Problems · by component

2012 Lexus ES350 air bags problems

95 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Lexus ES350 cite air bags, 82% of all 116 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
95
82% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“LIGHT CAN ON AND OFF 12/20/2019 WHEN I WAS DRIVING, I PULL INTO PARKING LOT AND CUT OFF ENGINE...WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED CAR BACK UP IT WENT AWAY, THE NEXT DAY 12/21/2019 WHEN I STARTED UP MY CAR IT CAME ON WHILE STILL PARK AND STAY ON, NOT A GOOD FEELING .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2019Air bagsODI 11290583
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LEXUS DEALER (HENNESSY LEXUS OF ATLANTA, 5955 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341, 770-457-6800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2018Air bagsODI 11105114
“DRIVER SIDE KNEE AIRBAG CAUSED HEMATOMA, SECOND DEGREE BURN ON L. LEG, RESULTING IN 2 SURGERIES, USE OF WOUND VAC FOR 2 1/2 MONTHS, AND PERMANENT LYMPEDEMA AND SCARRING ON L. CALF. DRIVER HAS REPLACED KNEES THAT ARE AT HIGH RISK IF FURTHER CRASH AND KNEE BAG DEPLOYS AGAIN. DRIVER NEEDS ON-OFF SWITCH INSTALLED FOR DRIVER KNEE AIRBAG. DRIVER WAS NOT AT FAULT IN THIS ACCIDENT AND WANTS KNEE AIRBAGS REMOVED OR AN ON-OFF SWITCH INSTALLED. THE AIRBAG ON STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED CORRECTLY AND CAUSED NO DAMAGE. THE KNEE AIRBAG IS A DANGER TO DRIVER.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2018Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11084148
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. (NALLEY LEXUS ROSWELL LOCATED 980 MANSELL RD, ROSWELL, GA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2018Air bagsODI 11081527
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LEXUS OF CHATTANOOGA, 5800 LEE HWY, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421, (423) 499-9095) WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2018Air bagsODI 11067012

Showing 6 of 95 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

3 recalls on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V005000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2017NHTSA 17V006000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026

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