Most common 2011 Lexus ES350 problems
Share of the 153 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus ES350 complaints by model year
Best ES350 years: 2018, 2014, 2015. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2009, 2010. Compare all years →
2011 Lexus ES350 recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver 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 GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
Remedy: 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.
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, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: 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.
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, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and…
Remedy: 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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Lexus ES350:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2011 Lexus ES350 owners say
Air bags all 145 →
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. While driving at 15 MPH, the driver rear ended the preceding vehicle. The driver side air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the head and medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
Electrical system
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 16V340000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact received the recall notification in June of 2016. The dealer (Lexus of orange park, 7040 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl,) stated that the parts were unavailable for repair. The manufacturer was also contacted and confirmed that the parts were unavailable and that when the dealer received the parts she would be informed. In addition, the contact stated that the entire dashboard melted causing a sticky surface that reflects off the window, which at times impaired her vision. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Extremely dangerous right front passenger grasps top of door frame to close door. Driver closes window but is unable to stop window from closing. Once it starts it can't be stopped nor is there a safety stop such as that found in garage or elevator doors. Window crushes finger of passenger and flesh is torn. Flesh retrieved and sewn in emergency room but hospital surgery required 3 weeks later on right ring finger. Potential death trap! Imagine if it closes on a child, a dog, or object.
2011 Lexus ES350 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Lexus ES350 a good car?
Based on 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 ES350 rates avoid: 2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the ES350 at the same age. It is one of the ES350 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Lexus ES350?
The air bags — 145 complaints, 95% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (3) and speed control & acceleration (2).
How many recalls does the 2011 Lexus ES350 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2011 Lexus ES350, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus ES350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2014 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2009 and 2010. See the full Lexus ES350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Lexus ES350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 48% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.