MYRModel Year Report

2012 Lexus ES350

▲ Better than typical
2012 Lexus ES350
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:43:48.515Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
89
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

89% of complaints

Complaints per year

2007: 465 complaints 2007 2008: 255 complaints 2009: 145 complaints 2010: 137 complaints 2010 2011: 153 complaints 2012: 89 complaints 2012 89 2013: 23 complaints 2014: 16 complaints 2015: 16 complaints 2016: 21 complaints 2016 2017: 22 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 5 complaints 2019 2020: 5 complaints 2021: 5 complaints 2022: 2 complaints 2022 2023: 1 complaint
2007: 465 complaints 2007 2008: 255 complaints 2009: 145 complaints 2009 2010: 137 complaints 2011: 153 complaints 2011 2012: 89 complaints 2012 89 2013: 23 complaints 2013 2014: 16 complaints 2015: 16 complaints 2015 2016: 21 complaints 2017: 22 complaints 2017 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 5 complaints 2019 2020: 5 complaints 2021: 5 complaints 2021 2022: 2 complaints 2023: 1 complaint 2023
2007: 465 complaints 2007 2008: 255 complaints 2008 2009: 145 complaints 2009 2010: 137 complaints 2010 2011: 153 complaints 2011 2012: 89 complaints 2012 89 2013: 23 complaints 2013 2014: 16 complaints 2014 2015: 16 complaints 2015 2016: 21 complaints 2016 2017: 22 complaints 2017 2018: 5 complaints 2018 2019: 5 complaints 2019 2020: 5 complaints 2020 2021: 5 complaints 2021 2022: 2 complaints 2022 2023: 1 complaint 2023

2012: 89 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2007465
2008255
2009145
2010137
2011153
201289
201323
201416
201516
201621
201722
20185
20195
20205
20215
20222
20231

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

89% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing on-off switch assembly and knee bolster.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-08

Latches/locks/linkages

3% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing lock and latch.

Vehicle speed control

2% · 2 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-25

Electrical system

2% · 2 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-08

Structure

2% · 2 reports

Most commonly citing door and body.

FIRE

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2017-02-01Air bags17V006000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2019-02-15Air bags19V005000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2019-11-20Air bags19V741000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F,...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Lexus ES350 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 79 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 17V006000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V005000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V741000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Lexus ES350 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Lexus ES350 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Lexus ES350?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 89% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus ES350 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.