Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2012 Lexus GX460Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2012 Lexus GX460. Most complaints involve air bags (9) and engine (1). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
11
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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 Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2012 – Oct 2023
  1. Air bags9
  2. Engine1
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  4. Service brakes1
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1

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

By model year

Complaints for each GX460 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201038
201136
201211
20137
201421
201511
20169
201715
20189
20198
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

9 reports
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS GX460. 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 WINTER PARK, 305 N SEMORAN BLVD, WINTER PARK, FL 32792, (407) 678-2000) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASONABLE DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2018Air bagsODI 11065819

Engine

1 report
“DURING INSPECTION, TECHNICIAN NOTED COOLANT RESERVOIR VERY LOW. TECHNICIAN TRACED COOLANT LEAK TO VALLEY SEAL. RECOMMEND TO REPLACE NOTICED BEFORE PERFORMING COOLANT REPLACEMENT FOUND THE RESERVOIR WAS NEAR EMPTY INDICATING A LEAK IN THE SYSTEM. INSPECTED RADIATOR ASSEMBLY AND FOUND NO OBVIOUS LEAKS. INSPECTED COOLANT VALLEY FROM UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND LARGE AMOUNTS OF DRY COOLANT AROUND THE TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSING. THIS CONFIRMS THE COOLANT VALLEY IS INDEED LEAKING AND WILL NEED TO BE RESEALED. RESEAL COOLANT VALLEY AND REPLACE SEALS/GASKETS NECESSARY. Driver comment: This is a known issue with Toyota/Lexus V8 engines. Toyota/Lexus needs to take ownership (recall) and fix the worn out seals without charge.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2023EngineODI 11552300

Electronic stability control (esc)

1 report
“A BUZZY/ SQUEEZE NOISE HEARD WHEN APPLY BRAKE PEDAL ELEC. STABILITY CONTROL IS HARD TO USE PROPULSION MAKES UP A LARGE NOISE WHEN START ENGINE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2012Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10484650
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
GX 460
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
152017$4,700523
  • GX 460
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Lexus GX460 as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 6262
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 GX460 questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus GX460 have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Lexus GX460 problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (9), engine (1), electronic stability control (esc) (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Lexus GX460 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Lexus GX460 at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026