NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 48 owner complaints for the 2012 Lexus RX (including the hybrid).
Recalled components: brakes. Most-described problem: unintended acceleration or surging (7 complaints, 15%). Most-reported area: speed control (11 complaints, 23%).
Fewer complaints than a typical RX year
The 2012 drew 15 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 32 for a typical RX year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
Years to avoid: 2010; best years: 2018, 2021, and 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2012 Lexus RX.
What owners report
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 RX. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Lexus RX recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2012 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2010 RX drew the most (82) and the 2012 drew 15.
Owner complaints
2012: 48 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Lexus RX
Model year
Complaints
2010
192
2011
72
2012
48
2013
90
2014
30
2015
67
2016
93
2017
103
2018
47
2019
68
2020
55
2021
71
2022
39
2023
67
2024
58
2025
22
2026
9
Safety recalls
2012: 1 recallTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Lexus RX
Model year
Recalls
2010
1
2011
1
2012
1
2013
1
2014
0
2015
1
2016
3
2017
3
2018
2
2019
4
2020
2
2021
2
2022
0
2023
4
2024
4
2025
4
2026
3
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Lexus RX, the problems described most are unintended acceleration or surging (7) and stalling or shutting off (5). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2012 Lexus RX safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2012 Lexus RX earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2012 Lexus RX?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2012 Lexus RX.
How do I check if my RX has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Lexus dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: RX, RX HYBRID, RX350.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.