LexusRX450h2012Overview/lexus/rx450h/2012/base/

2012 Lexus RX450h

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 RX450h.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2012 Lexus RX450h is a hybrid SUV mated to an automatic AV‑S6 transmission and runs on 6.4 quarts of 0W‑20 API oil. Its EPA‑rated fuel economy stands at 31 city, 28 highway, and 29 combined mpg. Owner‑reported issues total 14, with the electrical system the leading complaint category and no recalls issued. Across the 2011‑2023 generation, the 2012 model sits well below the 2017 peak of 55 complaints and near the low end of the range, suggesting a comparatively clean reliability record for this model year.

Model year202520242022202120202019201820172012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy31/28/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S55D23R Hybrid · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. 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 S55D23R Hybrid · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHZSWOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter1780131141
Spark plug9091901247
Battery2880031293
Front wiper blades852120E020 alt 8522252170
Serpentine belt99367K0810
Thermostat90916A3002 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907020

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.8 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase107.9 in
Curb weight4652 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined31 / 28 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.4 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.4 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Main Bearings16
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0-30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.21-1.43 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10-4.60 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberS55D23R Hybrid
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca

Service checks

Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance2.01-2.31 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance3-100 Motor ohms
Engine Compression109-145 PSI. 15 Maximum variation PSI
Engine Oil Pressure5.8 psi @ Idle, 29 psi @ 2500
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle77 ft-lbs / 58 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.984 in / 0.335 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 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 10,000 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 5,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (road test)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
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) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (clean) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 2012 Lexus RX450h demonstrates a significant decrease in complaints compared to the 2011 model, dropping from 36 to 14, and remains considerably lower than the 31 complaints recorded for 2013. Across this generation, complaint volumes fluctuate, but the 2012 model represents one of the lowest points in the early part of the cycle. For this specific year, there were 0 recalls and a small number of complaints primarily involving the electrical system (2) and "unknown or other" areas (2), with no reported crash or fire complaints. While the 2012 model has 226 TSBs and one investigation, these figures align with the broader generation's pattern of high TSB volume and consistent investigation rates. Given its position as a low-complaint year with no recalls, the 2012 Lexus RX450h is a good year to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
226
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System2
Unknown Or Other2
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Structure1
Air Bags1
Tires1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Suspension,Electrical System,Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 226 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0030-24 Rev22025-12-15StructureSome 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
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 RX450h. 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 RX450h take?

6.4 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 RX450h have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RX450h get?

EPA figures are 31 city / 28 highway / 29 combined mpg.