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2012 Lexus RX350 problems

The most common problem on the 2012 Lexus RX350 is acceleration and speed control, typically around 14,878 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical RX350 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
67/100
Owner complaints
33
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
221
Worst area
Acceleration
Fuel economy
21mpg

The worst 2012 Lexus RX350 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Acceleration
    10
  • Brakes
    6
  • Airbags
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Engine
    4
  • Transmission
    4
  • Driver assistance
    3
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Lexus RX350

Sudden acceleration 5

Recalls 1

Electronic stability control (ESC)Reported February 12, 2014 · 261,114 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
Risk
If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 14V054000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2012 Lexus RX350

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Lexus RX350 221

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 221 bulletins for the 2012 Lexus RX350

2012 Lexus RX350 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cylFWD182521

What 2012 Lexus RX350 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 20, 2020 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 lexus rx330. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the ABS and brake system warning lights illuminated when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken to audi pensacola located at 6303 pensacola blvd, pensacola, fl 32505, (844) 313-0046, and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v054000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 92,988 miles · FL · fire

The cfei (certified fire & explosion investigator) fire lieutenant/investigator with the city of ft. Lauderdale's fire dept, who also responded to my 911 call, had pointed out and explained to me the intensity of flame, heat and burn pattern in the engine and stated that this was caused by a mechanical engine malfunction. What happened: I had just driven my 2012 lexus rx350 a short distance on the highway when I pulled into a 7-11 parking lot not far from the gas pumps and put the car in park. With the engine still running, I opened my drivers side window to talk to a friend when I immediately smelled something burning. I filed a report with lexus the very next day and received a letter 3 weeks later. Their last paragraph says "we understand that you reported this to geico as well. If their investigation has revealed any evidence of product liability, we will gladly review that information." I called out to him as he was walking from his vehicle towards my car and yelled out to him that something smelled like it was burning. He then told me to release the hood because he noticed smoke coming from the engine. He slightly raised the hood, saw a flame, slammed the hood shut, then he yelled out to me "get out of the car now your engine is on fire". I jumped out, called 911, then started taking photos with my phone while watching as my vehicle became engulfed in flames and smoke. First I heard the tires blow out then I heard the windshield blow out. My friend saw the flames when he lifted the hood and said he observed that the fire was burning in the center of the motor at the fuel manifold. The fire dept arrived about 5-7 minutes later and proceeded to try to put out the fire. The car is a total loss!

Filed Jan 3, 2020 · Airbags · 84,500 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

I was broadsided on my drivers door and not 1 airbag went off. The officer said she was driving at least 40mph. I had left the stop sign to make my left hand turn when it occured. My car was totaled

Filed Oct 15, 2019 · Airbags, Brakes · 66,123 miles · NJ · crash

I am the original owner of a 2013 lexus rx350. On august 14, 2019 as I was parking my car and rolling into a parking spot, with my foot only on the brake pedal, the engine revved and the car accelerated forward. The car hit a curb and gave me the time to react and applied enough brake pressure to stop the vehicle before it went into the street into oncoming traffic. The next day I brought the car into my local lexus dealership. They had the car for the entire day and could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. On august 17, 2019, the exact same thing happened as I was again rolling into a parking spot. Again with my foot only on the brake pedal, the engine revved and the car accelerated forward. This time I was not able to react quick enough as the car hit a concrete pole at the front of the parking spot. I had the car towed to the lexus dealership. Over the next 30-45 days an independent engineer removed the event data recorder (edr)from the car and sent it to toyota for analysis. On oct 3, 2019 toyota responded that based on their findings of the edr the vehicle is not defective. In my own search of the internet, I found numerous incidents on unintended acceleration for the same year, make and model as my car. I have sent letters to the ceo of toyota and lexus but as of this date, oct 15, 2019 neither toyota nor lexus has acknowledged or admitted that anything is defective with the vehicle. *js *js

Filed Apr 23, 2019 · Engine · 65,000 miles · CA

During driving in the highway suddenly the whole vehicle is shaking and reduced speed suddenly; all kind of engine warning lights are turned on as have to pull aside on the highway. Have to tow the car to the dealership and found that cylinder valve spring inside the engine has broken as the car only has about 65000 miles. This causing vehicle to misfire and vehicle is shaking. There are multiple recall of lexus model on valve spring and this obviously seems an manufacturer defect.

Filed Apr 12, 2019 · Seat belts, Steering · 32,000 miles · VA

Vehicle current mileage is 32k apprx garage kept. Front passenger belt locks frequently. Also the steering got hard. No leaking of any sort of oil too. Currently the vehicle is being used but scared if steering motion would freeze.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Body · 108,068 miles · UT

While driving on I-15 near st. George on an overcast, but dry road, we heard a loud bang or thump on our vehicle. Traffic was light and no other vehicles were near. We could find no evidence of damage. While listening to a news report last evening, involving a problem with spontaneous shattering of sunroofs, I immediaely went to my garage to look at my sunroof and sure enough it was shattered.

Filed Feb 23, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 75 miles · NE · crash

Both wheels are not stopping at the same time. The car has a slight jump forward when you expect to be totally stopped. The car has new front and back brakes.

Filed Nov 17, 2018 · Airbags · 65,000 miles · NY

Front passenger seat occupancy sensor is not working, it lights up, standing, im motion all the time, I am afraid if I have a wife or love one on that seat

Filed Dec 8, 2017 · Driver assistance · 108,000 miles · TX

Vehicle suddenly stalled on highway, check engine light, ABS malfunction, traction control lights all popped up on dashboard. Dealership erased that lights, vehicle gave same warning lights with power steering malfunction light too with other warning lights within 24 hrs, with complete stop on road at speed of 35mph. Vehicle was taken to dealership 4 times for same issue, dealership kept vehicle dealership stating ABS actuator malfunction (due to intermittent open circuit), refusing to replace the part under vehicle recall the federal safety agency campaign recalls 14v054000, as the code is different on vehicle. Car came to complete stop on highway due to these fluctuation in ABS system barely missing an accident.

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Questions about the 2012 Lexus RX350

Is the 2012 Lexus RX350 reliable?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2012 Lexus RX350, close to a typical RX350 model year.

What is the 2012 Lexus RX350 year score?

The 2012 Lexus RX350 scores 67 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lexus RX350: 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 RX350?

Acceleration and speed control, with 10 complaints, typically around 14,878 miles. Next is brakes (6).

How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus RX350 have?

1 recall, covering electronic stability control (esc).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Lexus RX350 get?

Official estimates for the 2012 Lexus RX350 range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 25 highway.

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