LexusGX4602012Overview/lexus/gx460/2012/base/

2012 Lexus GX460

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 GX460.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Lexus GX460 is an SUV powered by an engine requiring 8.2 quarts of 0W-20 API oil and paired with an Automatic (S6) transmission, carrying EPA fuel-economy ratings of 15/20/17 mpg city/highway/combined. Owner-reported reliability data records 11 total complaints for the year, with Air Bags standing out as the top complaint area and three recalls on file. Within the 2010–2019 complaint history, that places the 2012 model near the lower end—above the 2013 low of 7 complaints but well below the 2010 high of 38—making it a comparatively quiet year for reported problems despite the air-bag concern and recall count.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720162012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity8.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 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 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265-60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 04152YZZA3
Engine air filter1780138051
Spark plug9091901191
Battery2880054020
Front wiper blades852220E040 alt 8521253081
Serpentine belt90916A2033
Thermostat1632670020 alt 160310S010
Cabin air filter8713907010 alt 8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.4 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height74.4 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight5309 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain4-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 8.2 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity1.8
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity8.2 qt
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.5 Pints

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts221 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub173 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)665 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)115 rpm
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront, 1.14-1.28; Rear, without cool box, 1.72-1.86; with cool box, 1.83-1.96. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.08 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance2.01-2.31 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance3-100 Motor ohms
Engine Compression145-189 PSI. 15 Maximum variation PSI

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle91 ft-lbs / 77 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0079 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.26 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.26 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.141 in / 0.63 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

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) · Active Suspension System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 miActive Suspension System (inspect)
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)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

In the federal record, complaints fell from 38 in 2010 and 36 in 2011 to 11 in the target year 2012. Recalls remained steady at three for 2012, matching the levels seen in 2011 and 2013‑2015, while investigations stayed at one, consistent with the pattern from 2010 through 2017. After 2012, complaints dipped further to seven in 2013 before rising to twenty‑one in 2014 and then fluctuating between nine and fourteen through 2019. The recall count declined to two in 2016 and 2018 and to one in 2019, indicating a gradual reduction in recall activity after the mid‑generation period. Given the notable drop in complaints relative to the preceding years and recall levels comparable to surrounding model years, the 2012 Lexus GX460 presents a reasonably reliable option among used vehicles of this generation.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
238
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Air Bags9
Engine1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V741000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/10/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 238 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
L-SB-0030-242024-06-21StructureSome 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 GX460. 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 GX460 take?

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

Does the 2012 GX460 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the GX460 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.