2012 Lexus ES Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Lexus ES carries a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags account for 61% of its 31 complaints, tied to 5 crashes and 1 fire, with a median failure mileage of 51,500.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 ES years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 31
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2012 Lexus ES problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags19 (61%)
- Electrical System5 (16%)
- Other4 (13%)
- Structure & Body4 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (10%)
- Engine1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and side-impact crashes, including one collision at roughly 45 mph where front airbags did not activate.
- Deployed airbags injured occupants directly, with one report describing four airbags deploying during low-speed parking and another describing a plastic shroud cutting a passenger's leg.
- Even after Takata airbag replacement, one owner reported airbags failed to deploy in a subsequent crash.
- Electrical problems included a horn that stopped working due to a faulty steering wheel clock spring and all four doors failing to lock via key fob or switches.
- The dashboard reportedly melted or became sticky and reflective, creating glare that owners said made it hard to see through the windshield.
- One owner described a sudden unintended acceleration event while parking at low speed.
2012 Lexus ES recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2012 compared with other ES years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Lexus ES reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2012 ES ranks 5th worst among 21 model years for the ES, with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict driven mainly by airbag complaints.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Lexus ES?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 61% of the 31 complaints filed, linked to 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 8 injuries, with a median failure mileage of 51,500.
- Does the 2012 Lexus ES have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2012 ES in this dataset, though several sample complaints reference Takata airbag replacement issues.
- How does the 2012 ES compare to other Lexus ES years?
- The 2012 ES's complaint index of 80 is worse than most other years; 2007 (index 100) and 2005 (index 85) rank worse, while years like 2018 and 2022 earned Best verdicts with much lower indexes.