Makes›Lexus›GX›2012

2012 Lexus GX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Lexus GX
Pictured: 2024 Lexus GX 550 Luxury+, front 12.8.24. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Body styles
460 4dr SUV Premium / Ultra Prem
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
17 combined · 15 city / 20 hwy
Length
189.4 in
Curb weight
5,309 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints10 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 33 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Lexus GX is a SUV - offered with a 4.6L 8-cyl engine and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,309 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 20 highway), 11% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 19 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 GX — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 GX →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
460 4dr SUV Premium / Ultra Prem189.4 in74 in74.4 in109.8 in62.2 / 62.6 in5,309 lb52/48

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
GX 4604.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17-11%$4,850523
Spend $12,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19 MPG2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Lexus GX.

Similar 2012 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Lexus GX (this car)17 MPGNot rated3
2012 Porsche Cayenne21 MPGNot rated5
2012 BMW X521 MPGNot rated14
2012 BMW X321 MPGNot rated2
2012 Lexus RX29 MPGNot rated1
2012 Volvo XC9019 MPGNot rated0
2012 Audi Q522 MPGNot rated6

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 17, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V005000 · 1,299,448 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V006000 · 577,875 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Lexus GX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

10Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
Air Bags9
Engine1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/06: 117/08: 417/09: 117/10: 218/01: 123/10: 117/0617/0817/0917/1018/0123/10max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Lexus GX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 9 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Lexus GX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other GX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 GX17196.9 inNot rated02
2025 GX17196.9 inNot rated213
2024 GX17192.1 inNot rated420
2023 GX16192.1 inNot rated06
2022 GX16192.1 inNot rated07
2021 GX16192.1 inNot rated04
2020 GX16192.1 inNot rated05
2019 GX16192.1 inNot rated18
2018 GX16192.1 inNot rated29
2017 GX16192.1 inNot rated315
2016 GX17192.1 inNot rated29
2015 GX17192.1 inNot rated311

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →