LEXUS IS · model year

2011 LEXUS IS

18 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011LEXUSIS carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 IS is air bags with 7 filings, followed by structure:body (2) and engine (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.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2011 IS. 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.

18
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

18 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS7
STRUCTURE:BODY2
ENGINE2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
SEATS1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN1
STEERING1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recent Complaints

20260219VISIBILITY/WIPER

The dashboard on our vehicle has started to "melt." While there was a warranty enhancement program in the past (we did not receive notice), the problem has developed after the window for repair closed. This is a true safety issue now as visibility from the front windshield is hindered due to reflection. The dealer has asked us to contact Lexus and Lexus will not help us anymore, stating this is an out of pocket repair. Given that this is a known defect and a potentially serious safety issue, I urge you to initiate a true recall.

20260219STRUCTURE:BODY

The dashboard on our vehicle has started to "melt." While there was a warranty enhancement program in the past (we did not receive notice), the problem has developed after the window for repair closed. This is a true safety issue now as visibility from the front windshield is hindered due to reflection. The dealer has asked us to contact Lexus and Lexus will not help us anymore, stating this is an out of pocket repair. Given that this is a known defect and a potentially serious safety issue, I urge you to initiate a true recall.

20260219UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The dashboard on our vehicle has started to "melt." While there was a warranty enhancement program in the past (we did not receive notice), the problem has developed after the window for repair closed. This is a true safety issue now as visibility from the front windshield is hindered due to reflection. The dealer has asked us to contact Lexus and Lexus will not help us anymore, stating this is an out of pocket repair. Given that this is a known defect and a potentially serious safety issue, I urge you to initiate a true recall.

20220930VISIBILITY/WIPER

The dashboard is defective in that it melts when exposed to heat and becomes sticky. Although initially it started off as a cosmetic issue, the melting of the dashboard causes it to be very glossy to the point where it reflects onto the front windshield and creates a blind spot on the front windshield when driving. This poses an immediate safety hazard when driving as it's sometimes difficult to see objects that are right in front of the car while driving. The defective dashboard has been confirmed by the dealer and manufacturer. Although the manufacturer issued a customer support program to replace the dashboard, it was not a mandatory recall and the support program has since expired. Additionally, the support program initially described the malfunction as only a cosmetic issue. However, over time, this cosmetic issue has started to impact drivability in certain conditions while putting the driver and others at risk.

20220121ENGINE

Valley Plate Leak. The Valley Plate Leaks are notorious on this vehicle. There have been several forums about it.

20210515AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS MODEL. ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CONTACT VIA INSTRUCTIONS ON RECALL LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER. WAS INFORMED SOMEONE WOULD BE OUT TO REPAIR IT AND NO ONE SHOWED UP.

20200921STEERING

FIRST STARTED WITH STEERING GETTING STUCK A BIT WHILE CHANGING LANES NOW THE ELECTRIC RACK AND PINION MAKES NOISE STEERING LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE PARKING IN AND OUT ALSO WHILE DRIVING.

Mileage: 77,000

20200205ENGINE

FUEL IS NOT DELIVERED TO FIRING CHAMBER DUE TO FAILURE OF FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THIS WILL CAUSE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHEN ON THE ROAD. NO OBD-II CODE IS PRESENT SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WILL PUT THE CAR IN PROTECTED MODE, NO CODE CAN BE READ. WHEN ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, IT WILL HAVE NO POWER TO STEERING OR BRAKE SYSTEM, PUT DRIVER IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND OUT AFTER ARRIVING HOME. THE PROBLEM APPEARED THE NEXT MORNING.

Mileage: 115,000

20200205FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL IS NOT DELIVERED TO FIRING CHAMBER DUE TO FAILURE OF FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THIS WILL CAUSE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHEN ON THE ROAD. NO OBD-II CODE IS PRESENT SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WILL PUT THE CAR IN PROTECTED MODE, NO CODE CAN BE READ. WHEN ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, IT WILL HAVE NO POWER TO STEERING OR BRAKE SYSTEM, PUT DRIVER IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND OUT AFTER ARRIVING HOME. THE PROBLEM APPEARED THE NEXT MORNING.

