LEXUS ES350 · model year

2011 LEXUS ES350

161 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011LEXUSES350 carries 161 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 ES350 is air bags with 145 filings, followed by unknown or other (3) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2011 ES350. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

161
Complaints
12
Crashes
0
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

161 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS145
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ENGINE2
TIRES1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)1
SERVICE BRAKES1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
SEATS1

Recalls (3)

16V34000023/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 20

19V74100017/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 GX4

19V00500009/01/2019

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, Louis

Recent Complaints

20200813CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER WHEEL AND WITHIN SECONDS HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPING OVER. THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE SLID ON THE WET ROADWAY DUE TO THE RAIN. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE THRU THE WINDSHIELD AS THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN HIP AND FACE LACERATION AS HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AS A CLAIM WAS FILED. HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. *DT

Mileage: 89,000

20200813CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER WHEEL AND WITHIN SECONDS HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPING OVER. THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE SLID ON THE WET ROADWAY DUE TO THE RAIN. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE THRU THE WINDSHIELD AS THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN HIP AND FACE LACERATION AS HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AS A CLAIM WAS FILED. HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. *DT

Mileage: 89,000

20190209AIR BAGS

THIS WEB SITE (THE NHTSA) SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VIN, BUT TOYOTA/LEXUS SITE SAYS THERE IS, FOR THE AIRBAGS. THIS MISLEADING INFORMATION ON A GOVERNMENT WEB SITE CAN BE DANGEROUS.

Mileage: 56,000

20180806AIR BAGS

N/A

20180404STRUCTURE:BODY

1. BODY PAINT HAS DETERIORATED GREATLY ON ROOF, FRONT HOOD AND TRUNK, PICTURES ATTACHED. 2. LEATHER SEATS DETERIORATED. DRIVER SEAT BROKE IN VARIOUS PARTS. PASSENGER AND REAR SEATS ALSO DETERIORATING. PICTURES ATTACHED. DATE RECORDED ON THE WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN FIELD IS AN APPROXIMATE WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED THE IMPLICATION OF THESE ISSUES.

20180404SEATS

1. BODY PAINT HAS DETERIORATED GREATLY ON ROOF, FRONT HOOD AND TRUNK, PICTURES ATTACHED. 2. LEATHER SEATS DETERIORATED. DRIVER SEAT BROKE IN VARIOUS PARTS. PASSENGER AND REAR SEATS ALSO DETERIORATING. PICTURES ATTACHED. DATE RECORDED ON THE WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN FIELD IS AN APPROXIMATE WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED THE IMPLICATION OF THESE ISSUES.

20180214AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - NO INCIDENT YET

Mileage: 29,300

20180130UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EXPLODING SUNROOF

Mileage: 80,000

20171119AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - HAVE CALLED THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND SAYS PARTS AREN'T AVAILABLE

Mileage: 56,000

20171115AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JULY 2016. RECEIVED NO CONTACT FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT SCHEDULING REPAIRS. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN MARCH 2017. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS DUE TO LACK OF REPLACEMENT PARTS. MY VEHICLE IS SEVEN YEARS OLD, AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION PUBLISHED REGARDING DEGRADATION OF THE ORIGINAL AIRBAGS, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY VEHICLE IS IN GREATER DANGER OF HAVING DEFECTIVE AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS AIRBAGS. AS A RESULT, I REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT OR LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS COULD BE MADE TO MY VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED BY A LOCAL DEALER REPRESENTATIVE TO ARRANGE ONE, BUT WAS NEVER CONTACTED THEREAFTER. MANUFACTURER CASE NUMBER IS 1701061699.

20171107UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE JUST OUTSIDE BEAUMONT, TEXAS ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT OR AN EXPLOSION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE, I NOTICED MY SUNROOF COVER SHAKING AND WIND COMING THROUGH THE TOP OF MY CAR. I PULLED THE COVER BACK JUST A LITTLE AND NOTICED SHATTERED GLASS. WHEN I PULLED OVER AT THE NEXT SERVICE STATION, I GOT OUT AND REALIZED MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. I CONTACTED LEXUS AND THEY PRETENDED TO BE SURPRISED; HOWEVER, AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE SUNROOF REPAIRED, BUT NOT BY LEXUS. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REPAIR IT TO THE TUNE OF $2,000. THE SUNROOF REPAIR COMPANY WHERE I TOOK MY CAR REPAIRED IT FOR A FRACTION OF THAT. THIS MORNING I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM LEXUS CORPORATE OFFICE STATING THAT THE DAMAGED SUNROOF WAS DUE TO "IMPACT," WHICH IS NOT TRUE. OF COURSE, LEXUS IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR

Mileage: 83,000

20171012AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. JM FAMILY ENTERPRISES (LEXUS) OF COCONUT CREEK, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THAT THE CONTACT COULD LEASE A VEHICLE AS AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED IT IS NOT SAFE FOR A PASSENGER TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT, MAKING THE CAR, ESSENTIALLY, USELESS FOR US. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNUSABLE. UPDATED 7/27/18*JB

20171006AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LEXUS OF JACKSONVILLE (10259 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE FL) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20171006AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (STERLING MCCALL LEXUS, 10025 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074 (713) 995-2600) STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20171004AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (LEXUS OF MEMPHIS, 2600 RIDGEWAY RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38119) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER AND WOULD CALL THE CONTACT WHEN PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20171002AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED STERLING MCCALL LEXUS (10025 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074; 713-995-2600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *LN CONSUMER STATED A NEW AIRBAG PART WAS INSTALLED 10/12/17 THUR 10/13/17 A LOANER CAR WAS PROVIDED. YOU MAY CLOSE THIS CASE. UPDATED 7/24/18*JB *TR

20170915AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED LEXUS OF NEW ORLEANS (811 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70003 (504) 207-3100) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE/PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170912AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: MANUF. SAID TAKE CAR IN FOR AIR BAG/ NONE AVAILABLE...HAVE PASSANGER RIDE IN BACK SEAT!! WIFE TIED OF RIDING IN BACK SEAT/ AND WITH GRAND CHILDREN SHE HAS TO RIDE IN FRONT SEAT.

20170911AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED WESTSIDE LEXUS (12000 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77079; 281-558-3030) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED ONCE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20170911AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. AFTER CONDUCTING A VIN LOOK UP ON THE SAFERCAR.GOV WEBSITE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NORTH PARK LEXUS AT DOMINION (21531 INTERSTATE 10 W FRONTAGE RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78257, (210) 987-5669) WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME FOR THE REMEDY PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Compare 2011LEXUSES350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 LEXUS ES350 have?
The 2011 LEXUS ES350 has 161 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 LEXUS ES350?
The 2011 LEXUS ES350 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 LEXUS ES350?
Yes, the 2011 LEXUS ES350 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 LEXUS ES350?
The most-complained component for the 2011 LEXUS ES350 is AIR BAGS with 145 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 LEXUS ES350 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 LEXUS ES350 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.