2012 Lexus ES structure problems
This is a safety-related system. If you notice symptoms, stop driving and have it inspected.
What owners report
“Driving down the interstate and out of the blue my sunroof exploded. It sounded like a gunshot and I was driving 80mph. I almost ran into another driver due to glass falling on me.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 01/21/2025
“The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while sitting in the sun, the dashboard melted causing a glare in the windshield. The contact called the dealer and was advised to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact there were no open recalls associated with the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 04/16/2024
“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 VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 03/15/2019
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE MELTING AND STICKY. THERE WAS NO CUSHION PROTECTION ON THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE 2012 LEXUS ES350 WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT, WHICH ENDED IN MAY OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 07/26/2018 · fire
“ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD NEXT TO TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCH, DASHBOARD VINYL IS MELTING, IT HAS BUBBLE AND ONE BUBBLE WAS BROKEN TO MAKE A HOLE. I NOTICED IT ON APRIL 1, 2014. WHEN I CHANGED THE CABIN AIR FILTER ON MARCH,31 IN GLOVE COMPARTMENT, I DIDN'T SEE IT. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO NEW COUNTRY LEXUS AND DESCRIBED THE ISSUE HOPING THAT THEIR TECHNICIAN MAY SEE ISSUE WITH TEMPERATURE CONTROL RESISTANCE MAY CAUSING WIRING TO HEAT THAT IS CAUSING VINYL TO MELT. BUT THEY DIDN'T SEE IT THAT WAY…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 04/02/2014
Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.
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- How common are 2012 Lexus ES structure problems?
- 5 owners reported structure issues to NHTSA for the 2012 Lexus ES and 1 a fire. Counts scale with how many were sold.
- Is there a recall for 2012 Lexus ES structure problems?
- No matching recall is on file. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest.