

Incident

Sep 28, 2017

TAKATA RECALL WHILE THE RECALL LETTER WAS UNDATED, I RECEIVED IT IN JANUARY 2017 OR AT THE LATEST, EARLY FEBRUARY 2017. I CHECKED WITH TWO LEXUS DEALERSHIPS ON MARCH 20, 2017, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY WERE WORKING ON 2010 MODELS AND THAT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR MY MODEL LEXUS. FOR 8 MONTHS I HAVE AVOIDED HAVING PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THAT IS A LONG TIME. THERE IS SOME FOOT-DRAGGING ON THE PART OF TAKATA OR LEXUS OR BOTH. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO EXPEDITE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG?

NHTSA ID

11024547

Incident

Jan 31, 2017

Mileage

43,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL FIRST WE RECEIVED A RECALL VERY SCARY LETTER INCLUDING NOT TO RIDE ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THAT WAS ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO. THEN WE WERE TOLD BY DEALER THEY WOULD CALL AS SOON AS THEY HAD REPLACEMENT BAG. THAT WAS AROUND FEB 2017 THEN WE FINALLY LOOKED UP ON WEBSITE TO SEE WHEN MANUFACTURER WOULD MAKE PART AVAILABLE IT SAID SEPTEMBER 2017 . WE JUST CALLED SEWELL LEXUS IN DALLAS WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. NOW THEY SAY THE RISK IS MINIMAL AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL MAKE PART AVAILABLE FOR CARS THAT ARE AT GREATER RISK . THAT MAY MAKE SENSE TO THEM BUT NOT TO US AS CONSUMERS. ANY RISK IS UNACCEPTABLE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND WE PURCHASED A LEXUS FOR SAFETY.

NHTSA ID

11021736

Incident

Sep 6, 2017

I RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING MY LEXUS, RECALL. SINCE THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE I WAS TOLD TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND WAS GIVEN A RENTAL CAR. NOW I AM STUCK MAKING PYMT ON A CAR, PAYING INSURANCE ON AND STATE REGISTRATION WHICH I VE BEEN FORCED TO STORE. AND DRIVING AN ECONOMY VEHICLE, NOT MY LUXURY LEXUS! WITH NO KNOWN COMPLETION DATE INSIGHT. THIS IS INSANE TO SAY THE LEAST. IF THIS CAR IS A LEMON WHY AM I NOT ALLOWED TO TURN IT IN AS A LEMON?

NHTSA ID

11000666

Incident

Apr 4, 2017

TAKATA INFLATORS WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS TO DATE WITH THIS ISSUE. WE USE THIS CAR FOR FAMILY TRANSPORTATION AND BASED ON THE SUMMARY AND RISK STATEMENTS FOR NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 17V006 ARE RELUCTANT TO ALLOW ANYONE TO SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE RELATIVELY RECENT ISSUE OF JAN 09, 2017 MAY NOT ALLOW A REMEDY TO BE EXECUTED YET. HOWEVER, CAN YOU HELP EXPEDITE THIS RESOLUTION OR AT LEAST PROVIDE SOME IDEA OF HOW LONG IT MAY TAKE TO FIX IT. IT IS A TERRIBLE INCONVENIENCE TO ONE OF OUR MOST BASIC MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

10984412

Incident

May 9, 2017

TAKATA RECALL OR TAKATA ISSUES - I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2012 LEXUS ES 350. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE (2005 JEEP LIBERTY) AT ABOUT 45MPH AND MY FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH INDICATED THAT IF HIT FROM BEHIND THE FRONT AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FRONT COLLISIONS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE FOR ALL CONSUMERS BECAUSE THE FORCE OF THE ACCIDENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET CAUSED ME AND MY HUSBAND AS THE PASSENGERS BODILY HARM. MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIS HEAD HIT THE DASHBOARD - CONCUSSIONS AND LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. HAD WE BEEN HIT ANY HARDER IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH. ALSO, HAD THE LEXUS BEEN DESIGNED TO DEPLOY THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND AT A CERTAIN SPEED, IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED US FROM HITTING OUR HEADS ON SUCH HARD SURFACES. I AM OUTRAGE AND DISAPPOINTED THAT SUCH A LUXURY CAR COULD NOT KEEP US SAFE. BECAUSE OF THIS EXPERIENCE I AM HESITANT ABOUT PURCHASING ANOTHER LEXUS OR RECOMMENDING THAT ANYONE ELSE I KNOW PURCHASE A LEXUS.

NHTSA ID

10979405

Incident

Sep 14, 2016

Mileage

60,000 mi