Most common 2012 Lexus RX problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus RX complaints by model year
Best RX years: 2012, 2013, 2014. Years to avoid: 2023, 2024, 2021, 2022, 2025. Compare all years →
What 2012 Lexus RX owners say
Engine & cooling
October 20, '23 Our recent DEAD STOP! Whistle blower! Did you know that when the alternator goes out on a Lexus, that the car draws down energy from the battery to keep the car going? That's only for about a mile or so, then the car shuts down! You can't steer and THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING and you have no power as you come to a dead stop, whether on the freeway, or one lane mountain pass road, where we would have been later. What would we have done? Scary! Luckily, our Lexus stalled on a city street nearing our on-ramp to the freeway. (needing to be towed.) Lexus has a serious engineering-defective-design-flaw that probably is responsible for accidents. Thanks, [redacted] . Pass it on please!
Alternator completely shut down on Sunday,[redacted]. Battery warning light came on out of the blue on Sat, [redacted] at 8:45 PM in Independence, MO in front of Walmart on [redacted], had to go autozone on [redacted] in [redacted]. Test came back showing Alternator failure. Now power steering is gone and prob battery too. All interior electric systems shut down also. Headlight bulbs became affected within 1 month of purchase from dealership on [redacted]. Replacement bulbs for dims done last week.
Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2012 Lexus RX350. The contact purchased the vehicle, and it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 127,832. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 257,193.
My car powers off while driving and then cuts back home within a second. It also has electrical issues the lights so flash during the night when you're driving and then the front and shakes so bad that it shakes you just about off the road when you hit the brakes
2012 Lexus RX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 31 / 28 / 29 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid | CVT | AWD | 29 / 27 / 28 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Lexus RX a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 RX rates better than average: 85% fewer complaints than a typical year of the RX at the same age. It is one of the best RX years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Lexus RX?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (3) and brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus RX have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 Lexus RX. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus RX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2024, 2021, 2022 and 2025. See the full Lexus RX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Lexus RX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 257,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.