2012 Lexus Is problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (4) · Air Bags (4) · Vehicle Speed Control (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Is model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (36)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2025-12-15 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Engine 2025-07-30 · L-SB-0032-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2016 – 2020 model year gs f, 2008 – 2014 model year is f, 2022 – 2025 model year is 500, 2018 – 2025 model year lc 500, 2021 – 2025 model year lc 500c, and 2015 – 2025 model year rc f vehicles with 2ur-gse engines may exhibit a mil on condition with one or more of the following diagnostic troub
Structure:body 2025-02-07 · L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2010 – 2026 model year lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of rapgard™. the paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the rapgard™. the wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on
Structure:body 2025-02-07 · L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2010 – 2026 model year lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of rapgard™. the paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the rapgard™. the wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Showing the 6 most recent of 36 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-06 · Visibility/Wiper“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 glare materially impairs forward visibility and mak…”
2026-07-08 · Visibility/Wiper“2012 lexus is 250 complaint category: interior/seat belts/air bags → 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 vehicle being garage-kept, low mileage, and well-mainta…”
2026-06-23 · Unknown Or Other“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 — it appeared spontaneously and has progressively worsened over time. lexus acknowledged this …”
2024-06-10 · Visibility/Wiper“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.…”
2022-02-26 · Air Bags“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 vehicle waivered to get the recall accomplished when …”
2022-01-08 · Engine“while stopped at a stop light vehicle rpm went very high. it reached the red zone. vehicle started moving forward (while still on drive and the brake pedal fully pressed). i immediately put the vehicle in park. rpm continued to remain high. i removed my foot off the brake when the vehicle was in park. i turned the engine off, waited couple of secon…”
2020-11-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 96,129 mi“vehicle in motion going 80mph on highway when suddenly jolted and vehicle did not respond to accelerator and check engine/battery lights all came on and slowed to a stop. restarting engine did not work as it sputtered and went back to idle immediately. fuel tank was 1/4 full, not due for oil change for another 4000 miles, tire pressure was fixed a …”
2020-10-11 · Visibility/Wiper“lexus is250 has a melting dashboard and it's really hard to drive when the sun is out ... it glares out your vision when driving ...i was researching and saw some people got a recall for the melting dashboard since it's really unsafe to drive it with the dashboard starting to melt .. in the picture i added you can see how my dashboard is shiny bec…”
2020-04-17 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc)“hi , my first name is [xxx] last name is [xxx] ,my mailing address is [xxx]. i has a lexus is 250 2012 , 86000 mile last 10 month ago my car has a recall mail replacement air bag from lexus,but my car was in a good condition every thing is function good with no any problem, but after i took my car to the lexus of towson location 1040 york…”
2020-03-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 140,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 lexus is250. contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle loss motive power. the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. the highway patrol provided fuel and the vehicle restarted and operated as intended. a dealer was not contacted. the vehicle experienced th…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.