Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Lexus ES owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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, 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 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 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 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 have called and contacted Lexus many times regarding the problem with my Lexus car. I have followed up and done all the required feedback needed in order for Lexus to assist me. I feel that customers do not really matter because of the length of time Lexus is taking to ensure the safety of the people who drive the vehicles when there May be a serious matter. The car manual states one thing and Lexus does not even abide by the car alerts and does not appear to care if the customer is safe or not. I have taken my car to 3 different car maintenance shops regarding the tire pressure light and I have replaced many sensors and the light continue not to go off. The brakes in my car totally went out and caused an accident. . I have been told also what about the air bag. Why did Lexus not contact me to take my car in for air bag replacement because it did not deploy in the accident. …
Takata recall. Date of the recall is 5/23/16. Today is 2/27/17. Lexus' advice is to not allow anyone to ride in the passenger seat until the airbag is replaced. Lexus told me today they have no scheduled date for when Takata will have the replacement airbag available for my model. 10 months (with no repair date scheduled) is unreasonable and unacceptable while having to avoid having a passenger ride in the front seat. And I see only 28% of the Lexus vehicles have had the passenger airbags replace thus far. So my complaint is that the action being taken by NHTSA and Lexus, and the urgency by Takata are unacceptable. It is approaching a year now that we will been asked to ride in a potentially unsafe vehicle. Absurd.
Takata recall. When do they propose to do something since it has been over a year since I received the notice. It is nice that they say don't drive with an occupant in the front passenger seat. However, not everyone has the luxury of doing this. Maybe Lexus executives have multiple vehicles so they do not have to have passengers ride with them. If that is their solution, the ceo of Lexus can lend me one of his cars until they get around to fixing mine.
Lexus has not been able to resolve the issue with my passenger front airbag since May of 2016. I understand to some degree the delay caused by the massive number of issues with the Takata corporation's products, however this has prevented the use of my front passenger seat for over 7 months with no end in sight. This seems unacceptable for any manufacturer, particularly one of the stature of 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. 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.
Takata recall we received the recall notice over 14 months ago and a remedy has not yet been made available. The rental car offered until the remedy was available did not match the type and standard of the vehicle affected or its safgety equipment -- no problem with airbag yet but wondering if it only a matter of time
Airbag complaints in other ES years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Lexus ES?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Lexus ES, 59% of the model year's 46 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Lexus ES airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2011 Lexus ES. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Lexus ES airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.