RoadVitals

2012 Lexus ES Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
31
Latest Jul 23, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Lexus ES, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1959.4%
  • Electrical515.6%
  • Visibility39.4%
  • Body & structure26.3%
  • Interior & seats26.3%
  • Driver assistance13.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 23, 2026

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

NHTSA ID 11478255 · filed Aug 8, 2022
All 19 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 25, 2019

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 · filed Oct 25, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 21, 2025

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 · filed Apr 16, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 21, 2025

ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD NEXT TO TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCH, DASHBOARD VINYL IS MELTING, IT HAS BUBBLE AND ONE BUBBLE WAS BROKEN TO MAKE A HOLE. I NOTICED IT ON APRIL 1, 2014. WHEN I CHANGED THE CABIN AIR FILTER ON MARCH,31 IN GLOVE COMPARTMENT, I DIDN'T SEE IT. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO NEW COUNTRY LEXUS AND DESCRIBED THE ISSUE HOPING THAT THEIR TECHNICIAN MAY SEE ISSUE WITH TEMPERATURE CONTROL RESISTANCE MAY CAUSING WIRING TO HEAT THAT IS CAUSING VINYL TO MELT. BUT THEY DIDN'T SEE IT THAT WAY, INSTEAD THEY ARE SAYING THAT I MIGHT HAVE DROPPED A CHEMICAL ON IT, I SWORE TO THEM I DIDN'T USE ANY CHEMICAL AND I DON'T HAVE ANY PASSENGER EXCEPT MY WIFE. I DON'T WANT TO FIX THE VINYL UNTIL I FIX WHAT CAUSED IT. BUT, UNFORTUNATELY LEXUS DEALERSHIPS TRAINED TECHNICIAN DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING CAUSING IT FROM THE INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. BY TAKING SECOND OPINION FROM OUTSIDE REPAIR SHOP, HE MENTIONED THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL RESISTANCE MAY BE HEATING UP THE WIRE THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE VINYL TO MELT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A REAL ISSUE AND IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH LEXUS CORPORATE AND A CASE MANAGE PROMISED TO CALL ME BY APRIL 4, 2014. UPDATED 04/17/14

NHTSA ID 10576878 · filed Apr 2, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 2, 2026

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 · filed Apr 16, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 23, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .