2012 Lexus ES 350 — Full Specifications
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The 2012 Lexus ES 350 is a saloon/sedan powered by a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 26 mpg (UK) / 22 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Lexus ES 350 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Lexus ES 350: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 26 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 3★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2011 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.5L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 95 cu ft (2,690 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 15 cu ft (425 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 26 combined / 23 urban / 32 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 22 combined / 19 city / 27 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 251 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,050 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2012 Lexus ES 350, all with the 3.5L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/27) | 251 | $3,050 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 95 cubic feet (about 2,690 litres) and luggage volume at 15 cubic feet (about 425 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Lexus ES 350
Running Costs: 2012 Lexus ES 350
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Lexus ES 350 at 26 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,399 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Lexus ES 350 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 19V741000, reported 17 October 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 19V005000, reported 9 January 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 17V006000, reported 9 January 2017. Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lexus ES 350. The most-reported areas are Air bags (95), Electrical system (7), Structure (5). Complaints include 7 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, 10 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 27 complaints across the 16 Lexus ES 350 model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Lexus ES 350
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (3 recall campaigns · 95 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Electrical system (7 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Body structure (5 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
Lexus models in our database average about 28 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Lexus ES 350's 26 mpg is 2 mpg below that make average.
Of the 16 Lexus ES 350 model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 14th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (26 mpg UK combined, against a high of 31 mpg). See every Lexus ES 350 year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Lexus ES 350
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Lexus ES 350 have?
It's fitted with a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Lexus ES 350?
The most efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, or 22 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Lexus ES 350 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Lexus ES 350 have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 3 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Lexus ES 350 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Lexus ES 350?
Among the 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (95 complaints), Electrical system (7 complaints), Structure (5 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2012 Lexus ES 350 have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 95 cubic feet (about 2,690 litres) and luggage volume at 15 cubic feet (about 425 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.