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2012 Lexus Rx450h
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
14 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Complaints are still coming in strong late in this car's life, a chronic-problem pattern, not early teething.
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2012 Lexus RX450h SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 16%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2012 Lexus Rx450h, plotted where owners report it happening.
Electrical system
29%4 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“The engine shuts off for a second while driving”
Brakes
21%3 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“AFTER WASHING MY CAR AND LETTING IT SIT IN MY GARAGE FOR A MONTH THE REAR BRAKE CALIBERS WE'RE STUCK. MY HYBRID BATTERY IS LEAKING ACID ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE AN…”
Engine
14%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The engine shuts off for a second while driving”
Driver assistance
7%1 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2012 Lexus RX450H beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every Rx450h model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 Lexus Rx450h against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.