RoadVitals

2012 Lexus RX Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
11
Latest May 26, 2026
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
5
Reports on file since May 1, 2022

What this page shows

Our database holds 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Lexus RX. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–11 of 11

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 26, 2026

failed Brake Actuator

NHTSA ID
11739996
Incident
May 22, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Apr 22, 2026

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 ID
11733008
Incident
Dec 31, 2022
Electrical
Filed Jan 2, 2026

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 ID
11708430
Incident
Jan 2, 2026
Mileage
257,193 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 16, 2025

Air bag issue light turn on, it said b1608 front satellite sensor bus initialization error LH code

NHTSA ID
11693738
Incident
Oct 13, 2025
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 29, 2025

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 ID
11683882
Incident
Aug 26, 2025
Mileage
30,171 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 6, 2025

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 ID
11665369
Incident
Oct 6, 2022
ElectricalExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Apr 17, 2025

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 ID
11655212
Incident
Mar 26, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 16, 2025

The engine shuts off for a second while driving

NHTSA ID
11654908
Incident
Mar 27, 2025
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 20, 2023

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 ID
11551111
Incident
Oct 11, 2023
Filed Sep 27, 2022

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 ID
11486798
Incident
Aug 17, 2022
Filed May 1, 2022

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 ID
11462950
Incident
Apr 8, 2022

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .