Total Complaints
161 filings
LEXUS ES350 · model year
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.
Total Complaints
161 filings
Crashes Reported
12 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 145 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
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
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
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
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
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
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
N/A
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.
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.
TAKATA RECALL - NO INCIDENT YET
Mileage: 29,300
EXPLODING SUNROOF
Mileage: 80,000
TAKATA RECALL - HAVE CALLED THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND SAYS PARTS AREN'T AVAILABLE
Mileage: 56,000
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.