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)
The worst 2012 Lexus RX problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical3
- Engine3
- Brakes2
- Driver assistance2
- Acceleration1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical3
- Engine3
- Brakes2
- Driver assistance2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Lights1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Lexus RX 33
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
- Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The...
- Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
- Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- DP: Customer Support Program 19LE05 expired December 1, 2022.
2012 Lexus RX fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 31 | 28 | 29 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl Hybrid | AWD | 29 | 27 | 28 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | AWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
What 2012 Lexus RX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
failed Brake Actuator
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.
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.
Air bag issue light turn on, it said b1608 front satellite sensor bus initialization error LH code
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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
The engine shuts off for a second while driving
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)
Compare the 2012 Lexus RX
RX vs Acura MDXRX vs BMW X5RX vs Volvo XC90RX vs Audi Q7RX vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 350RX vs Cadillac XT5
Other model years
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Questions about the 2012 Lexus RX
Is the 2012 Lexus RX reliable?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2012 Lexus RX, fewer than a typical RX model year.
What is the 2012 Lexus RX year score?
The 2012 Lexus RX scores 88 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lexus RX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Lexus RX?
Electrical system, with 3 complaints. Next is engine (3).
How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus RX have?
No recalls on record.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Lexus RX get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Lexus RX range from 20 to 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 31 city and 28 highway.
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