- The problem
- 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 GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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 passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Vehicle safety record
2011 Lexus ES350 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 197 complaints about the 2011 Lexus ES350 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (172) and the body, doors & structure (8). Those complaints describe 13 crashes and 10 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 2019 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2010 has 178 and the 2012 has 116.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical ES350 year, for its age
#48 most complained-about 2011 vehicle
- Complaints
- 197
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 13
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 10
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2011 Lexus ES350 problems
Share of all 197 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2011 Lexus ES350 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
- The problem
- 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, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).
What owners say
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197 complaints about the 2011 Lexus ES350
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 8.
I purchased the car on Feb 9, 2014 at the above Lexus Dealership. $26,596. My dashboard is melting and it's definitely a safety hazard. When materials used in the dashboard are prone to melting or degrading in extreme heat, potentially obstructing the driver's view and impacting visibility. At times I couldn't see and I almost had an accident when the sun reflected in my eyes. It's a defect that Lexus is aware of because they offered to fix it under the Customer Support Program (Takata Economic Loss Class...
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Action Settlement). Furthermore, by way of legal agreement, the ZLZ warranty enhancement coverage extends to my vehicle until January 8, 2026. However, I should not have to rely on this legal agreement to get Lexus to take care of this repair which has been determined as a defective product/material. I contacted Lexus HQ 716-941-2295 on November 21, 2024. Lexus said they would not be responsible. The law recognizes concepts of negligence and strict liability to hold sellers liable for defective goods even when no contract existed. Furthermore, regarding this dashboard defect, there is liability based on the breach of a warranty for the sale of this defective product. Regarding negligence and strict liability, the law has expanded the scope of warranty protections for consumers. This is true both of liability for express promises made by the sellers regarding the quality of products, and the protections the law presumes when sellers offer goods for sale. Lexus knows that when a seller makes a representation at the time of sale regarding the quality of the product, that product is said to be under warranty. Lexus should not continue to avoid responsibility using the excuse of time limitations on the warranty item. Lexus should authorize the repair.
We purchased this vehicle in mid 2018. In October of 2018 Lexus issued a customer support process ZLZ which covered our vehicle for problems with the dashboard. At that time, we had no deterioration of our dashboard so we did not respond. The Lexus program expired in 2021. In the last two years, our dashboard has deteriorated quite substantially becoming sticky and more importantly, becoming very reflective. This condition is a serious safety issue for day and night driving as light reflects up on the windshield...
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and obscures vision out of the windshield. We took the vehicle to Lexus San Diego in August of 2024 and they declined to address the repair as a defect and offered to replace the dashboard for approximately $3000. At that time I called the Lexus Corporate Dept and they said that it could fall under the support program again if they re-opened the program. The representative did not offer any timeline for that happening. I sent correspondence to Lexus Corporate in Oct of 2024 and finally heard back on 11/08/2024 that they would only offer a customer paid fix of approximately $2200.00. The dashboard is definitely defective (soon to be inoperable) and creates a very significant safety problem. I do not understand or agree with Lexus not addressing it properly.
I started my vehicle and drove about 1/2 mile when the car started acting like it was running out of gas. I pulled over and got about 1gallon of gas in a gas can and put it in the vehicle. I turned the car back on and drove about 2 blocks when the vehicle started jumping like it was going to run out of gas again. The vehicle then shut down while I was driving it. I made it to the side of the road and put the vehicle in park and turned off the ignition with the push start button. I tried to start the vehicle again...
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with the push start button and the vehicle would just try to start but just crank and not turn on. This ended up being a fault fuel pump. After some research I was able to find out Lexus had several thousand vehicles of the same year make and model recalled due to a faulty fuel pump that goes out while driving causing a dangerous driving condition which is exactly what occurred in my vehicle. I contacted Lexus and was told my vehicle was not included in the recall which I don't understand due to the fact that my fuel pump went out while was driving. I am requesting this issue be investigated and the vehicle be added to the list of recalled vehicles with faulty fuel pumps
The contact owned a 2011 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle crossed over into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact's wife was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for injuries to her right...
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shoulder, left hip, left femur, and left foot, requiring surgery on her shoulder, hip, and femur. The contact also stated that it was required that a stint be placed in his wife's heart. The contact mentioned the injuries sustained resulted in over $1 million in medical treatment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light was flashing constantly. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Occupant Classification Sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Occupant Classification Sensor needed to be replaced. The...
