Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 31 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
31 reports
82,000 miles · Jul 23, 2026
Air BagsCrashInjury
The contact owned a 2012 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front, resulting in a three-vehicle crash. The impact caused the hood to unlatch, and the hood flew up. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's gran…
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The contact owned a 2012 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front, resulting in a three-vehicle crash. The impact caused the hood to unlatch, and the hood flew up. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's grandson was a passenger in a rear-facing car seat, and the contact was unable to determine whether the child had sustained any injuries. The contact suffered a sore neck and body, and medical attention was received. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and declared a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and requested that the vehicle be retrieved to access the Event Data Recorder (EDR). The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #11752348
65,000 miles · Jul 2, 2026
Structure
The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the reflection from the melted dashboard reflected onto the windshield. In addition, the contact’s vision was impaired while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle w…
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The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the reflection from the melted dashboard reflected onto the windshield. In addition, the contact’s vision was impaired while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #11747902
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2026
Unknown Or Other
Incident Description: The instrument panel (dashboard) and interior trim panels of my 2012 Lexus ES 350 have suffered a complete material failure, transforming from a solid surface into a viscous, melting adhesive. This is a known manufacturing defect documented under Lexus Customer Support Program ZLZ. This failure creates a cr…
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Incident Description: The instrument panel (dashboard) and interior trim panels of my 2012 Lexus ES 350 have suffered a complete material failure, transforming from a solid surface into a viscous, melting adhesive. This is a known manufacturing defect documented under Lexus Customer Support Program ZLZ. This failure creates a critical safety risk because the degraded surface has become highly reflective, producing a blinding glare on the windshield that severely obstructs my visibility while driving. Furthermore, the material has liquefied directly over the passenger-side airbag deployment zone; I am concerned this sticky residue will interfere with the deployment timing or cause adhesive-coated debris to be projected at occupants during a collision. There were no electronic warning lamps prior to this structural failure; the symptoms began as a slight tackiness that rapidly accelerated into a melting state where the surface now attracts debris and cannot be cleaned. This condition was confirmed by [Insert Dealer Name] during an inspection, where service technicians acknowledged the symptoms were consistent with the ZLZ campaign. However, Lexus has refused to assist with the repair, citing an expired secondary coverage window. I believe a known manufacturing defect that compromises driver visibility and airbag integrity constitutes a safety hazard that must be addressed regardless of the vehicle's age. The vehicle and the defective components remain available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA ODI #11721695
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2025
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE A 2012 LEXUS ES350 PURCHASED USED FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE MELTING DASHBOARD ISSUE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD IN SUNLIGHT THAT OBSCURES MY VIEW. THE LEXUS DEALER AND LEXUS CORPORATE SAY…
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I HAVE A 2012 LEXUS ES350 PURCHASED USED FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE MELTING DASHBOARD ISSUE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD IN SUNLIGHT THAT OBSCURES MY VIEW. THE LEXUS DEALER AND LEXUS CORPORATE SAY IT'S TOO BAD BECAUSE THE CASE IS CLOSED BUT I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION. THEY SAID RECALL NOTIFICATION PROBABLY WENT TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER. HOW IS THIS A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION? THE CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11691121
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2025
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiperInjury
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 ODI #11637350
130,000 miles · Apr 16, 2024
Structure
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…
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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 ODI #11583409
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2024
Visibility/wiper
The dashboard is melting causing a glare that’s hard to see through on the windshield. I found a self service from Lexus that they recalled it themselves but it isn’t official thought the government. [XXX] ). I called Lexus and they said I had to call corporate, so I did. They still wouldn’t help me as it isn’t an official reca…
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The dashboard is melting causing a glare that’s hard to see through on the windshield. I found a self service from Lexus that they recalled it themselves but it isn’t official thought the government. [XXX] ). I called Lexus and they said I had to call corporate, so I did. They still wouldn’t help me as it isn’t an official recall even though they extended the program to 2026. This is a major saftey concern. I could eventually hit someone because of the glare. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11583403
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2022
Visibility/wiper
Sticky dash board, tryed to clean it and it becomes shinny and reflects sunlight
NHTSA ODI #11493290
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2022
Air BagsCrashInjury
Airbag recall was replaced 8/02/2022. Car accident occurred 8/03/2022. Airbags did not deploy.
NHTSA ODI #11478255
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2021
Unknown Or Other
Sales rep. Stated that the dash boards is very sticky
NHTSA ODI #11417602
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2012 Lexus Es Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year