What 116 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Lexus ES 350

Driving down the interstate and out of the blue my sunroof exploded. It sounded like a gunshot and I was driving 80mph. I almost ran into another driver due to glass falling on me.

NHTSA ODI 11637350

The dashboard is melting causing a glare that’s hard to see through on the windshield. I found a self service from Lexus that they recalled it themselves but it isn’t official thought the government. [XXX] ). I called Lexus and they said I had to call corporate, so I did. They still wouldn’t help me as it isn’t an official recall even though they extended the program to 2026. This is a major saftey concern. I could eventually hit someone because of the glare. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11583403

The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while sitting in the sun, the dashboard melted causing a glare in the windshield. The contact called the dealer and was advised to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact there were no open recalls associated with the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11583409

Sticky dash board, tryed to clean it and it becomes shinny and reflects sunlight

NHTSA ODI 11493290

Airbag recall was replaced 8/02/2022. Car accident occurred 8/03/2022. Airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI 11478255

The contact owns a 2012 Lexus ES350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the key was detected, and trunk open warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the doors would lock and unlock independently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the trunk latch replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and agreed to cover the cost of the partial repair. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11438493

Sales rep. Stated that the dash boards is very sticky

NHTSA ODI 11417602

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHILE PULLING STRAIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT. VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 1 MPH WITH FOOT GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKE WHILE COMING TO A STOP. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT WHAT APPEARS TO BE FULL THROTTLE. CAR JUMPED OVER CONCRETE PARKING CURB AND RESTED ON TOP OF THE CONCRETE CURB, COMING TO A HALT. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 12, 2020.

NHTSA ODI 11366111

I RECEIVED A LETTER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO NEAREST DEALER FOR AIR BAG RECALL REPLACEMENT PROCESS, AND I CALLED AND INITIATED ONLINE CHATTING W/ THE LEXUS AIR BAG RECALL SUPPORT TEAM NUMEROUS TIMES BUT FAILED TO GET A RESPONSE FROM THEM. ONLINE CHAT REPRESENTATIVE STATED THEY CAN'T HELP WITH SCHEDULING, AND REPRESENTATIVES OVER THE PHONE, MORE THAN 6 TIMES OF ATTEMPT, EITHER HUNG UP DURING THE CALL AND KEPT ON TRANSFERRING. IT HAPPENED SINCE MARCH ON A DIFFERENT DATES AND THEY STILL REFUSED TO COMPLETE THE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING PROCESS.

NHTSA ODI 11363245

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11343217

LIGHT CAN ON AND OFF 12/20/2019 WHEN I WAS DRIVING, I PULL INTO PARKING LOT AND CUT OFF ENGINE...WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED CAR BACK UP IT WENT AWAY, THE NEXT DAY 12/21/2019 WHEN I STARTED UP MY CAR IT CAME ON WHILE STILL PARK AND STAY ON, NOT A GOOD FEELING .

NHTSA ODI 11290583

THE HORN QUIT WORKING. FOUND IT WORKS ONLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED CLOSE TO END OF CLOCKWISE AND COUNTERCLOCKWISE DIRECTION. DEEMED SAFETY HAZARD SINCE NO HORN SOUND TO ALERT PEDESTIANS, BICYCLISTS AND OTHER DRIVERS OF DANGER. WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND COST $690 TO REPLACE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING.

NHTSA ODI 11271116

ALL 4 DOORS STOPPED LOCKING BY KEY FOB, INSIDE SWITCHES OR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SWITCHES OR WHEN PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. NO CLICK IS HEARD WHEN TRYING TO LOCK DOORS BUT CLICKING IS HEARD WHEN HITTING THE UNLOCK SWITCHES. DOORS WILL UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY/ ELECTRICALLY WHEN THEY ARE MANUALLY LOCKED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. A PREVIOUS REPORT INDICATED A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT A DEALER DIAGNOSED AS ALL OF THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED REPLACED, WHICH MAKES NO SENSE THAT THE COULD ALL FAIL MECHANICALLY AT THE SAME TIME. THE PROBLEM APPEARS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND IS DANGEROUS SINCE DOORS CAN'T BE LOCKED WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR IN A SAFETY SITUATION WHERE LOCKING THE DOORS COULD PREVENT INTRUDER ENTRY.

NHTSA ODI 11271119

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LEXUS OF CLEARWATER (27547 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, (727) 231-1443) DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11187108

ON FEB 7, 2019 VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY DEALER REGARDING A RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS ON DEALERS LIFT AT TIME OF DETECTION OF LEAK ON FEB 8, 2019 POWER STEERING RACK LEAK WAS FOUND BY DEALER ON FEB 8, 9 AND 10, 2019 DEALER REPLACED LEAKING POWER STEERING RACK.

NHTSA ODI 11176490

TL* 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. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE 2012 LEXUS ES350 WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT, WHICH ENDED IN MAY OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11113954

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LEXUS DEALER (HENNESSY LEXUS OF ATLANTA, 5955 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341, 770-457-6800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11105114

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. DRIVER NEEDS ON-OFF SWITCH INSTALLED FOR DRIVER KNEE AIRBAG. DRIVER WAS NOT AT FAULT IN THIS ACCIDENT AND WANTS KNEE AIRBAGS REMOVED OR AN ON-OFF SWITCH INSTALLED. THE AIRBAG ON STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED CORRECTLY AND CAUSED NO DAMAGE. THE KNEE AIRBAG IS A DANGER TO DRIVER.

NHTSA ODI 11084148

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. (NALLEY LEXUS ROSWELL LOCATED 980 MANSELL RD, ROSWELL, GA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11081527

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LEXUS OF CHATTANOOGA, 5800 LEE HWY, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421, (423) 499-9095) WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11067012

THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO ACQUIRE A REPLACEMENT AIR BAG FOR MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO CARRY PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE THEREFORE A RISK TO MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI 11054884

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TREASURE COAST LEXUS IN FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11054745

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE CALLED LEXUS OF GREENVILLE, S.C. NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. THEY WILL NOT EVEN CALL ME BACK. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL I CAN'T HAVE SOMEONE RIDE IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. I HAVE VIRTUALLY LOST THE USE OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS WITH NO END IN SITE. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

NHTSA ODI 11052153

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED PARKER LEXUS AT (501) 221-1700 (1 SHACKLEFORD W BLVD, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72211) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11051730

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (SCANLON LEXUS OF FT MYERS, 14200 S TAMIAMI TRL, FORT MYERS, FL 33912) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11050934