2012 Lexus ES350 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Lexus ES350, 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
- Airbags7784.6%
- Interior & seats33.3%
- Driver assistance22.2%
- Electrical22.2%
- Body & structure22.2%
- Heating & air conditioning11.1%
- Brakes11.1%
- Other / unspecified11.1%
- Seat belts11.1%
- Steering11.1%
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LEXUS DEALER (HENNESSY LEXUS OF ATLANTA, 5955 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341, 770-457-6800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
DRIVER SIDE KNEE AIRBAG CAUSED HEMATOMA, SECOND DEGREE BURN ON L. LEG, RESULTING IN 2 SURGERIES, USE OF WOUND VAC FOR 2 1/2 MONTHS, AND PERMANENT LYMPEDEMA AND SCARRING ON L. CALF. DRIVER HAS REPLACED KNEES THAT ARE AT HIGH RISK IF FURTHER CRASH AND KNEE BAG DEPLOYS AGAIN. DRIVER NEEDS ON-OFF SWITCH INSTALLED FOR DRIVER KNEE AIRBAG. DRIVER WAS NOT AT FAULT IN THIS ACCIDENT AND WANTS KNEE AIRBAGS REMOVED OR AN ON-OFF SWITCH INSTALLED. THE AIRBAG ON STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED CORRECTLY AND CAUSED NO DAMAGE. THE KNEE AIRBAG IS A DANGER TO DRIVER.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the key was detected, and trunk open warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the doors would lock and unlock independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the trunk latch replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and agreed to cover the cost of the partial repair. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was not available.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS MOVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC HEADING TOWARD AN INTERSECTION (AROUND 15 MILES PER HOUR). WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE WHEN TWO CARS IN FRONT OF ME WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, MY CAR ZOOMED TO AROUND 60 MILES PER HOUR (FELT LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WENT LIMP). I PUMPED THE POWER BRAKES AND THEY WOULD NOT HOLD (PER LEXUS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS GOING TO FAST FOR THE AIR BRAKES). I WENT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND SWERVED AROUND A CAR AND WAS HEADING TOO FAST IN THE LANE OF TRAFFIC THAT I WAS GOING TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TURNED QUICKLY INTO A PARKING LOT LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO CRASH THE CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP IT. A CAR APPROACHED ME COMING IN THE OTHER END OF THE PARKING LOT, AND I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE. WHEN I DID THAT THE ZOOM WENT OUT OF THE CAR, AND THE BRAKE HELD. THERE WERE 2 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN IN THAT CAR. (WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE GOOD DURING THIS DRIVING PERIOD).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UNUSUALLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A RESTRAINING WALL. THE CONTACT WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 7,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the key was detected, and trunk open warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the doors would lock and unlock independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the trunk latch replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and agreed to cover the cost of the partial repair. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was not available.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THE PERSON DRIVING SAW SMOKE STARTING TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, AFTER THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A SMALL BURN HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,200. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN LEXUS INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE BURN HOLD WAS NOT LOCATED NEAR THE SEAT HEATER GRID OR WHERE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WAS LOCATED AND THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 03/02/15*JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LEXUS OF CLEARWATER (27547 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, (727) 231-1443) DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE MELTING AND STICKY. THERE WAS NO CUSHION PROTECTION ON THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE 2012 LEXUS ES350 WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT, WHICH ENDED IN MAY OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THE PERSON DRIVING SAW SMOKE STARTING TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, AFTER THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A SMALL BURN HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,200. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN LEXUS INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE BURN HOLD WAS NOT LOCATED NEAR THE SEAT HEATER GRID OR WHERE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WAS LOCATED AND THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 03/02/15*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER BEING CUT OFF. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE WHEELS SEIZED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MICHELIN DEFENDER TIRES JUST HAVE 10 MILES ON THEM . THEY HAVE ALWAYS HAD EXTREME ROAD NOISE, THEY HANDLE AWFUL. I'M REALLY THINKING OF TAKING THEM OFF AND PUTTING ON YOKOHAMAS OR GOODYEAR OR ANY TIRE OTHER THAN MICHELIN DEFENDERS,ALSO WHILE TURNING WITH DEFENDER TIRES IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE TO HOLD THE WHEEL EXTRA TIGHT BECAUSE IIT FEELS LIKE THE TIRES FEEL BIGGER THAN THEY ARE,LIKE I'M TURNING IN MUD. ALSO I ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY OIL CHANGE. ALL IN ALL TERRIBLE TIRES. I WISH I COULD GET SOME KIND OF REFUND FROM MICHELIN TIRE COMPANY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR WAS BROKEN IN THE CENTER REAR SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. WHEN YOU PULLED THE SHOULDER BELT OUT ALL THE WAY, AND THEN LET IT BACK IN SLOWLY, THE ALR DID NOT ENGAGE. THE BELT REMAINED IN ELR MODE THROUGHOUT - AS SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GKKQVRSRF8Q THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THE VEHICLE CLEARLY STATES THAT THERE IS A SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR FOR ALL 3 REAR SHOULDER BELTS - BUT THE CENTER ONE IN THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THIS DEFECT IS IN VIOLATION OF THE LOCKABILITY REQUIREMENT IN FMVSS 208. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON FEB 7, 2019 VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY DEALER REGARDING A RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS ON DEALERS LIFT AT TIME OF DETECTION OF LEAK ON FEB 8, 2019 POWER STEERING RACK LEAK WAS FOUND BY DEALER ON FEB 8, 9 AND 10, 2019 DEALER REPLACED LEAKING POWER STEERING RACK.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .