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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Lexus RX350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 45 owner complaints for the 2012 Lexus RX350. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (11) and engine (7). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2014
Owner complaints
45
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Feb 12, 2014NHTSA 14V054000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

45 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2011 – Sep 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control11
  2. Engine7
  3. Electrical system7
  4. Service brakes6
  5. Air bags5
  6. Power train5
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  8. Structure3
  9. Steering2

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 RX350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007225
2008196
2009131
2010171
201154
201245
201378
201427
201562
201686
201794
201844
201965
20230
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

11 reports7 crashes
“October 20, '23 Our recent DEAD STOP! Whistle blower! Did you know that when the alternator goes out on a Lexus, that the car draws down energy from the battery to keep the car going? That's only for about a mile or so, then the car shuts down! You can't steer and THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING and you have no power as you come to a dead stop, whether on the freeway, or one lane mountain pass road, where we would have been later. What would we have done? Scary! Luckily, our Lexus stalled on a city street nearing our on-ramp to the freeway. (needing to be towed.) Lexus has a serious engineering-defective-design-flaw that probably is responsible for accidents. Thanks, [XXX] . Pass it on please!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2023Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11551111

Engine

7 reports1 crash1 fire
“Alternator completely shut down on Sunday,XXX. Battery warning light came on out of the blue on Sat, XXX at 8:45 PM in Independence, MO in front of Walmart on [XXX], had to go autozone on [XXX] in [XXX]. Test came back showing Alternator failure. Now power steering is gone and prob battery too. All interior electric systems shut down also. Headlight bulbs became affected within 1 month of purchase from dealership on XXX. Replacement bulbs for dims done last week.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Steering, EngineODI 11764212

Electrical system

7 reports2 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus RX350. The contact purchased the vehicle, and it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 127,832. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 257,193.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2026Electrical systemODI 11708430
All 2012 RX350 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RX 350
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
RX 350 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
  • RX 350
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • RX 350 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Lexus RX350 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Lexus RX350 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 6606Vehicle 6259
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 RX350 questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus RX350 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 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 RX350 problems?

Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (11), engine (7), electrical system (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Lexus RX350 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Lexus RX350 at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Lexus RX350?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Lexus RX350 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026