Total Complaints
49 filings
LEXUS RX350 · model year
49 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011LEXUSRX350 carries 49 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 26 crashes, 4 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 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 RX350 is service brakes with 9 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (8) and engine (7). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 RX350. 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
49 filings
Crashes Reported
26 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 9 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 8 |
| ENGINE | 7 |
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 LEXUS RX350 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 30, 2010, THROUGH MAY 18, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE DYNAMICS INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT (VDIM). THE CALIBRATION FOR THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVES IS INCORRECT. DUE TO THIS CONDITION, THERE IS A POSSIBIL
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the AWD and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the oil cooler line was leaking. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to an authorized Lexus dealer for assistance. The contact expressed concerns that the failure could have resulted in loss of vehicle control due to traction, as well as a potential for the vehicle to catch on fire due to the oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Mileage: 118,000
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the AWD and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the oil cooler line was leaking. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to an authorized Lexus dealer for assistance. The contact expressed concerns that the failure could have resulted in loss of vehicle control due to traction, as well as a potential for the vehicle to catch on fire due to the oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Mileage: 118,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE POLICE WAS ALSO PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A THIRD PARTY COMPANY EVALUATED IT, THEY DIAGNOSTIC WAS UNKNOWN CAUSE FOR THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Mileage: 129,000
MY 2011 LEXUS RX350 HAS RUBBER OIL COOLER HOSE AND LEXUS USA WILL NOT REPLACE THE PRESSURIZED RUBBER HOSE DESPITE KNOWN INCIDENTS OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE PART. ON SOME RX350 MODELS, LEXUS HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT IN CASE THE PART IS LEAKING OIL, BUT I WAS TOLD BY LEXUS THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. BUT EVEN IF I HAD THE WARRANTY, LEXUS WILL NOT PREEMPTIVELY REPLACE THE PART, DESPITE 1) SAFETY CONCERN OF FAILURE ON HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND FIRE HAZARD RISK, 2) POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AS THE LINE WOULD RUPTURE AND ALL OIL WOULD BE LOST WITHIN SECONDS AND ENGINE WOULD SEIZE AND 3) POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE OF LOSS 6.4 QUARTS OF OIL OVER ROADWAYS. PLEASE CONSIDER ADVISING LEXUS TO DO A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL RUBBER OIL COOLER HOSE PARTS. THANK YOU.
Mileage: 75,600
CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT
Mileage: 43,000
PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN BACK OF HOUSE, BESIDE DECK AFTER SHORT TRIP TO STORE. SMELLED A MELTING SMELL OUTSIDE. MAYBE FIVE MINUTES LATER THE SMELL STARTED COMING INSIDE THE HOUSE. WE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND THOUGHT THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. WE WENT OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SPRAYED CAR WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WHICH DID NOTHING, THEN USED WATER HOSE TO SPRAY FRONT OF CAR TO KEEP FROM THE HOUSE CATCHING ON FIRE. CAR WAS MAKING POPPING NOISES, LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE AND STRONG SMELL. ALL NEIGHBORS CAME OVER IT WAS STRONG. FIRE DEPARTMENT SPENT OVER AN HOUR PUTTING OUT FIRE AND USED THEIR WHOLE TANK OF WATER. FRONT END MELTED, TIRES POPPED, DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD DESTROYED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN
Mileage: 97,000
PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN BACK OF HOUSE, BESIDE DECK AFTER SHORT TRIP TO STORE. SMELLED A MELTING SMELL OUTSIDE. MAYBE FIVE MINUTES LATER THE SMELL STARTED COMING INSIDE THE HOUSE. WE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND THOUGHT THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. WE WENT OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SPRAYED CAR WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WHICH DID NOTHING, THEN USED WATER HOSE TO SPRAY FRONT OF CAR TO KEEP FROM THE HOUSE CATCHING ON FIRE. CAR WAS MAKING POPPING NOISES, LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE AND STRONG SMELL. ALL NEIGHBORS CAME OVER IT WAS STRONG. FIRE DEPARTMENT SPENT OVER AN HOUR PUTTING OUT FIRE AND USED THEIR WHOLE TANK OF WATER. FRONT END MELTED, TIRES POPPED, DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD DESTROYED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN
Mileage: 97,000
PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN BACK OF HOUSE, BESIDE DECK AFTER SHORT TRIP TO STORE. SMELLED A MELTING SMELL OUTSIDE. MAYBE FIVE MINUTES LATER THE SMELL STARTED COMING INSIDE THE HOUSE. WE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND THOUGHT THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. WE WENT OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SPRAYED CAR WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WHICH DID NOTHING, THEN USED WATER HOSE TO SPRAY FRONT OF CAR TO KEEP FROM THE HOUSE CATCHING ON FIRE. CAR WAS MAKING POPPING NOISES, LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE AND STRONG SMELL. ALL NEIGHBORS CAME OVER IT WAS STRONG. FIRE DEPARTMENT SPENT OVER AN HOUR PUTTING OUT FIRE AND USED THEIR WHOLE TANK OF WATER. FRONT END MELTED, TIRES POPPED, DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD DESTROYED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN
Mileage: 97,000
