Model-year record
2012 Lexus LS
See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.
Records only
Not enough public evidence for a buyer decision.
The current record contains zero owner complaints, zero recalls, zero investigations, and no NHTSA crash rating. An empty record is not proof that this model year is reliable or problem-free.
Complaints filed
8
Reports to NHTSA, 2012
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
19
EPA estimate
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (38% of 8 reports), followed by service brakes (25%).
Share of all 8 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11485175, ODI 11485182, ODI 11190207.
Individual complaint reports(8)
Showing the 8 most recent reportsElectrical SystemMay 2025 · ODI 11661789Details +Close −
unknown
- Reported
- May 2025
- Incident date
- May 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherAug 2024 · ODI 11609606Details +Close −
See attached document for complaint
- Reported
- Aug 2024
- Incident date
- Oct 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsSep 2022 · ODI 11485175 · crashDetails +Close −
Someone hit from front left head on but the airbags did not deploy. Car was damaged the extent that it maybe totalled. I am working with ALSTATE Insurance at this time.
- Reported
- Sep 2022
- Incident date
- Sep 2022
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Crash
Air BagsSep 2022 · ODI 11485182 · crashDetails +Close −
I am uploading for complaint number 11485175
- Reported
- Sep 2022
- Incident date
- Sep 2022
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Crash
Service BrakesDec 2019 · ODI 11288166Details +Close −
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS LS460. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKES SHOOK AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED CHATHAM PARKWAY LEXUS AT 888-379-0084 (LOCATED AT 1120 CHATHAM PKWY, SAVANNAH, GA 31405) AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE BRAKE FAILURE AND FOUND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: SB0036-15R1. THE CONTACT PROVIDED THE BULLETIN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
- Reported
- Dec 2019
- Incident date
- Jun 2017
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsMar 2019 · ODI 11190207Details +Close −
UPON INITIAL START UP THE AIRBAG FAILURE TAKE TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY' WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED. TOOK TO DEALER THAT DAY, WARNING LIGHT WENT OUT BUT DEALER OBTAINED A CODE SRS B19A6 INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH AN OPEN CIRCUIT ON THE HEADREST INFLATOR. TOLD TO RETURN IF LIGHT COMES BACK ON, IT DID AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF HEADREST INFLATOR AND THE CENTER AIRBAG ECU SENSOR ASSEMBLY. MANUFACTURE PROVIDED $750 CREDIT TOWARDS A $1,515.08 REPAIR.
- Reported
- Mar 2019
- Incident date
- Mar 2019
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Service BrakesFeb 2015 · ODI 10682682Details +Close −
RECENTLY TOOK MY 2012 LS460 INTO DEALER FOR BRAKING ISSUES. WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, CAR WOULD NOSE DIVE AS IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL IT MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE. BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALWAYS SOFT, FELT LIKE NO BRAKE PADS LEFT BUT THEY ALL HAD RECENTLY BEEN CHECKED 3 MONTHS AGO AND HAD 10MM LEFT. WHEN BRAKING, YOU CAN FEEL VIBRATIONS IN THE PEDAL. LEXUS DEALER CONFIRMED FAULTY BRAKE ACTUATOR. *TR
- Reported
- Feb 2015
- Incident date
- Feb 2015
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringApr 2014 · ODI 10583321Details +Close −
THE 1ST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN NOVATO, CA MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM THE IGNACIO BLVD BRIDGE OVER 101N TO NAVE DR. AFTER A RAIN THE PREVIOUS DAY. WHEN THE FRONT OF THE CAR SLID SLIGHTLY, THE SKID CONTROL TURNED THE WHEELS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT FORCING THE CAR INTO THE LANE TO MY LEFT. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO CAR IN THAT LANE OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BUT LEXUS REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE INSISTING IT MUST BE REPRODUCED BY A DEALER FOR THEM TO ACT. THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE AS NO DEALER HAS FACILITIES TO DO THIS. THE 2ND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A HILL AT THE INTERSECTION OF WILLARD & PARNASSUS IN SAN FRANCISCO ON 3/14/14. I HAD MADE A U-TURN TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE ON WILLARD AND WAS FACING DOWNHILL. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT RAPIDLY ROLLED FORWARD WHICH IS NOT EXPECTED IN AN AUTOMATIC. I SUBMITTED VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THIS TO LEXUS AND THIS PROBLEM WAS REPRODUCED BY FREEMAN LEXUS IN SANTA ROSA WHICH, HOWEVER, HAS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND LEXUS REFUSES TO DO SO THOUGH THIS, TOO, COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS 3RD INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 4/14/14 WHEN, AT WOODLAND MARKET IN ROSS, I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND THE REAR VIEW CAMERA DID NOT COME ON. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE AND THE CAMERA STILL DID NOT COME ON. I MADE A VIDEO OF THIS AND SENT IT TO LEXUS AND WENT TO LEXUS OF MARIN TO SHOW THEM THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BUT I COULD NOT GIVE IT TO THEM AND EXPLAINED THIS WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND STARTED AGAIN - WHICH I SHOWED THEM TO BE TRUE. THIS ALSO COULD BE A HAZARD BUT FREEMAN LEXUS CANNOT REPRODUCE THIS AND LEXUS ABSOLVES ITSELF OF ANY RESPONSIBILITY. LEXUS, IN FACT, TELLS ME IF THE CAR WORKS "AS DESIGNED" BASED ON WHAT THE DEALER CAN FIND THEY WILL NOT FIX OR INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE EVEN IF SAFETY IS INVOLVED. THIS VIOLATES THE TOYOTA DOJ AGREEMENT. *TR
- Reported
- Apr 2014
- Incident date
- May 2013
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Recalls
No recalls are listed for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change when NHTSA publishes new information.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS 600h L | 5.0L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | 19 | 23 | 20 |
| LS 460 L | 4.6L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 16 | 24 | 19 |
| LS 460 | 4.6L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 16 | 24 | 19 |
| LS 460 L AWD | 4.6L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 16 | 23 | 18 |
| LS 460 AWD | 4.6L 8-cyl | All-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
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Compare the year-by-year record
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2012 Lexus LS: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Lexus LS?
Owners filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Lexus LS. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.
What are the most common problems on the 2012 Lexus LS?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (38% of complaints) and service brakes (25%).
How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus LS have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2012 Lexus LS as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Lexus LS get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Lexus LS between 18 and 20 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.