2012 Lexus RX

SUV · 2010–2027

2010–2015 Lexus RX — 2010–2015 pictured. Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best bet2022Fewest serious problems: 0.4× usual Newest we'd buy2025The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad

Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.

usual

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual Extended coverage

42 serious complaints of 48, the most about speed control (11) and engine (7); per car on the road, 0.7× this model's usual year. 1 recall.

What owners report

“Initially felt the vehicle suddenly lurch foward on several occasions after backing out of parking space at work and shifting into drive. Had to hit brakes, bring the vehicle to a complete stop, and then slowly start forward again. Accident occurred in the driveway of a private residence. The vehicle was placed in park and fully stopped..”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the speed control, Aug 2015

“Alternator completely shut down on Sunday,. Battery warning light came on out of the blue on Sat, at 8:45 PM in Independence, MO in front of Walmart on [], had to go autozone on [] in []. Test came back showing Alternator failure. Now power steering is gone and prob battery too. All interior electric systems shut down also.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Sep 2026

Fixes and extended coverage

Extended coverage Vehicles that did not have an active Safety Connect subscription on or after 10/1/2017 but are affected by this condition are included in this Customer Support Program (19LE05). (19LE05, Oct 2019)
Extended coverage Dealer Package: 12/10/2019 Vehicle total has increased by approximately 6,260 vehicles. (KLG Dealer, Dec 2019)
Extended coverage Technical instructions: technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19le05 safety connect system ? (19LE05-KLG, Oct 2019)
Extended coverage Technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19le05 safety connect system ? (KLG 19LE05-TI-Up, Aug 2020)
Repair program Certain service publications, Technical Service Bulletins, Service Campaign Technical Instructions and Service & Parts Operation Communication Bulletins may reference specifically required adhesives and sealants (L-TT-0031-10, Jul 2013)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

48 owner complaints · 1 recall (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 20–29 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 trims and features

Every RX year's verdict →

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl · Drive: AWD, FWD

2012 RX trims

	350	450h

base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Lexus reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Lexus aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.

Year by year

Year	Engines	Drive	Fuel economy	Crash rating	Recalls	Owner complaints	Most-reported problem	CarPlay
2027	—	—	—	4–5 of 5	0	0	—	—
2026	2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271–275 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 180–187 hp	AWD, FWD	24–36 mpg	4–5 of 5	3	9	Electrical system (6)	—
2025	2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271–275 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 180–187 hp	AWD, FWD	24–36 mpg	4–5 of 5	4	22	Electrical system (6)	Yes
2024	2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271–275 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 180–187 hp	AWD, FWD	24–36 mpg	4–5 of 5	4	58	Electrical system (20)	Yes
2023	2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271–275 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 187 hp	AWD, FWD	24–36 mpg	4–5 of 5	3	67	Unknown or other (16)	Yes
2022	3.5L 6-cyl, 259–290 hp	AWD, FWD	21–30 mpg	4 of 5	0	39	Unknown or other (12)	Yes
2021	3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, FWD	21–30 mpg	4–5 of 5	1	71	Air bags (47)	Yes
2020	3.5L 6-cyl, 259–295 hp	AWD, FWD	21–30 mpg	4–5 of 5	1	55	Air bags (21)	Yes
2019	3.5L 6-cyl, 259–295 hp	AWD, FWD	21–30 mpg	4–5 of 5	3	68	Fuel/propulsion system (24)	No
2018	3.5L 6-cyl, 259–295 hp	AWD, FWD	21–30 mpg	4–5 of 5	2	47	Unknown or other (10)	No
2017	3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, FWD	22–30 mpg	4–5 of 5	3	103	Unknown or other (26)	No
2016	3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, FWD	22–30 mpg	4 of 5	3	93	Unknown or other (23)	No
2015	3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, FWD	20–29 mpg	4–5 of 5	1	67	Unknown or other (16)	No
2014	3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, FWD	20–29 mpg	4–5 of 5	0	30	Air bags (7)	No
2013	3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, FWD	20–29 mpg	4–5 of 5	1	90	Service brakes (19)	No
2012	3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, FWD	20–29 mpg	4 of 5	1	48	Vehicle speed control (11)	No
2011	3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, FWD	20–29 mpg	4 of 5	1	66	Engine (19)	No
2010	3.5L 6-cyl	AWD, FWD	20–30 mpg	Not rated	1	192	Vehicle speed control (50)	No

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Which years have…

Lane centering Blind-spot monitoring

Apple lists CarPlay for: RX 2020–2025 (Apple).

