2012 Lexus ES350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Lexus ES350 has 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (84% of all complaints), specifically: "takata recall" we just bought a lexus350es in september 2016, and were not aware of the takata recall until we received a recall letter on 2/17/17. the letter stated that "lexus is currently preparing the remedy for this problem and will send another notification to all affected owners when the . ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 5 crash reports 5 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

79 complaints

84%

• "TAKATA RECALL" WE JUST BOUGHT A LEXUS350ES IN SEPTEMBER 2016, AND WERE NOT AWARE OF THE TAKATA RECALL UNTIL WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 2/17/17. THE LETTER STATED THAT "LEXUS IS CURRENTLY PREPARING THE REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL SEND ANOTHER NOTIFICATION TO ALL AFFECTED OWNERS WHEN THE
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUF
• TAKATA RECALL- YOUR DATABASE IS NOT UP TO DATE; I RECIEVED A RECALL LETTER FROM LEXUS AT BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK. I AM TRYING TO GET A RENTAL WHILE WE WAIT (MONTHS? YEARS? ) FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE (AS THE LETTER STATES, DOES NOT SAY THE DRIVERS SIDE)- WHAY IS THE BEST MAKE MODEL ETC FOR US TO GET? WE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“"TAKATA RECALL" WE JUST BOUGHT A LEXUS350ES IN SEPTEMBER 2016, AND WERE NOT AWARE OF THE TAKATA RECALL UNTIL WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 2/17/17. THE LETTER STATED THAT "LEXUS IS CURRENTLY PREPARING THE REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL SEND ANOTHER NOTIFICATION TO ALL AFFECTED OWNERS WHEN THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DOORS/LATCHES

3 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LEXUS OF CLEARWATER (27547 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, (727) 231-1443) DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE V
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AW
• The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the key was detected, and trunk open warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the doors would lock and unlock independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the tr

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LEXUS OF CLEARWATER (27547 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, (727) 231-1443) DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE V”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UNUSUALLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A RESTRAINING WALL. THE CONT
• WAS MOVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC HEADING TOWARD AN INTERSECTION (AROUND 15 MILES PER HOUR). WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE WHEN TWO CARS IN FRONT OF ME WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, MY CAR ZOOMED TO AROUND 60 MILES PER HOUR (FELT LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WENT LIMP). I PUMPED THE POWER BRAKES AND THEY WOULD

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UNUSUALLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A RESTRAINING WALL. THE CONT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

2 complaints

• THE SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR WAS BROKEN IN THE CENTER REAR SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. WHEN YOU PULLED THE SHOULDER BELT OUT ALL THE WAY, AND THEN LET IT BACK IN SLOWLY, THE ALR DID NOT ENGAGE. THE BELT REMAINED IN ELR MODE THROUGHOUT - AS SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GKKQVRSRF8Q THE I
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THE PERSON DRIVING SAW SMOKE STARTING TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, AFTER THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A SMALL BURN HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE MANUFACTU

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“THE SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR WAS BROKEN IN THE CENTER REAR SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. WHEN YOU PULLED THE SHOULDER BELT OUT ALL THE WAY, AND THEN LET IT BACK IN SLOWLY, THE ALR DID NOT ENGAGE. THE BELT REMAINED IN ELR MODE THROUGHOUT - AS SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GKKQVRSRF8Q THE I”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

2 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THE PERSON DRIVING SAW SMOKE STARTING TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, AFTER THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A SMALL BURN HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE MANUFACTU
• The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the key was detected, and trunk open warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the doors would lock and unlock independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the tr

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THE PERSON DRIVING SAW SMOKE STARTING TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, AFTER THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A SMALL BURN HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE MANUFACTU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

DOORS/LATCHES(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 94 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: "TAKATA RECALL" WE JUST BOUGHT A LEXUS350ES IN SEPTEMBER 2016, AND WERE NOT AWARE OF THE TAKATA RECALL UNTIL WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 2/17/17. THE LETTER STATED THAT "LEXUS IS CURRENTLY PREPARING THE REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL SEND ANOTHER NOTIFICATION TO ALL AFFECTED OWNERS WHEN THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DOORS/LATCHES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LEXUS OF CLEARWATER (27547 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, (727) 231-1443) DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE V
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UNUSUALLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A RESTRAINING WALL. THE CONT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: THE SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR WAS BROKEN IN THE CENTER REAR SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. WHEN YOU PULLED THE SHOULDER BELT OUT ALL THE WAY, AND THEN LET IT BACK IN SLOWLY, THE ALR DID NOT ENGAGE. THE BELT REMAINED IN ELR MODE THROUGHOUT - AS SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GKKQVRSRF8Q THE I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)