LexusIS F2012Overview/lexus/is-f/2012/base/

2012 Lexus IS F

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 IS F.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2012 Lexus IS F is a passenger car fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 10-quart oil capacity specifying 5W-30 API viscosity, achieving EPA ratings of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. Within the 2008–2017 generational span, this model year represents a midpoint of maturation, recording just 15 total owner complaints—dramatically fewer than the 114 logged for 2008—with air bags cited as the primary concern alongside two recalls. That positioning indicates the 2012 model sits well past the initial production volatility, offering researchers a view of stabilized build quality within the platform lifecycle.

Model year2014201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity10 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-35R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0-9.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 0415251010
Engine air filter1780138021
Fuel filter7702453040
Spark plug9091901249
Battery2880038100
Front wiper blades8522253071 alt 8521253081
Serpentine belt9091602632
Thermostat1632670020 alt 160310S010
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3651 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume88 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the IS F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.50 sec — 2012 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Sedan 5.0L V84.50 sec12.90 sec416 hpRWD
2011Sedan 5.0L V84.70 sec13.10 sec416 hpRWD
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.20 sec12.70 sec416 hpRWD
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec416 hpRWD
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec416 hpRWD
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.40 sec12.80 sec416 hpRWD
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.40 sec12.90 sec416 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 10 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.9
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.9 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity10 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts243 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub214 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.88-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.11 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance2.01-2.31 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance3-100 Motor ohms
Engine Compression144-203 PSI. 14.5 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10.2 psi @ Idle, 31.9 psi @ 2500 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.005-0.007 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.009-0.011 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.102 in / 1.024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inner bolts45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 1,000 miEngine Assembly (leak inspection) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Underbody (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test)
Every 10,000 miBrake Rotor (inspect)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 30,000 miUnderbody (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Cabin Air Filter (clean) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across the IS F's federal record, the generation shows a clear downward arc in both complaints and recalls from its 2008 launch (114 complaints, 8 recalls) through maturity, with complaints falling sharply by 2011 and recalls tapering from 8 to 2–3 by the target year. The 2012 model year sits squarely in the lower-complaint plateau, logging 15 complaints and 2 recalls — statistically almost identical to 2011's 14 complaints and only marginally above 2013's 8 — suggesting the early-production teething issues of 2008–2010 had largely been resolved. Its top complaint areas are Air Bags (4) and Fuel/Propulsion System (2), with 3 crash-associated complaints and zero fire complaints; the data does not specify root causes for these. With TSB coverage holding strong at 224 (vs. 225 in 2011), dealer service knowledge was well-established by this point. Taken together, 2012 represents a mature, low-risk point in the generation's lifecycle and is a solid year to buy, provided the airbag and fuel-system complaint areas are specifically inspected during pre-purchase evaluation.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
224
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
15
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags4
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Structure,Visibility/Wiper1
Engine1
Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper1
Air Bags,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Air Bags1
Structure,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V005000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

17V006000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2017

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 224 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0032-252025-07-30EngineSome 2016 – 2020 model year GS F, 2008 – 2014 model year IS F, 2022 – 2025 model year IS…
L-SB-0017-19 Rev12025-02-07StructureSome 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of…
L-SB-0017-19 Rev12025-02-07StructureSome 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of…
L-SB-0030-24 Rev12024-07-29StructureSome 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
L-SB-0030-24 Rev12024-07-29StructureSome 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific IS F. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 IS F take?

10 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 IS F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the IS F get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.