Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Lexus CT200H problems

Owners filed 51 complaints about the 2012 Lexus CT200H with NHTSA between Oct 2012 and Apr 2025. The most-cited component is engine (17).

Complaints
51
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine17
  2. Service brakes11
  3. Air bags7
  4. Electrical system5
  5. Fuel/propulsion system2
  6. Exterior lighting2
  7. Structure2
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  9. Suspension2
  10. Tires1
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  12. Power train1
  13. Vehicle speed control1
  14. Visibility/wiper1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20121
20137
20142
20152
20161
20178
20183
20192
20209
20212
20223
20233
20246
20252

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

17 reports1 crash
“I am writing to bring to your attention a serious safety issue that occurred with my vehicle. While driving on the expressway, the engine oil burned and the oil warning light illuminated on the dashboard, posing a significant risk to my safety and the safety of others on the road. Specifically, the engine oil system malfunctioned, causing a sudden and complete loss of engine lubrication. This incident can be verified through an inspection of the vehicle, which is available upon request. My safety and the safety of other motorists were severely compromised due to this malfunction. The sudden failure of the engine oil system could have resulted in a catastrophic engine failure, potentially leading to a loss of control of the vehicle at high speeds. Fortunately, I was able to safely pull over to the side of the road, but the situation could have been much worse. Upon experiencing the issue, I had the vehicle towed to Service Center where the problem was reproduced and confirmed by a certified mechanic. They conducted a thorough inspection and confirmed that the engine oil had indeed burned, leading to the illumination of the oil warning light. The inspection…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2024EngineODI 11596238

Service brakes

11 reports
“Brake failure while driving. The brake pedal went soft when pressed and all the associated warning lights illuminated. ABS, traction, control, etc. This is a known issue for Toyota and Lexus, and even after servicing my vehicle at the dealer for the last two years I was never notified that this was a concern.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2025Service brakesODI 11654277

Air bags

7 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS CT 200H. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED BECAUSE NO TECHNICIANS WERE WILLING TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SPARK TOYOTA (4855 US-501, MYRTLE BEACH, SC) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A CERTIFIED LEXUS TECHNICIAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2018Air bagsODI 11124508

Electrical system

5 reports
“I HAD MY HEADLIGHTS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. ROUGHLY ONE YEAR LATER MY HEADLIGHT IS OUT AGAIN. IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND CONTAIN A LOT OF PARTS. I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES, AND THEREFOR I'M NOT SURE WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2020Electrical systemODI 11343506

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“First noticed excessive oil usage. Then, engine rumble. Temperature warning light. Took to repair shop who was unable to repair stating ONLY Lexus has tools required to repair. Lexus will not divulge how to repair. Lexus states a letter was mailed to me (never received) in 2016 for a service issue - warranty enhancement. Thus, they are aware of the issue. Now that I’m having issues with the car (2021), the car is too old and has too many miles, thus, Lexus will not repair free of charge under service issue. I am Scared to drive because of hundreds of on line reports that state car can and make completely stop while driving. Toyota is fully aware of the issue and should be help liable to repair under a recall. Note: I’ve had my car repaired for other issues by Certified Lexus since 2016 and the service centers never mentioned the issue/warranty enhancement - a known issue apparently since 2016.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2022Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11461065

Exterior lighting

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS CT 200H. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING WITH THE HI-BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING LOW-BEAM BULBS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2020Exterior lightingODI 11383686
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.