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Research · Midsize Cars

2012 Lexus LS460Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2012 Lexus LS460. Most complaints involve air bags (3) and service brakes (2). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
8
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Lexus LS460 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

8 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2014 – May 2025
  1. Air bags3
  2. Service brakes2
  3. Electrical system1
  4. Structure1
  5. Steering1
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  7. Other / unknown1

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 LS460 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201113
20128
20139
20148
20154
20166
20172
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

3 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11485175

Service brakes

2 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2019Service brakesODI 11288166

Electrical system

1 report
“unknown”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2025Electrical systemODI 11661789
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-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 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LS 460
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050468
LS 460 AWD
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300494
  • LS 460
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • LS 460 AWD
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Lexus LS460 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 6541Vehicle 6250
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 LS460 questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus LS460 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 7, 2026.

What are the most common 2012 Lexus LS460 problems?

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (3), service brakes (2), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Lexus LS460 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Lexus LS460 at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026