Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Lexus ES350 problems

Owners filed 116 complaints about the 2012 Lexus ES350 with NHTSA between Jan 2013 and Jan 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (95).

Complaints
116
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags95
  2. Electrical system7
  3. Structure5
  4. Visibility/wiper3
  5. Latches/locks/linkages3
  6. Vehicle speed control3
  7. Steering1
  8. Wheels1
  9. Seats1
  10. Seat belts1
  11. Service brakes1
  12. Other / unknown3

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 11, 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
20132
20142
20154
20162
201786
20185
20195
20203
20212
20222
20230
20242
20251

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

Air bags

95 reports5 crashes1 fire3 related recalls
“I RECEIVED A LETTER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO NEAREST DEALER FOR AIR BAG RECALL REPLACEMENT PROCESS, AND I CALLED AND INITIATED ONLINE CHATTING W/ THE LEXUS AIR BAG RECALL SUPPORT TEAM NUMEROUS TIMES BUT FAILED TO GET A RESPONSE FROM THEM. ONLINE CHAT REPRESENTATIVE STATED THEY CAN'T HELP WITH SCHEDULING, AND REPRESENTATIVES OVER THE PHONE, MORE THAN 6 TIMES OF ATTEMPT, EITHER HUNG UP DURING THE CALL AND KEPT ON TRANSFERRING. IT HAPPENED SINCE MARCH ON A DIFFERENT DATES AND THEY STILL REFUSED TO COMPLETE THE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING PROCESS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2020Air bagsODI 11363245

Electrical system

7 reports1 crash2 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the key was detected, and trunk open warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the doors would lock and unlock independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the trunk latch replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and agreed to cover the cost of the partial repair. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2021Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11438493

Structure

5 reports1 fire
“Driving down the interstate and out of the blue my sunroof exploded. It sounded like a gunshot and I was driving 80mph. I almost ran into another driver due to glass falling on me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2025Structure, Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11637350

Visibility/wiper

3 reports
“The dashboard is melting causing a glare that’s hard to see through on the windshield. I found a self service from Lexus that they recalled it themselves but it isn’t official thought the government. [XXX] ). I called Lexus and they said I had to call corporate, so I did. They still wouldn’t help me as it isn’t an official recall even though they extended the program to 2026. This is a major saftey concern. I could eventually hit someone because of the glare.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2024Visibility/wiperODI 11583403

Latches/locks/linkages

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2020Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11343217

Vehicle speed control

3 reports1 crash
“UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHILE PULLING STRAIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT. VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 1 MPH WITH FOOT GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKE WHILE COMING TO A STOP. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT WHAT APPEARS TO BE FULL THROTTLE. CAR JUMPED OVER CONCRETE PARKING CURB AND RESTED ON TOP OF THE CONCRETE CURB, COMING TO A HALT. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 12, 2020.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2020Vehicle speed controlODI 11366111
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

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