Verdict
2012 Lexus IS: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2012 Lexus IS — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 41 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 66% of 2012 sedans. Air Bags leads the reports (61%). No safety recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2012 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
41
Reports to NHTSA, 2012
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
22
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 66% of 2012 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2012 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (61% of 41 reports), followed by electrical system (12%).
+ 2 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 41 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11270079, ODI 11234294, ODI 10938525, ODI 10734027, ODI 11454221.
Recalls
0 recalls — none issued for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change as NHTSA publishes new campaigns.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS 250/IS 250C | 2.5L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 | 29 | 24 |
| IS 350/IS 350C | 3.5L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 | 27 | 22 |
| IS 250/IS 250C | 2.5L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 19 | 27 | 22 |
| IS 250 AWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 | 26 | 22 |
| IS 350 AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 | 25 | 21 |
| IS F | 5.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 16 | 23 | 18 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2012 Lexus IS: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Lexus IS?
Owners filed 41 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Lexus IS — fewer complaints than 66% of comparable 2012 sedans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2012 Lexus IS?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (61% of complaints) and electrical system (12%).
How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus IS have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2012 Lexus IS as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Lexus IS get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Lexus IS between 18 and 24 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.