The Lemon Index
2011
20142nd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: speed control
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 BMW 3 Series 242012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 192012 Cadillac CTS 47
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V741000 (airbags), 19V005000 (airbags) and 17V006000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Lexus sent dealers 258 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Brake system warning light on, master cylinder reservoir fluid level is low”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lexus's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 5 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
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.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 14K to 22K miles (23K to 37K km) on the car (5 of all 5 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I want to report that I experienced un-intended acceleration on my Lexus is 250c, 2012 model purchased in december 2011 as a result of which my vehicle crashed and went turtle.
2012 Lexus IS owner · NHTSA complaint 10760099
More owner reports
When braking, or slowing braking and letting go, weird creaking noise is made. Lexus is aware of these issues but will do nothing to help even when car was still under warranty.
NHTSA complaint 10693726
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 258 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Brake system warning light on, master cylinder reservoir fluid level is low
- TechTip: Some models are equipped with front and rear wheels of different offsets or width
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 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 · recall issued 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 4 recalls
- Wipers & visibility · recall issued 2013
The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus IS F 4DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus IS250 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Lexus IS250 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Every Lexus IS year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-is/?y=2012" title="Lexus IS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lexus-is/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Lexus IS reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a fifth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 16; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2012 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (80%), brakes (60%) and airbags (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus IS have?
4 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 IS get?
18 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Lexus IS have?
2.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Lexus IS year than the 2012?
Not nearby: the 2012 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Lexus IS years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works