Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2012 Lexus LS: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 2012 Lexus LS. Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (0)

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 2012 Lexus LS. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (5)

5 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

2involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Lexus LS, by component (top 5). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 5.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other LS years

Best and worst LS years →
43 13 8 9 5 5 3 3 5 14
2008200920102011201220132014201520162018
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined

20
mpg combined
19
city
23
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,100
CO₂ tailpipe
444 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$3,266per year
$272per month
750gallons a year

Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2012 Lexus LS configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
5 L 8-cyl · AV-S8 CVTAll-Wheel Drive19 / 23 / 20$4,100444
4.6 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19$4,350468
4.6 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18$4,550494

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 LS for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All LS years

Where to next

2012 Lexus LS FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Lexus LS have?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Lexus LS. Check a specific car with NHTSA's VIN lookup, which also covers newly announced recalls.

What are the most common 2012 Lexus LS problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (2), Electrical system (1), Service brakes (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2012 Lexus LS get?

EPA rates the 5 L 8-cyl · AV-S8 CVT version at 19 city, 23 highway and 20 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2012 LS compare with other years?

Among the 2008–2018 Lexus LS model years at least five years old, the 2014 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2008 the most (43). The 2012 drew 5. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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