RoadVitals

2012 Lexus GX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
3
Latest Oct 27, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Lexus GX, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and driver assistance categories. 61 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags120.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Driver assistance120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%

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

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2023

DURING INSPECTION, TECHNICIAN NOTED COOLANT RESERVOIR VERY LOW. TECHNICIAN TRACED COOLANT LEAK TO VALLEY SEAL. RECOMMEND TO REPLACE NOTICED BEFORE PERFORMING COOLANT REPLACEMENT FOUND THE RESERVOIR WAS NEAR EMPTY INDICATING A LEAK IN THE SYSTEM. INSPECTED RADIATOR ASSEMBLY AND FOUND NO OBVIOUS LEAKS. INSPECTED COOLANT VALLEY FROM UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND LARGE AMOUNTS OF DRY COOLANT AROUND THE TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSING. THIS CONFIRMS THE COOLANT VALLEY IS INDEED LEAKING AND WILL NEED TO BE RESEALED. RESEAL COOLANT VALLEY AND REPLACE SEALS/GASKETS NECESSARY. Driver comment: This is a known issue with Toyota/Lexus V8 engines. Toyota/Lexus needs to take ownership (recall) and fix the worn out seals without charge.

NHTSA ID
11552300
Incident
Oct 10, 2023
Airbags
Filed Sep 18, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. UNACCEPTABLE WAIT TIME FOR REMEDY (REPLACEMENT.) IN OUR PRESENT HOME STATE OF FLORIDA, ANOTHER(!!) FLORIDIAN HAS DIED -- THIS TIME, A 34YR OLD WOMAN, 07.28.2017. DURING THE MANDATORY HURRICANE EVACUATION, OUR FAMILY WAS FORCED TO USE OUR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THANK G-D NOTHING HAPPENED, BUT THIS CORRECTIVE PERIOD IS GONE ON TOO LONG. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING MONTHS FOR RESOLUTION -- AND ALL WE ARE TOLD IS THAT THE NECESSARY PART IS UNAVAILABLE AND TO WAIT LONGER -- AND IN THE INTERIM PLACE OUR FAMILY IN A POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG?! DOES SOMEONE'S TEENAGE CHILD HAVE TO DIE DURING A MANDATORY EVACUATION IN ORDER FOR RESOLUTION TO HAPPEN?! I AM TIRED OF BEING PATIENT. PLEASE, SOMEONE EXPLAIN THE LACK OF APPARENT URGENCY. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE NEED TO DIE? THE DEATH TOLL ESTIMATE IS NOW 19. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE NEED TO DIE BEFORE THE REST OF US GET ANSWERS?!?!

NHTSA ID
11023915
Incident
Sep 18, 2017
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Nov 14, 2012

A BUZZY/ SQUEEZE NOISE HEARD WHEN APPLY BRAKE PEDAL ELEC. STABILITY CONTROL IS HARD TO USE PROPULSION MAKES UP A LARGE NOISE WHEN START ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10484650
Incident
May 16, 2012
Mileage
20 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0017-19 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

L-SB-0017-19 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0030-24

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus GX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100
2025132047.9
2024184053.6
2023600
2022500
2021200
2020300
2019800
2018200
2017501
2016300
2015300
2014150046.8
2013100041.6
2012Viewing300
2011110043.9
2010700
2009010
2008200
2007120028.0
2006100027.2
2005300
2004200035.9
2003500

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.