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All cars · Lexus ES

2012 Lexus ES.

The 2012 Lexus ES is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 8 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 13, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 22 mpg combined. The best Lexus ES year is 2020.

13Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 7.7× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2020 · Worst year 2007

Lexus ES
Photo shows a 2019 Lexus ES. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemElectrical38% of owner complaintsRecalls3Free fix at any dealerBetter year to buy20208.3× fewer complaints than averageGovernment investigation1 openOwners reported enough to trigger one
Owner complaints8first 3 years
Fuel economy22 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★☆☆NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 120 owner complaints, owners reported:

8crashes
9injuries
3fires
3tows
Under government investigation226 repair notes from Lexus

Every Lexus ES year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.

2000591.7× fewer complaints2001–few complaints20021371.4× the complaints20031251.2× the complaints20041391.4× the complaints20051631.6× the complaints2006–few complaints20072672.7× the complaints2008861.2× fewer complaints200999about average2010382.6× fewer complaints2011234.3× fewer complaints2012137.7× fewer complaints2013263.8× fewer complaints2014244.2× fewer complaints2015214.8× fewer complaints2016303.3× fewer complaints2017323.1× fewer complaints2018185.6× fewer complaints2019502× fewer complaints2020128.3× fewer complaints2021462.2× fewer complaints2022214.8× fewer complaints2023–few complaints2024–few complaints2025–few complaints

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

electrical38%
speed control25%
brakes12%
body structure12%
seat belts12%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Lexus ES year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 53K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 26K to 78K miles on the car (28 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 3

  • airbags 2019

    These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.

  • airbags 2019

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • airbags 2017

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Lexus told dealers about

Lexus sent dealers 226 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • While a vehicle is in inventory, the battery is subject to conditions that can reduce its…
  • While a vehicle is in inventory, the battery is subject to conditions that can reduce its…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered
NHTSA front crash test of the 2012 Lexus ES
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Lexus ES350 4 DR FWD★★★☆☆★★★★☆★★☆☆☆★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.

Quick answers

Is the 2012 Lexus ES reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 7.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 13; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus ES year by this measure is 2020.

What are the most common 2012 Lexus ES problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (38%), speed control (25%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus ES have?

3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Lexus ES get?

22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2012 Lexus ES safe?

NHTSA gave it 3 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

At what mileage do 2012 Lexus ES problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 26,100 and 78,000 miles. The middle report was at 53,500 miles, from 28 complaints.

Does the 2012 Lexus ES have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2012 Lexus ES cost in fuel a year?

About $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2012 Lexus ES have?

3.5L 6-cyl.

What Lexus ES year is better than the 2012?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2012 and 2018.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data