2012 Lexus RX recalls & problems
The 2012 Lexus RX has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 12 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine (3 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2012 Lexus RX.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
RX 450h Hybrid
| City / highway | 31 / 28 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
RX 450h AWD Hybrid
| City / highway | 29 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | — |
| Electrical system Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer | 3 | — |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Power train | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | — |
| Suspension | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | — |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
| Structure Body | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Sep 12, 2026Engine
Alternator completely shut down on Sunday,XXX. Battery warning light came on out of the blue on Sat, XXX at 8:45 PM in Independence, MO in front of Walmart on [XXX], had to go autozone on [XXX] in [XXX]. Test came back showing Alternator failure. Now power steering is gone and prob battery too. All interior electric systems shut down also. Headlight bulbs became affected within 1 month of purchase from dealership on XXX. Replacement bulbs for dims done last week. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) - May 22, 2026Service brakes
failed Brake Actuator - Dec 31, 2022Structure › Body
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. - Jan 2, 2026 · 257,193 milesElectrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
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. - Oct 13, 2025Air bags
Air bag issue light turn on, it said b1608 front satellite sensor bus initialization error LH code - Aug 26, 2025 · 30,171 milesTires
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… - Oct 6, 2022Service brakes, hydraulic
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. - Mar 26, 2025Electrical system
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 youâre driving and then the front and shakes so bad that it shakes you just about off the road when you hit the brakes
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.