2012 Lexus IS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Lexus IS has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst among 21 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other IS years. Airbags are the top problem area, making up 44% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 23,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 IS years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 18
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2012 Lexus IS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags8 (44%)
- Structure & Body4 (22%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (22%)
- Brakes3 (17%)
- Engine3 (17%)
- Other3 (17%)
- Fuel System2 (11%)
- Electrical System1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during crash impacts, including a rear-end collision and a frontal crash into another vehicle.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration where the gas pedal jammed down, leading to a loss of control.
- Brakes made a creaking or grinding noise when applied or released, described as a known but unaddressed issue.
- The dashboard and door panels turned sticky and began peeling, with the dash surface also creating glare that impaired visibility while driving.
- The vehicle reportedly lost power at highway speed with warning lights illuminating and the engine failing to restart immediately, tied to fuel system trouble.
- Some owners reported delays getting Takata airbag inflator recall parts, with dealers unable to give a repair timeline.
2012 Lexus IS recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2012 Lexus IS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other IS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Lexus IS reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks it 6th worst out of 21 IS model years with a complaint index of 75, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other IS years. Airbags are the leading complaint area at 44% of reports.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Lexus IS?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 8 of 18 complaints (44%), with a median failure mileage of 23,000. Two of those complaints involved crashes.
- Does the 2012 Lexus IS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls specifically logged for the 2012 IS in this dataset, though some owner complaints reference a Takata airbag inflator recall with parts delays.
- How does the 2012 IS compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 75 is lower than 2006-2010 (index 80-100, all rated Avoid) but higher than 2011 and 2013 (index 60 and 70, rated Caution) and much higher than 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2023, which earn Good verdicts.