12/7/2017 I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK AT 1 PM. I SLOWED DOWN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I WAS PUTTING IT INTO THE PARK POSITION WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND AND PUT A HOLE IN THE GARAGE DOOR AND KNOCKED IT OFF TRACK.I WAS STUNNED & SURPRISED.MY HUSBAND AND I COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS ACTION. ON 12/14/17 I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AT FOY PARK IN BURBANK CA. I SLOWLY PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE ,MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS I PUT THE CAR INTO THE PARK POSITION THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR TOOK OFF OVER A CEMENT PARKING BLOCK AND OVER THE CURB, WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND LANDED IN THE BRUSH WITH 3 WHEELS OFF THE GROUND AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ON 12/15/17 THE DAY AFTER I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 2 PM. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT DID THE SAME [XXX] THING AND 5 FEET MY FRIEND [XXX] WITNESSED IT. THAT WAS IT FOR ME I HAD IT TOWED TO KEYES LEXUS TOYOTA AND NEVER DROVE IT AGAIN. KEYES SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTH
Mileage: 66,437
12/7/2017 I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK AT 1 PM. I SLOWED DOWN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I WAS PUTTING IT INTO THE PARK POSITION WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND AND PUT A HOLE IN THE GARAGE DOOR AND KNOCKED IT OFF TRACK.I WAS STUNNED & SURPRISED.MY HUSBAND AND I COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS ACTION. ON 12/14/17 I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AT FOY PARK IN BURBANK CA. I SLOWLY PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE ,MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS I PUT THE CAR INTO THE PARK POSITION THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR TOOK OFF OVER A CEMENT PARKING BLOCK AND OVER THE CURB, WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND LANDED IN THE BRUSH WITH 3 WHEELS OFF THE GROUND AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ON 12/15/17 THE DAY AFTER I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 2 PM. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT DID THE SAME [XXX] THING AND 5 FEET MY FRIEND [XXX] WITNESSED IT. THAT WAS IT FOR ME I HAD IT TOWED TO KEYES LEXUS TOYOTA AND NEVER DROVE IT AGAIN. KEYES SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTH
Mileage: 66,437
12/7/2017 I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK AT 1 PM. I SLOWED DOWN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I WAS PUTTING IT INTO THE PARK POSITION WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND AND PUT A HOLE IN THE GARAGE DOOR AND KNOCKED IT OFF TRACK.I WAS STUNNED & SURPRISED.MY HUSBAND AND I COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS ACTION. ON 12/14/17 I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AT FOY PARK IN BURBANK CA. I SLOWLY PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE ,MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS I PUT THE CAR INTO THE PARK POSITION THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR TOOK OFF OVER A CEMENT PARKING BLOCK AND OVER THE CURB, WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND LANDED IN THE BRUSH WITH 3 WHEELS OFF THE GROUND AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ON 12/15/17 THE DAY AFTER I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 2 PM. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT DID THE SAME [XXX] THING AND 5 FEET MY FRIEND [XXX] WITNESSED IT. THAT WAS IT FOR ME I HAD IT TOWED TO KEYES LEXUS TOYOTA AND NEVER DROVE IT AGAIN. KEYES SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTH
Mileage: 66,437
I HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS TO FIX AIRBAG
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 LEXUS RX350. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 50 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL AND REVERSED AT 50 MPH. THE CONTACT SWITCHED THE GEAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE WALL AGAIN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,557. *LN UPDATED 10/1/18*JB
Mileage: 59,557
AS I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AND HIT A BUILDING THEN WENT BACKWARDS. I MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR FROM REVERSING INTO THE STREET BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. IT HIT THE BUILDING A SECOND TIME. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STOPPED. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INFLATED AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. TOYOTA TOOK NO BLAME FOR THE ACCIDENT AND I'M LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THIS CAR IS IN A GROUP OF RECALLED CARS, LEXUS DOES NOT HAVE RECORDS OF EVER RECALLING THIS TRUCK
Mileage: 59,000
AS I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AND HIT A BUILDING THEN WENT BACKWARDS. I MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR FROM REVERSING INTO THE STREET BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. IT HIT THE BUILDING A SECOND TIME. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STOPPED. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INFLATED AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. TOYOTA TOOK NO BLAME FOR THE ACCIDENT AND I'M LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THIS CAR IS IN A GROUP OF RECALLED CARS, LEXUS DOES NOT HAVE RECORDS OF EVER RECALLING THIS TRUCK
Mileage: 59,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE IDLING AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AGAIN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE SECOND CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST ACCIDENT WAS 2016 CONSUMER INJURED HIS SHOULDER AND BACK. UPDATED 8/27/18*
Mileage: 80,000
PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU COMPLAINT. WE ARE MAKING THIS COMPLAINT IN ORDER TO DO OUR PART OF ALERTING YOU THAT THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL HAZARD WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THIS CAR. WE DO NOT WANT WHAT HAPPENED TO US TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. THE CAR WAS ON A HIGHWAY IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THANK YOU. *TR
Mileage: 44,000
PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU COMPLAINT. WE ARE MAKING THIS COMPLAINT IN ORDER TO DO OUR PART OF ALERTING YOU THAT THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL HAZARD WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THIS CAR. WE DO NOT WANT WHAT HAPPENED TO US TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. THE CAR WAS ON A HIGHWAY IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THANK YOU. *TR
Mileage: 44,000
PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU COMPLAINT. WE ARE MAKING THIS COMPLAINT IN ORDER TO DO OUR PART OF ALERTING YOU THAT THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL HAZARD WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THIS CAR. WE DO NOT WANT WHAT HAPPENED TO US TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. THE CAR WAS ON A HIGHWAY IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THANK YOU. *TR
Mileage: 44,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Mileage: 62,000
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.