The Lemon Index
201120134th generation (XF40)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 8,344 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Lexus ES 132012 BMW 5 Series 602012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 22
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Lexus sent dealers 257 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Sport package (brembo) brake squeal”?
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 2 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 →
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 257 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Sport package (brembo) brake squeal
- Some 2007 2015 model year 2wd ls 460 standard (non f-sport, non awd) and ls 460l vehicles may…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus LS460 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus LS460 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus LS460l 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Lexus LS460l 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Every Lexus LS 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.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-ls/?y=2012" title="Lexus LS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" 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-ls/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Lexus LS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Lexus LS reliable?
We can't score it: only 8,344 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Lexus LS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (50%), stability control (50%) and steering (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus LS have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Lexus LS get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Lexus LS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Lexus LS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Lexus LS have?
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Lexus LS year is better than the 2012?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2007 drew the fewest (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
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