Lexus single handily might be the brand that proved to us that premium vehicles needn’t be all that expensive or troublesome to own. The second generation of the RX 350, Lexus’s luxury midsize SUV has been in the market for a couple of years now and in true Lexus fashion, has been offering its owners a rather good time. That said, it is not completely immune to problems, and some issues, though minor, do pop up occasionally with an increase in mileage. This section discusses all such shortcomings of the RX 350 that prospective buyers or even owners must be aware of. The 2012 Lexus RX 350 range starts at around $39,095 and would be going against the like of other popular offerings like the Acura RDX, the Cadillac SRX, the Lincoln MKX, and the Volvo XC60.
2012 Lexus RX 350 User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Transmission Problems- Though the 2012 Lexus RX 350 is mechanically reliable mostly, the 6-speed automatic unit that the SUV uses is reported to showcase a few hiccups occasionally. Shifting delays, excessive jerking between gears, lurching when rolling from a standstill and random slips that causes the engine RPMs to shoot up are the commonly reported problems.
- Oil Leak- An oil leak from the oil cooler line has been a major issue that has been bothering 2012 Lexus RX 350 owners. The flexible rubber hoses that connect the two flanges of the oil line crack and leak oil on high-mileage cars. The OEM replacement part reportedly develops the same problem after a while. An aftermarket replacement part that has been completely made of metal (in places of the bend rubber hose) is said to permanently rectify this issue and is available at cheaper prices than the OEM part.
- Service brake- Issues with the brake actuator cause the ABS and the ESC systems on the SUV to lose functionality, indicated by the respective warning lights flashing simultaneously when the brake pedal is pressed. Though the general functionality of the brakes is not affected a few owners have reported the brakes locking when this happens. The manufacturer is aware of this issue and has initiated a recall (Id-14V054000) for updating the stability software and replacing the defective component if necessary.
Electric System complaints
- Radio/ navigation issues- Intermittent glitches or complete loss of media/ navigation functionalityhas been an issue reported by many users. While some report regaining functionality after restarting the vehicle, others don’t. This issue is mostly traced to software bugs and could be rectified by updating the unit with the latest software patch at the Lexus dealer. Hardware issues with the head unit are generally super rare.
Structural Complaints
- Liftgate problems- Faulty power liftgate function has been something that has been bugging several 2012 Lexus RX 350 owners and it would probably be the most reported complaint on the SUV. Issues like the liftgate not responding to key fob requests, the liftgate opening half the way, unintended openings, when parked and falling on the user while the trunk is in access, are some of the most reported ones. Most of these issues are programming errors and could be solved by the Initiation method Toyota/Lexus states or the owners can directly get it to the dealer to get the module reset.
2012 Lexus RX 350 Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
12th February 2014 |
14V054000 |
The brake actuator assembly may disable ABS and ESC |
An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system, reducing vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. |
Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. |
Should you buy a used 2012 Lexus RX 350?
The Lexus RX 350 takes the top spot in our midsize SUV rankings this year. Although it places itself it the premium side of things and probably the uninteresting end as well, the sort of seamlessness in the user experience it offers to owners is unmatched, at least by premium car standards. The low number of recalls and consumer complaints is just a testament to that. We are well aware that issues exist, but having seen the kind of complaints its nearest competitors dish out in short spans, the 2012 Lexus RX 350 definitely deserves praise. Even though the competition has gone ahead in terms of tech and creature comfort, if you are on the lookout for a hassle-free premium SUV, everything comes second to the Lexus RX 350.
