2011 Lexus ES350

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Lexus ES350 has 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (90% of all complaints), specifically: 2011 lexus es350. consumer writes in regards to vehicle acceleration problems. *smd the consumer stated when her husband moved the gear from park, to drive, the vehicle shot out like a rocket. the vehicle went through and broke an iron gate, smashed some electrical equipment, took down a tree and.

12 crash reports 8 injuries

161

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

145 complaints

90%

• 2011 LEXUS ES350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HER HUSBAND MOVED THE GEAR FROM PARK, TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SHOT OUT LIKE A ROCKET. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH AND BROKE AN IRON GATE, SMASHED SOME ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TOOK DOWN A TREE AND
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED FOR POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME, TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS ON HER LEFT EAR AND SEVERE LEFT SHOULDER, ELBOW, AND KNEE INJURIE
• 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. T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 7 crashes

“2011 LEXUS ES350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HER HUSBAND MOVED THE GEAR FROM PARK, TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SHOT OUT LIKE A ROCKET. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH AND BROKE AN IRON GATE, SMASHED SOME ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TOOK DOWN A TREE AND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

4 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM SCREEN WENT BLACK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT
• MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE IN OCTOBER. THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND 2 SENSOR LIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR A DAY AND CAME BACK ON. THE SHOP THAT REPLACED THE SENSOR SAID TO BRING IT BACK THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WR
• I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE JUST OUTSIDE BEAUMONT, TEXAS ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT OR AN EXPLOSION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE, I NOTICED MY SUNROOF COVER SHAKING AND WIND COMING THROUGH THE TOP OF MY CAR. I PULLED THE COVER BACK JUST A LITTLE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM SCREEN WENT BLACK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

• 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 FLES
• I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE IN APRIL. I CANNOT CONTINUE TO RISK DRIVING MY CAR, IT IS LIKE A TIME BOMB WAITING TO GO OFF. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNHELPFUL, BY SAYING THEY WIIL CALL ME WHEN THEY HAVE A FIX??
• 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, JACKSON

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 FLES”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

• 2011 LEXUS ES350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HER HUSBAND MOVED THE GEAR FROM PARK, TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SHOT OUT LIKE A ROCKET. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH AND BROKE AN IRON GATE, SMASHED SOME ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TOOK DOWN A TREE AND
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

2 complaints

• LEXUS INBOX X [XXX] <[XXX]@GMAIL.COM> 10:23 AM (0 MINUTES AGO) TO ME I OWN A 2011 LEXUS ES 350. ON 12/10/2015 I WAS PARKING IN A CHURCH PARKING LT WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR ROARED LIKE AN AIRPLANE AND SURGED UP A HILL THROUGH AN IRON GATE AT A CEMETERY, DOWNING A STONE PILLAR AND FINALLY COMING
• 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 APP

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“LEXUS INBOX X [XXX] <[XXX]@GMAIL.COM> 10:23 AM (0 MINUTES AGO) TO ME I OWN A 2011 LEXUS ES 350. ON 12/10/2015 I WAS PARKING IN A CHURCH PARKING LT WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR ROARED LIKE AN AIRPLANE AND SURGED UP A HILL THROUGH AN IRON GATE AT A CEMETERY, DOWNING A STONE PILLAR AND FINALLY COMING”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 161 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: 2011 LEXUS ES350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HER HUSBAND MOVED THE GEAR FROM PARK, TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SHOT OUT LIKE A ROCKET. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH AND BROKE AN IRON GATE, SMASHED SOME ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TOOK DOWN A TREE AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM SCREEN WENT BLACK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 FLES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: 2011 LEXUS ES350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HER HUSBAND MOVED THE GEAR FROM PARK, TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SHOT OUT LIKE A ROCKET. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH AND BROKE AN IRON GATE, SMASHED SOME ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TOOK DOWN A TREE AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)