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2012 Lexus Es

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

Structure complaints

4 reports
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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 · 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

29,500 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Electrical SystemStructure

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 ISSU…

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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, INSTEAD THEY ARE SAYING THAT I MIGHT HAVE DROPPED A CHEMICAL ON IT, I SWORE TO THEM I DIDN'T USE ANY CHEMICAL AND I DON'T HAVE ANY PASSENGER EXCEPT MY WIFE. I DON'T WANT TO FIX THE VINYL UNTIL I FIX WHAT CAUSED IT. BUT, UNFORTUNATELY LEXUS DEALERSHIPS TRAINED TECHNICIAN DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING CAUSING IT FROM THE INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. BY TAKING SECOND OPINION FROM OUTSIDE REPAIR SHOP, HE MENTIONED THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL RESISTANCE MAY BE HEATING UP THE WIRE THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE VINYL TO MELT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A REAL ISSUE AND IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH LEXUS CORPORATE AND A CASE MANAGE PROMISED TO CALL ME BY APRIL 4, 2014. UPDATED 04/17/14

NHTSA ODI #10576878

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.