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2027	LEXUS RX 350 SUV ICE FWD	4	No	No	0	0
2027	LEXUS RX 350 SUV ICE AWD	5	No	No	0	0
2027	LEXUS RX 350H SUV HEV AWD	5	No	No	0	0
2027	LEXUS RX 450H+ SUV PHEV AWD	Not Rated	No	No	0	0
2027	LEXUS RX 500H SUV HEV AWD	5	No	No	0	0
2026	LEXUS RX 350 SUV N/A AWD	5	Standard	Standard	3	9
2026	LEXUS RX 350 SUV N/A FWD	4	Standard	Standard	3	9
2026	LEXUS RX 350H SUV HEV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	0
2026	LEXUS RX 450H+ SUV PHEV AWD	Not Rated	Standard	Standard	1	0
2026	LEXUS RX 500H SUV HEV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	0
2025	Lexus RX 350 SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	4	20
2025	Lexus RX 350 SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	4	20
2025	Lexus RX 350h SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	1
2025	Lexus RX 450h+ SUV AWD	Not Rated	Standard	Standard	2	2
2025	Lexus RX 500h SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	1
2024	Lexus RX 350 SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	4	57
2024	Lexus RX 350 SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	4	57
2024	Lexus RX 350h SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	3	1
2024	Lexus RX 500h SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	3	1
2023	Lexus RX 350 SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	4	66
2023	Lexus RX 350 SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	4	66
2023	Lexus RX 350h SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	0
2023	Lexus RX 500h SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	0
2022	Lexus RX 350 SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	0	39
2022	Lexus RX 350 SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	0	39
2022	Lexus RX 350L SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	0	3
2022	Lexus RX 350L SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	0	3
2022	Lexus RX 450h SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	0	0
2022	Lexus RX 450hL SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	0	0
2021	Lexus RX 350 SUV FWD Later Release	4	Standard	Standard	2	71
2021	Lexus RX 350 SUV AWD Later Release	4	Standard	Standard	2	71
2021	Lexus RX 350 SUV AWD Early Release	5	Standard	Standard	2	71
2021	Lexus RX 350 SUV FWD Early Release	4	Standard	Standard	2	71
2021	Lexus RX 350L SUV FWD Later Release	4	Standard	Standard	1	70
2021	Lexus RX 350L SUV AWD Later Release	4	Standard	Standard	1	70
2021	Lexus RX 350L SUV AWD Early Release	4	Standard	Standard	1	70
2021	Lexus RX 350L SUV FWD Early Release	4	Standard	Standard	1	70
2021	Lexus RX 450h SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	1	70
2021	Lexus RX 450hL SUV AWD Later Release	4	Standard	Standard	1	70
2021	Lexus RX 450hL SUV AWD Early Release	4	Standard	Standard	1	70
2020	Lexus RX 350 SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	2	53
2020	Lexus RX 350 SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	53
2020	Lexus RX 350L SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	2	46
2020	Lexus RX 350L SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	1	7
2020	Lexus RX 450h SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	48
2020	Lexus RX 450hL SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	1	46
2019	Lexus RX350 SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	4	65
2019	Lexus RX350 SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	4	65
2019	Lexus RX350L SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	3	34
2019	Lexus RX350L SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	3	34
2019	Lexus RX450h SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	37
2019	Lexus RX450HL SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	1	34
2018	Lexus RX350 SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	44
2018	Lexus RX350 SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	1	44
2018	Lexus RX350L SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	2	26
2018	Lexus RX350L SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	2	26
2018	Lexus RX450h SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	29
2018	Lexus RX450HL SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	0	26
2017	Lexus RX350 SUV FWD	4	Optional	Optional	3	93
2017	Lexus RX350 SUV AWD	5	Optional	Optional	3	93
2017	Lexus RX450h SUV AWD	5	Optional	Optional	0	57
2017	Lexus RX450h SUV FWD	4	Optional	Optional	0	57
2016	Lexus RX350 SUV FWD	4	Optional	No	3	86
2016	Lexus RX350 SUV AWD	4	Optional	No	3	86
2016	Lexus RX450h SUV AWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	2	35
2016	Lexus RX450h SUV FWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	2	35
2015	Lexus RX350 SUV FWD	4	Optional	No	1	62
2015	Lexus RX350 SUV AWD	5	Optional	No	1	62
2015	Lexus RX450h SUV AWD	5	Optional	No	0	25
2015	Lexus RX450h SUV FWD	4	Optional	No	0	25
2014	Lexus RX350 SUV FWD	4	Optional	No	0	27
2014	Lexus RX350 SUV AWD	5	Optional	No	0	27
2014	Lexus RX450h SUV AWD	5	No	No	0	14
2014	Lexus RX450h SUV FWD	4	No	No	0	14
2013	Lexus RX350 SUV FWD	4	No	No	1	78
2013	Lexus RX350 SUV AWD	5	No	No	1	78
2013	Lexus RX450h SUV FWD	4	No	No	0	31
2013	Lexus RX450h SUV AWD	5	No	No	0	31
2012	Lexus RX350 SUV AWD	4	No	No	1	45
2012	Lexus RX350 SUV FWD	4	No	No	1	45
2012	Lexus RX450h SUV AWD	4	No	No	0	15
2012	Lexus RX450h SUV FWD	4	No	No	0	15
2011	Lexus RX350 SUV AWD	4	No	No	1	54
2011	Lexus RX350 SUV FWD	4	No	No	1	54
2011	Lexus RX450H SUV AWD	4	No	No	0	36
2011	Lexus RX450H SUV FWD	4	No	No	0	36
2010	Lexus RX350 4-DR. w/SAB	Not Rated	Optional	No	1	171
2010	Lexus RX450h w/SAB	Not Rated	Optional	No	1	98

