2011 Lexus ES
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Lexus ES has 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (47% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall: information from lexus dealer is parts to correct the recalled air bag problem will not be available till january 2017. this is totally unacceptable and unreasonable to expect the customer to wait five or six months for repairs..
59
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
AIR BAGS
28 complaints- • TAKATA RECALL: INFORMATION FROM LEXUS DEALER IS PARTS TO CORRECT THE RECALLED AIR BAG PROBLEM WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TILL JANUARY 2017. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THE CUSTOMER TO WAIT FIVE OR SIX MONTHS FOR REPAIRS.
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES-R350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILUR
- • I WAS NOTIFIED IN JULY OF 2016 I CALLED THEM TWICE IN TAMPA FLORIDA. TO THIS DATE THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THEM AGAIN IN JANUARY 2017. THIS IS ALMOST SIX MONTHS SINCE I WAS NOTIFIED I HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. AND I LIVE IN FLORIDA WHERE IT IS VERY HOT AND HUMID IN THE CAR IT CAN GET O
“TAKATA RECALL: INFORMATION FROM LEXUS DEALER IS PARTS TO CORRECT THE RECALLED AIR BAG PROBLEM WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TILL JANUARY 2017. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THE CUSTOMER TO WAIT FIVE OR SIX MONTHS FOR REPAIRS.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BODY/STRUCTURE
6 complaints- • AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN, AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT AS IF LOCKED IN TO THE RIGHT HAND POSITION, HIT A TREE AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP BY HITTING HIGH CONCRETE
- • AT APPROXIMATELY 7:23 PM ON JULY 8, 2012, WHILE PARKING IN THE PARKING LOT OF OUR LOCAL CHURCH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CAR WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP, WHEN THIS SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OCCURRED. AT THAT TIME LOTS OF PEOPLE WERE EXITING THE CHURCH AND WALKING TOW
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION EMERGING FROM THE FRONTAL DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH
“AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN, AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT AS IF LOCKED IN TO THE RIGHT HAND POSITION, HIT A TREE AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP BY HITTING HIGH CONCRETE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
4 complaints- • CAPABILITY OF LEXUS ES 350 YEAR 2007: IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ONE TO BE LOCKED OUT OF ONE'S CAR WITH THE SMART KEY IN THE CABIN OR IN THE TRUNK. IF THE SMART KEY WERE IN THE CABIN, ONE COULD NOT LOCK THE DOORS AND WOULD BE ALERTED WITH LOUD CONTINUOUS SIGNAL. IF THE SMART KEY WERE IN THE TRUNK, ONE
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FORGOT TO SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A PUSH TO START AND STOP FEATURE. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR SOUNDED. THE DRIVER SUFFERED CARBON
- • AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN, AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT AS IF LOCKED IN TO THE RIGHT HAND POSITION, HIT A TREE AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP BY HITTING HIGH CONCRETE
“CAPABILITY OF LEXUS ES 350 YEAR 2007: IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ONE TO BE LOCKED OUT OF ONE'S CAR WITH THE SMART KEY IN THE CABIN OR IN THE TRUNK. IF THE SMART KEY WERE IN THE CABIN, ONE COULD NOT LOCK THE DOORS AND WOULD BE ALERTED WITH LOUD CONTINUOUS SIGNAL. IF THE SMART KEY WERE IN THE TRUNK, ONE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
3 complaints- • CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CHANGES MADE TO 2011 LEXUS ES 350 VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SOMEONE USUALLY DRIVES HER VEHICLE, TO ONE LOCATION, AND LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE CAR, SO SHE CAN PICK IT UP WHEN SHE ARRIVES. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER, IT IS NO LONGER AN OPTION
- • THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING WHICH RESULTS IN THE NOXIOUS CHEMICAL SMELL AND ADHESIVE COMPOUND THAT IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH.
- • 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, ou
“CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CHANGES MADE TO 2011 LEXUS ES 350 VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SOMEONE USUALLY DRIVES HER VEHICLE, TO ONE LOCATION, AND LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE CAR, SO SHE CAN PICK IT UP WHEN SHE ARRIVES. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER, IT IS NO LONGER AN OPTION”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SPEED CONTROL
3 complaints- • AT ABOUT 2:00 PM ON DEC 26, 2011, WHILE PARKING IN A PUBLIC COVERED GARAGE, I TURNED INTO THE PARKING SPACE, POSITIONED MY CAR, AND WAS ABOUT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WHEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT OF ME. THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR, MY 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, ALSO A LI
- • AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN, AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT AS IF LOCKED IN TO THE RIGHT HAND POSITION, HIT A TREE AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP BY HITTING HIGH CONCRETE
- • AT APPROXIMATELY 7:23 PM ON JULY 8, 2012, WHILE PARKING IN THE PARKING LOT OF OUR LOCAL CHURCH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CAR WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP, WHEN THIS SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OCCURRED. AT THAT TIME LOTS OF PEOPLE WERE EXITING THE CHURCH AND WALKING TOW
“AT ABOUT 2:00 PM ON DEC 26, 2011, WHILE PARKING IN A PUBLIC COVERED GARAGE, I TURNED INTO THE PARKING SPACE, POSITIONED MY CAR, AND WAS ABOUT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WHEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT OF ME. THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR, MY 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, ALSO A LI”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 59 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL: INFORMATION FROM LEXUS DEALER IS PARTS TO CORRECT THE RECALLED AIR BAG PROBLEM WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TILL JANUARY 2017. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THE CUSTOMER TO WAIT FIVE OR SIX MONTHS FOR REPAIRS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN, AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT AS IF LOCKED IN TO THE RIGHT HAND POSITION, HIT A TREE AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP BY HITTING HIGH CONCRETE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: CAPABILITY OF LEXUS ES 350 YEAR 2007: IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ONE TO BE LOCKED OUT OF ONE'S CAR WITH THE SMART KEY IN THE CABIN OR IN THE TRUNK. IF THE SMART KEY WERE IN THE CABIN, ONE COULD NOT LOCK THE DOORS AND WOULD BE ALERTED WITH LOUD CONTINUOUS SIGNAL. IF THE SMART KEY WERE IN THE TRUNK, ONE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CHANGES MADE TO 2011 LEXUS ES 350 VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SOMEONE USUALLY DRIVES HER VEHICLE, TO ONE LOCATION, AND LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE CAR, SO SHE CAN PICK IT UP WHEN SHE ARRIVES. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER, IT IS NO LONGER AN OPTION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lexus ES — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 59
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 12
- Injury reports
- 5
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Lexus ES