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vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
I own a 2011 Lexus ES350. I understand there were several times in the past when repairs for a melting dashboard was fixed with no cost to the car owner. I don't recall receiving information on this offer in a timely manner and now the offers have apparently expired. I think most customers were concerned about the cosmetic damage of the dashboard, but I have valid safety concerns. Sometimes when the sun is out, the line of vision is blurred due to the reflection of the melted dashboard. I want this to be repaired before I have an accident.
The contact owned a 2011 Lexus 350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, her vehicle collided with another vehicle that ran a red light at 50 MPH on the front passenger side door. The impact caused the vehicle to careen off the roadway and collide with a billboard support beam where it came to stop. No air bags were deployed. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by emergency services and treated for ocular facial pain,...
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diplopia gaze, and a possible brain aneurysm, resulting in post-concussion syndrome. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 170,000.
The vehicle has severe rust and corrosion underneath affecting the suspension. The brakes and power steering needed repairs but the service would cause even more damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was confirmed by sterling mcall lexus of clear lake. 18160 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77546. and also Firestone Center Pearland 2908 Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77581. This vehicle is unsafe to operate due to the corrosion. An accident may soon occur.
2011 Lexus es. Consumer writes in regards to broken door handle. The consumer stated the outside door handle was broken, the driver's seat cover and outer bolster sections were damaged, and the roof paint was peeling. The manufacturer was notified, but did not offer any assistance.
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...
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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
The dashboard is melting which results in the noxious chemical smell and adhesive compound that is sticky to the touch.
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.
N/A
Supplemental restraint system (srs) warning light is illuminating on instrument panel and does not go out when car is started and driven.
The leather on both driver and passenger seats have failed and split, deteriorated and the leather on the armrest between seats have deteriorated.
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
EXPLODING SUNROOF
"Takata recall", after contacting local lexus dealership I made an appointment on 9/8/2017 to have repairs made, I was told no remedy available per the local lexus dealership (lexus of bellevue). It is now 12/19/2017 and still no repairs or remedy from lexus.
Takata recall; I have major concern relevant to not only the pass/side air bag, but to the driver side air bag also. I request both sides be replaced, unless you can provide data that will confirm there is no issue with drivers side air bag. Dealer/sewell advised my work would be done in sept 17. They have yet to set up an appt for my repairs. Pls help. Thanks
Takata recall - have called the dealer three different times and says parts aren't available
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...
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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...
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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 my vehicle. I suspect they will continue to keep their defective vehicles on the road until an adequate number of people have died from the defects. The general manager of lexus of clear lake reached out to me on this past saturday and asked that I email her, which I did. However, I never heard anything back from her.
Takata recall. We received notice of the takata airbag recall in roughly august of 2016. It said that a passenger should not sit in the passenger seat. My wife and I are retired and always drive together. This recall made our lexus undriveable for the past year and 3 months. There has been no recompensation by lexus.
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...
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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
Lexus ES350: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 16 | 1 | A |
| 2014 | 28 | 1 | B |
| 2013 | 50 | 1 | C |
| 2012 | 116 | 3 | F |
| 2011 | 197 | 3 | F |
| 2010 | 178 | 5 | F |
| 2009 | 173 | 5 | F |
| 2008 | 323 | 5 | F |
| 2007 | 664 | 5 | F |
2011 Lexus ES350 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Lexus ES350 | 197 | 3 | F | |
| 2011 Lexus IS250 | 49 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Lexus IS250C | 49 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Lexus GX460 | 36 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2011 Lexus CT200H | 24 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Lexus IS350 | 23 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2011 Lexus IS350C | 23 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Lexus IS F | 14 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Lexus LS460 | 13 | 0 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2011 Lexus ES350
Does the 2011 Lexus ES350 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Lexus ES350: inflator module (October 2019); inflator module (January 2019); inflator module (May 2016). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Lexus ES350?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (172), body, doors & structure (8), electrical system (6).
How many complaints has the 2011 Lexus ES350 had?
197 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 18, 2011 and the latest on December 5, 2024. Of these, 13 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 10 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2011 Lexus ES350 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 12 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Lexus ES350 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Lexus ES350 years have the most complaints?
2007 (664), 2008 (323), 2011 (197). See every Lexus ES350 year compared.
What should I do if my 2011 Lexus ES350 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data