2012 Lexus IS F Base
JTHBP5C27C5009976
Vehicle history report for the 2012 Lexus IS F Base (VIN JTHBP5C27C5009976). Black, sedan/saloon, 5.0L 8-cyl, gasoline. 23,836 mi reported. Registered in Ca. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
Should you buy it? Worth a look — but negotiate
Weighed from safety recalls, known problems and market price.
- 2 recall campaigns exist for this model year. Check this VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm the repairs were done.
- Lower mileage than typical for the year.
- Priced within the typical range for the model.
💵 A fair offer is around $40,969 (typical range $38,500–$44,200). Start a little below and leave room for anything the inspection turns up.
Full vehicle history report
Everything below is in the paid report for VIN JTHBP5C27C5009976, compiled live from NMVTIS and licensed providers the moment you unlock it. Not every vehicle has every record type — the report shows what is on file, and says so when nothing is. The 2 recall campaigns for this model year are shown further down.
📜 Title & ownership
- Title statusClean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon — from the national title database (NMVTIS)🔒
- Title brand historyEvery brand ever applied, by state, with what each one means🔒
- Title & registration recordsHow many times it has been titled, where, and the years-per-owner pace🔒
- Decode consistency checkThe provider's decode cross-checked against ours — a mismatch is a cloned-VIN warning sign🔒
🛞 Odometer
- Odometer timelineEvery reported reading with its date and state, drawn as a timeline🔒
- Rollback checkFlags any reading that goes backwards🔒
- Miles per yearThis car's pace against the US average🔒
💥 Damage, loss & theft
- Total-loss recordsInsurance total-loss declarations, with the reporting insurer type and date🔒
- Salvage & junk-yard recordsSalvage, junk and auction dispositions, including export flags🔒
- Theft screenActive and recovered theft records🔒
- Accident indicatorsDamage events reflected in title data (NMVTIS does not carry police crash reports)🔒
- Flood-exposure checkTitle activity in a disaster area soon after a major flood or hurricane🔒
💰 Liens & value
- Liens, impounds & exportOpen liens with the lender, tow/impound and export records🔒
- Market value for this exact carRetail adjusted for its mileage and state, trade-in, loan value, auction low/avg/high and retail by condition🔒
- DepreciationDrop from original MSRP, yearly rate and a one-year projection🔒
- Sticker vs dealer invoiceWhat it cost new, and what the dealer paid🔒
🧰 Factory warranty & equipment
- Remaining warrantyBasic, powertrain and rust coverage left, estimated from the first title date and odometer🔒
- Standard equipment & coloursWhat this trim came with from the factory, and the colours it was offered in🔒
🚨 Recalls on this VIN
- Per-VIN recall statusWhether each campaign has been repaired on THIS car, remedy availability, do-not-drive and stop-sale flags, dealer labour time🔒
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Safety & driver-assistance equipment
Equipment the manufacturer reported to NHTSA for this VIN.
"Optional" means the feature was offered on this model but the VIN alone can't confirm it was fitted. Source: NHTSA vPIC.
📋 All factory specifications on file8 more fields from the manufacturer's VIN record (NHTSA vPIC)
📐 Body, chassis & dimensions
🛡️ Safety & driver assistance
🏭 Manufacturing & other
Values are as reported by the manufacturer for this VIN pattern; blank or "not applicable" fields are omitted.
What's a 2012 Lexus IS F worth?
What comparable 2012 Lexus IS F vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2012 Lexus IS F with this engine.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2012 Lexus IS F costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($40,969) with the same model 4 model-years older ($26,012), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deploymen…
NHTSA #EA21002 · Air Bags · opened Sep 2021An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 224
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 224.
