Does the 2012 Lexus ES have recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Lexus ES, including Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module; Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module; Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common 2012 Lexus ES problems?

Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are air bags (95), electrical system (7), structure (5), visibility/wiper (3).

How much does a 2012 Lexus ES cost to own for 5 years?

About $52,626 over 5 years ($877/month) at an estimated $14,250 purchase price and 12,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.

2012 Lexus ES

The 2012 Lexus ES earns a weak Throttlebook Ownership Score of 48/100. Expect about $52,626 to own it for five years, or $877 a month. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 116 complaints.

Recalls: 3
Complaints: 116
5-yr cost: $53k
MPG (EPA): 22

Weak

Ownership Score

Looking at a specific ES?

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3 recalls may apply

For the 2012 Lexus ES. NHTSA matches recalls by model and year — confirm by VIN.

What's wrong: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Check recalls for this exact VIN at NHTSA

Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

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5-year cost to own

Estimated $14,250 price, 20% down, 11.19% APR for 60 months (Experian avg.), 12,000 mi/yr.

$52,626

$877/month · $0.88/mile

Depreciation	$2,325
Insurance (national avg.)	$16,200
Fuel / charging	$9,135
Maintenance	$12,000
Repairs	$7,200
Loan interest	$3,911
Taxes & fees	$1,855

Estimate, not financial advice. How we calculate.

Owner complaints & safety

What real owners reported to NHTSA for this model year.

116 complaints7 involved a crash3 involved a fire

Air Bags95
Electrical System7
Structure5
Unknown Or Other3
Visibility/Wiper3
Latches/Locks/Linkages3

Complaint counts scale with how many were sold; compare against similar models.

NHTSA crash-test stars

Overall: Not rated
Frontal: Not rated
Side: Not rated
Rollover: Not rated

What to check on a used 2012 Lexus ES

Ordered by what owners of this model year reported most. Reports are not proof of a defect.

Airbags
- The airbag light should come on at start-up and then go out.
- Ask for proof that any airbag recalls were completed.
Electrical and lights
- Test every window, lock, light and wiper.
- Watch for warning lights that stay on after start-up.
Body and structure
- Look for uneven gaps, mismatched paint or rust underneath.
- Check that every door, the hood and the trunk latch properly.

If anything in a safety area feels wrong (brakes, steering, airbags, tires), stop driving and get it inspected before you buy or drive it further. Paste a VIN above for the full printable checklist.

Common 2012 Lexus ES problems

Cheaper alternatives

FAQ

Is the 2012 Lexus ES a good car to buy?: The 2012 Lexus ES earns a weak Throttlebook Ownership Score of 48/100. Expect about $52,626 to own it for five years, or $877 a month. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 116 complaints.
Does the 2012 Lexus ES have recalls?: NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Lexus ES, including Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module; Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module; Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common 2012 Lexus ES problems?: Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are air bags (95), electrical system (7), structure (5), visibility/wiper (3).
How much does a 2012 Lexus ES cost to own for 5 years?: About $52,626 over 5 years ($877/month) at an estimated $14,250 purchase price and 12,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.

Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP ratings; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data refreshed weekly. Complaint counts scale with sales volume.