Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2011 Lexus GX460Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints for the 2011 Lexus GX460. Most complaints involve air bags (22) and engine (6). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
36
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V005000

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported May 23, 2016NHTSA 16V340000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

36 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2011 – Apr 2025
  1. Air bags22
  2. Engine6
  3. Steering3
  4. Structure2
  5. Power train2
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each GX460 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201038
201136
201211
20137
201421
201511
20169
201715
20189
20198
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

22 reports
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS GX460. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LEXUS OF TOWSON, 1040 YORK RD, TOWSON, MD 21204, (410) 769-9400) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE CLAIM NEEDS TO BE DISREGARD AT THE DEALER, LEXUS OF TOWSON; THE TAKATA PARTS ARE AVAILABILE NOW THEY ARE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 8/3/18*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2017Air bagsODI 11040340

Engine

6 reports
“THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A LEAKING VALLEY PLATE AND CAM TOWER COVER WITH LITTLE OVER 82,000 MILES ON IT. AN ONLINE SEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SHARED ACROSS THE LEXUS (GX460) AND TOYOTA (TUNDRA) PLATFORMS WITH THIS ENGINE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2020EngineODI 11360504

Steering

3 reports
“VEHICLE DRIVES FINE AT LOW SPEEDS. AT HIGHWAY SPEED 65 MPH AND UP STEERING WHEEL FEELS LIKE TRYING TO MOVE A SPINNING GYRO. THE VEHICLE WANTS TO CONTINUE IN THE DIRECTION IT IS GOING. REQUIRES BOTH HANDS TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITH ONE HAND. HAD LEXUS INVESTIGATE PROBLEM THEY RECENTLY GAVE UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER GX460 VEHICLES WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW HAS 28,000 MILES STILL SAME PROBLEM. WE STOPPED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE ONLY USE THIS VEHICLE AROUND TOWN WORKS OK AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2014SteeringODI 10594019
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
GX 460
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
152017$4,700523
  • GX 460
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Lexus GX460 as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 433
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 GX460 questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Lexus GX460 have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Lexus GX460 problems?

Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (22), engine (6), steering (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Lexus GX460 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Lexus GX460 at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026