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2026	RX 350	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	25
2026	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	24
2026	RX 350h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	36
2026	RX 500h AWD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	27
2025	RX 350	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	25
2025	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	24
2025	RX 350h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	36
2025	RX 450h Plus AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	35
2025	RX 500h AWD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	27
2024	RX 350	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	25
2024	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	24
2024	RX 350h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	36
2024	RX 500h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	27
2023	RX 350	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	25
2023	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	24
2023	RX 350h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	36
2023	RX 500h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo	27
2022	RX 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2022	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2022	RX 350 L	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2022	RX 350 L AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2022	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	30
2022	RX 450h L AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2021	RX 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2021	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2021	RX 350 L	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2021	RX 350 L AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2021	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	30
2021	RX 450h L AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2020	RX 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2020	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2020	RX 350 L	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2020	RX 350 L AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2020	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	30
2020	RX 450h L AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2019	RX 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2019	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2019	RX 350 L	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2019	RX 350 L AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2019	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	30
2019	RX 450h L AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2018	RX 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2018	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2018	RX 350 L	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2018	RX 350 L AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2018	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	30
2018	RX 450h L AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2017	RX 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2017	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2017	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	30
2016	RX 350	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	23
2016	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	22
2016	RX 450h	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	30
2016	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	30
2015	RX 350	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2015	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	20–21
2015	RX 450h	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2015	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	28
2014	RX 350	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2014	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	20–21
2014	RX 450h	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2014	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	28
2013	RX 350	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2013	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	20–21
2013	RX 450h	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2013	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	28
2012	RX 350	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2012	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	20
2012	RX 450h	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2012	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	28
2011	RX 350 2WD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2011	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	20
2011	RX 450h	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29
2011	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	28
2010	RX 350 2WD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	21
2010	RX 350 AWD	Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	20
2010	RX 450h	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	30
2010	RX 450h AWD	Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L	29

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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