2012 Lexus IS Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other IS years
- Far more complaints than other years 6th of 27 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lexus IS. That ranks 6th out of 27 IS model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (8 complaints, 44%), typically at around 23,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
- 18owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2012 Lexus IS problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 8 | 44% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 22% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 22% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 17% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 11% | 118,065 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 11% | 11,512 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 11% | 18,750 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 Lexus IS recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 2012 Lexus IS.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The dashboard (instrument panel) on this 2012 Lexus IS 250 has degraded and deteriorated, developing a shiny, reflective surface. In daylight and bright conditions, this degraded surface reflects onto the windshield and produces a significant glare that obstructs the driver's view of the road. The…
2012 Lexus IS 250 Complaint Category: Interior/Seat Belts/Air Bags â Interior Component: Interior Moldings/Trim/Panels Narrative This is a safety issue. The dashboard on my 2012 Lexus IS 250 has developed significant cracking and is actively decomposing into a gelatin-like texture, despite the…
The dashboard on my 2012 Lexus IS 250 has developed significant cracking across the surface despite the vehicle being garage-kept, low mileage, and well-maintained throughout my ownership. The cracking is not the result of any accident, impact, or misuse â it appeared spontaneously and has…
The dashboard is sticky/melting causing it to be extremely shiny. It is available for inspection upon request. Due to the shininess of the dashboard, it causes a glare on the windshield during the daytime. This glare causes difficulty with being able to safely see through the windshield.
I own a Lexus 2012 IS250 and currently active duty member stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy. I was not notified that my vehicle is overdue on a safety recall until today when I am trying to ship the vehicle back to the US. What further actions can I do to get the recall done? Can I get the…
Other Lexus IS years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 IS | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 IS | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 IS | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 IS | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 IS | 4 | 1 |
| 2021 IS | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 IS | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 IS | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 IS | 3 | 0 |
| 2017 IS | 11 | 0 |
| 2016 IS | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 IS | 9 | 0 |
| 2014 IS | 12 | 0 |
| 2013 IS | 9 | 0 |
| 2012 | 18 | 0 |
| 2011 IS | 15 | 0 |
| 2010 IS | 40 | 1 |
| 2009 IS | 40 | 2 |
| 2008 IS | 102 | 3 |
| 2007 IS | 122 | 3 |
| 2006 IS | 143 | 7 |
| 2005 IS | 12 | 0 |
| 2004 IS | 10 | 0 |
| 2003 IS | 12 | 0 |
| 2002 IS | 12 | 0 |
| 2001 IS | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 IS | 1 | 0 |
See all Lexus IS problems by year, every Lexus model, or the Lexus VIN decoder.
Similar Lexus models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Lexus IS?
Owners most often report air bags, structure, visibility/wiper problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 8 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Lexus IS?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 2012 Lexus IS a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other IS model years, the 2012 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.