Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Lexus ES350 problems
Owners filed 197 complaints about the 2011 Lexus ES350 with NHTSA between Oct 2011 and Dec 2024. The most-cited component is air bags (172).
Complaints
197
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags172
- Structure7
- Electrical system6
- Vehicle speed control5
- Service brakes4
- Engine3
- Visibility/wiper2
- Steering2
- Seats2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Suspension1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Exterior lighting1
- Equipment1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
4
1
3
4
42
121
6
1
2
1
1
2
5
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 42 |
| 2017 | 121 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
172 reports10 crashes3 related recalls
“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.”
Structure
7 reports2 crashes
“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 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…”
Electrical system
6 reports1 crash
“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.”
Vehicle speed control
5 reports5 crashes
“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. *DT”
Service brakes
4 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Engine
3 reports2 crashes
“MY LEXUS ES 350 ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HWY W/O PRIOR NOTIFICATION OF ANY ERROR MESSAGES. MECHANIC SAID DIAGNOSTICS POINTED TO COOLING SYSTEM ERROR - WATER PUMP RELATED. THE PUMP WAS REPAIRED. CAR TEMP LIGHT WOULD FLUCTUATE FROM COLD TO HOT BACK TO COLD. MECHANIC SAID COOLING SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE FUNCTIONING BUT SENSORY GAUGE STILL FLUCTUATING. DEALER MECHANIC SAID WATER PUMP NEEDED TO REPLACED BUT THIS WAS ALREADY DONE. THEN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WARPED. NOW CAR NEEDS ENGINE. CAR INITIALLY SHUT DOWN ON HIGHWAY W/O WARNING.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.