Some 2016 – 2020 model year GS F, 2008 – 2014 model year IS F, 2022 – 2025 model year IS 500, 2018 – 2025 model year LC 500, 2021 – 2025 model year LC 500c, and 2015 – 2025 model year RC F vehicles with 2UR-GSE engines may exhibit a MIL ON condition with one o…
Bulletin L-SB-0032-25 · Engine · Jul 2025Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain f…
Bulletin L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Structure · Feb 2025Some 2010 – 2026 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard™. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard™. The wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain f…
Bulletin L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Structure · Feb 2025Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to pr…
Bulletin L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Structure · Jul 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to pr…
Bulletin L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Structure · Jul 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to p…
Bulletin L-SB-0030-24 · Structure · Jun 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to p…
Bulletin L-SB-0030-24 · Structure · Jun 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, r…
Bulletin L-SB-0020-24 · Structure · Apr 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before th…
Bulletin L-SB-0023-24 · Structure · Apr 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especiall…
Bulletin L-SB-0024-24 · Structure · Apr 2024Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the IS F RWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2012 Lexus IS F. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note:…
Transport Canada #2021723 · Nov 2021Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage t…
Transport Canada #2019008 · Jan 2019Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Lexus IS F
The Lexus IS (XE20) is a car produced by the Japanese carmaker Toyota under its luxury division, Lexus. Classified as a compact executive car, it represented the second generation of the Lexus IS. It served as Lexus's entry-level sedan from 2005 until its production ended in 2013. Toyota manufactured the XE20 at the facility in Tahara, Aichi, and the Kyushu factory in Miyawaka, Fukuoka. It was available as both a four-door sedan and a two-door coupe—the latter designated by a "C" at the end of their name.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
Safety recall campaigns 2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 Is…
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 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyot
NHTSA Campaign #19V005000 · 09/01/2019AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 Northe…
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 inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer
NHTSA Campaign #17V006000 · 09/01/2017These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year, last checked 28 Oct 2026. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on all 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Lexus IS F, here are the most-reported problem areas — and what to check before you buy.
💥 3 involved a crash 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 15
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2012 Lexus IS F.
STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
The dashboard is sticky/melting causing it to be extremely shiny. It is available for inspection upon request. Due to the shininess of the dashboard, it causes a glare on the windshield during the daytime. This glare causes difficulty with being able to safely see through the windshield.
NHTSA ODI #11593384AIR BAGS
I own a Lexus 2012 IS250 and currently active duty member stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy. I was not notified that my vehicle is overdue on a safety recall until today when I am trying to ship the vehicle back to the US. What further actions can I do to get the recall done? Can I get the vehicle waivered to get the recall accomplished when it reaches…
NHTSA ODI #11454221ENGINE
While stopped at a stop light vehicle RPM went very high. It reached the red zone. Vehicle started moving forward (while still on Drive and the brake pedal fully pressed). I immediately put the vehicle in Park. RPM continued to remain high. I removed my foot off the brake when the vehicle was in park. I turned the engine off, waited couple of seconds and tur…
NHTSA ODI #11446748FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE IN MOTION GOING 80MPH ON HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY JOLTED AND VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR AND CHECK ENGINE/BATTERY LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND SLOWED TO A STOP. RESTARTING ENGINE DID NOT WORK AS IT SPUTTERED AND WENT BACK TO IDLE IMMEDIATELY. FUEL TANK WAS 1/4 FULL, NOT DUE FOR OIL CHANGE FOR ANOTHER 4000 MILES, TIRE PRESSURE WAS FIXED A DAY PRIOR …
NHTSA ODI #11376646UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
LEXUS IS250 HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO DRIVE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT ... IT GLARES OUT YOUR VISION WHEN DRIVING ...I WAS RESEARCHING AND SAW SOME PEOPLE GOT A RECALL FOR THE MELTING DASHBOARD SINCE IT'S REALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT WITH THE DASHBOARD STARTING TO MELT .. IN THE PICTURE I ADDED YOU CAN SEE HOW MY DASHBOARD IS SHINY BECAUSE ITS M…
NHTSA ODI #11363776AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
HI , MY FIRST NAME IS [XXX] LAST NAME IS [XXX] ,MY MAILING ADDRESS IS [XXX]. I HAS A LEXUS IS 250 2012 , 86000 MILE LAST 10 MONTH AGO MY CAR HAS A RECALL MAIL REPLACEMENT AIR BAG FROM LEXUS,BUT MY CAR WAS IN A GOOD CONDITION EVERY THING IS FUNCTION GOOD WITH NO ANY PROBLEM, BUT AFTER I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LEXUS OF TOWSON LOCATION 1040 YORK RD , TOWS…
NHTSA ODI #11321415FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS IS250. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE HIGHWAY PATROL PROVIDED FUEL AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE …
NHTSA ODI #11316301ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
THE TOP CONVERTIBLE MOTOR GOT BROKEN ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT IT SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REPLACE IT BUT NOW THE ONE THEY PUT ON THAT TIME NOW IT'S BROKEN AGAIN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO GET FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #11298620+ 7 more complaints on record.
