Every 2012 Lexus ES350 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 19V741000
Oct 17, 2019Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles.
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Full recall details for 19V741000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 19V005000
Sep 1, 2019Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Full recall details for 19V005000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 17V006000
Sep 1, 2017Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."
Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."
Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
Full recall details for 17V006000 →
2012 Lexus ES350 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lexus ES350, reporting 3 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. Lexus has issued at least 208 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Air Bags79
- Latches/Locks/Linkages3
- Electrical System2
- Structure2
- Vehicle Speed Control2
- Seat Belts1
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (130)
- Electrical System (66)
- Power Train (19)
- Visibility (12)
- Air Bags (8)
- Engine (7)
Read Lexus ES350 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Lexus ES350
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lexus ES350. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE MELTING AND STICKY. THERE WAS NO CUSHION PROTECTION ON THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.”
2012 LEXUS ES350Jul 26, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11113954
Injury reportedCrash
“DRIVER SIDE KNEE AIRBAG CAUSED HEMATOMA, SECOND DEGREE BURN ON L. LEG, RESULTING IN 2 SURGERIES, USE OF WOUND VAC FOR 2 1/2 MONTHS, AND PERMANENT LYMPEDEMA AND SCARRING ON L. CALF. DRIVER HAS REPLACED KNEES THAT ARE AT HIGH RISK IF FURTHER CRASH AND KNEE BAG DEPLOYS AGAIN.”
2012 LEXUS ES350Apr 8, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11084148
Injury reported
“I PARKED THE CAR IN MY INDOOR GARAGE (PART OF THE INTERIOR OF MY HOME). SEVERAL HOURS LATER, I BEGAN TO FEEL ILL AND COLLAPSED ON THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO CALL 911 AND AN EMERGENCY CREW RESPONDED TO MY HOME. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS.”
2012 LEXUS ES350Aug 28, 2015
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10760523
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THE PERSON DRIVING SAW SMOKE STARTING TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, AFTER THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A SMALL BURN HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT.”
2012 LEXUS ES350Jan 8, 2015
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10670928
Crash
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER BEING CUT OFF. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE WHEELS SEIZED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.”
2012 LEXUS ES350Dec 4, 2013
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10554786
Check your ES350 by VIN
Not every 2012 Lexus ES350 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Lexus dealer.
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