Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Lexus ES350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driver side knee airbag caused hematoma, second degree burn on l. Leg, resulting in 2 surgeries, use of wound vac for 2 1/2 months, and permanent lympedema and scarring on l. Calf. Driver has replaced knees that are at high risk if further crash and knee bag deploys again. Driver needs on-off switch installed for driver knee airbag. Driver was not at fault in this accident and wants knee airbags removed or an on-off switch installed. The airbag on steering wheel deployed correctly and caused no damage. The knee airbag is a danger to driver.
Takata recall original recall date sept 2017, per Lexus dealer not available possible December 2017. NHTSA indicates "timely manner", this has been in effect since early[jan-feb 2017]...what does NHTSA define as a timely manner [my opinion a year is not a timely manner especially when dealer states in a letter...until the remedy becomes available, we recommend that you do not operate the vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat. We sincerely apologize.....etc" no accident has occurred to date.
Takata recall - I got notice that my cars airbags could potentially explode and metal debris can go through the airbag which can cause serious injury or death. I would like the airbags to v e replaced and the problem remedied so I can feel safe driving my car.
Takata recall the recall was issued on January 9, 2017 and we recently received a letter from Lexus with no date on it advising that there is a problem with the passenger air bag. There is also a box in the letter where it states: "until the remedy becomes available, we recommend that you do not operate the vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat". It also states in the letter that Lexus "is currently preparing to remedy the problem", with no date on the letter or a remedy date. With the warning in place not to use the passenger seat, we no longer have enough seating with seat belts to accommodate our family and have had to resort to renting a vehicle. I believe that Lexus and Toyota have had enough time to remedy this problem. What can we do? Thanks, [redacted] '
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V006000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer Lexus of sacramento located at 2600 fulton ave, sacramento, ca 95821 was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The contact was put on the waiting list by the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone], but could not speak to anyone, the contact only heard recorded messages. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The consumer stated the complaint was resolved. The vehicle was repaired.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V006000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacture exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealers (reinhardt Lexus, 911 eastern blvd, montgomery, al 36117 [phone] and tuscaloosa Toyota, 3325 skyland blvd e, tuscaloosa, al 35405 [phone]) were contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V006000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (parker Lexus, 1 shackleford w blvd, little rock, ar 72211) did not give a specific date for when the part would become available so the contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the contacts vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V006000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time the recall repair. The Lexus dealer (hennessy Lexus of atlanta, 5955 peachtree industrial blvd, atlanta, ga 30341, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V006000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called wilde Lexus sarasota [phone] located at 4821 sarasota clark rd, fl 34233) where it was confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 10/26/17 updated 10/30/2017
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V006000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted at: hennessy Lexus of atlanta located in atlanta, ga, [phone], and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of…
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other ES350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Lexus ES350?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Lexus ES350, 87% of the model year's 89 complaints. The component named most often is knee bolster (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Lexus ES350 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-741 (inflator module, Oct 17, 2019); NHTSA recall 19V-005 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2019); NHTSA recall 17V-006 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Lexus ES350 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.