Mileage: 115,000

20200205POWER TRAIN

FUEL IS NOT DELIVERED TO FIRING CHAMBER DUE TO FAILURE OF FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THIS WILL CAUSE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHEN ON THE ROAD. NO OBD-II CODE IS PRESENT SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WILL PUT THE CAR IN PROTECTED MODE, NO CODE CAN BE READ. WHEN ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, IT WILL HAVE NO POWER TO STEERING OR BRAKE SYSTEM, PUT DRIVER IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND OUT AFTER ARRIVING HOME. THE PROBLEM APPEARED THE NEXT MORNING.

Mileage: 115,000

20191108STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DOOR PANELS AND DASH BOARD GETS STICKY AND MELT OVER THE YEARS AND THE SEATS STARTS TO TEAR AND BECOME LOOSE

20191108SEATS

THE DOOR PANELS AND DASH BOARD GETS STICKY AND MELT OVER THE YEARS AND THE SEATS STARTS TO TEAR AND BECOME LOOSE

20171231AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - MY CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, BUT THE RECALL WILL NOT ACTUALLY SHOW UP IN THE SYSTEM- IT SOUNDS LIKE IT ONLY HAPPENS IN 2019 - WHICH IS GREATER THAN 6 YEARS AFTER THE CAR WAS PUT IN SERVICE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS AND LOSS OF VALUE TO THE CAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN PA BUT WILL BE MOVING TO WARMER WEATHER CLIMATE AND THIS WILL CAUSE THE DEGRADATION TO HAPPEN MORE RAPIDLY. LEXUS REPORTS THERE ARE NO ISSUES, WHICH IS NOT TRUE ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN WEBSITE.

20170808AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - ON THE WEBPAGE HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/RECALL-SPOTLIGHT/TAKATA-AIR-BAGS, THE 2011 LEXUS IS250 AWD IS SHOWN TO BE INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL, HOWEVER WHEN SEARCHING BY THE VIN, NO RECALLS ARE SPECIFIED. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL INFORMATION FROM LEXUS. PLEASE ADVISE IF THE CAR IS INCLUDED ACTUALLY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 40,000

20170109AIR BAGS

NHTSA RECALL # 16V-340 I WAS INFORMED IN WRITING OVER 6 MONTHS AGO. NOTHING FURTHER HAS HAPPENED SINCE. THE AIR BAGS SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY IF DEFECTIVE! I'M FILING A COMPLAINT THAT LEXUS IS TAKING TOO LONG. BASED ON ATTACHED SCREENSHOT, THEIR EXCUSE IS: "RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE" NOT ACCEPTABLE.

20161106AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. THIS RECALL IS TAKING TOO LONG AND THERE IS NO RESOLUTION DATE PROPOSED. I AM TRYING TO TRADE-IN OR SELL MY VEHICLE AND RECEIVE OFFERS $4000 OR MORE LESS THEN KBB VALUE. I DON'T WANT TO USE THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. THE REAR SEATS ARE NOT CONVENIENT IN THE IS250C MODEL AS IT IS A TWO DOOR AND THE REAR SEATS OFFER A CRAMPED SPACE FOR PASSENGERS.

20160905AIR BAGS

LEXUS NOTIFIED ME IN MAY 2016 OF A RECALL FOR TAKATA AIRBAGS, BUT HAS NOT TAKEN DEFINITIVE ACTION TO REPLACE MY AIRBAG SO MY CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE.

20160716AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

Compare 2011LEXUSIS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 LEXUS IS have?
The 2011 LEXUS IS has 18 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 LEXUS IS?
The most-complained component for the 2011 LEXUS IS is AIR BAGS with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and ENGINE.
Is the 2011 LEXUS IS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. 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.