The 2012 Lexus IS 350C has 6 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
This airbag defect applies to vehicles sold or ever registered in high-humidity states and territories including Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and others in the Gulf Coast and Pacific regions, and has been filed across multiple campaigns covering different model years; prior repair attempts have not fully resolved the issue for all affected vehicles. There is also a fuel system concern specific to models with the 3.5L V6 engine: a fuel pulsation damper diaphragm can harden and crack over time, leading to a fuel leak that raises the risk of a fire near an ignition source. On the visibility side, the wiper motor or its related components can fail and leave the wipers inoperative, reducing the driver's ability to see in rain.
At a glance
What can fail
Driver or passenger front airbag inflators previously replaced under an earlier recall may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, high temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected front airbag inflator, assembly, or sub-assembly depending on vehicle model.
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Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly depending on your vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber diaphragm inside the fuel pulsation damper can harden and crack over time, potentially causing fuel to leak from the fuel system.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new one containing improved pulsation dampers that resist hardening and cracking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during deployment due to degradation from humidity and temperature exposure over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nuts holding the wiper arms may not be tightened enough. If snow or ice builds up on the wipers, one or both wipers could stop working.
What the fix does
Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
