BestCarRank
Lexus

2011 Lexus IS 350C

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Lexus IS 350C has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 6. The most common issue is air bags problems (100% of all complaints), specifically: takata inflators. this is a zone a vehicle. lexus claims to have no idea when the recall will be repaired, but advises us not to drive the car with anyone in the passenger seat. so, the car is basically unusable.. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

6

Total Complaints

6

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 1 of 1)

AIR BAGS

6 complaints
100%
  • TAKATA INFLATORS. THIS IS A ZONE A VEHICLE. LEXUS CLAIMS TO HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE RECALL WILL BE REPAIRED, BUT ADVISES US NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SO, THE CAR IS BASICALLY UNUSABLE.
  • TAKATA RECALL TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG IN MY CAR FOR 6 MONTHS, DESPITE REPEATED CONTACT. THE AIRBAG IS PART OF RECALL 16V340. I PRESENTED MY 2011 LEXUS IS 350C, VIN [XXX] TO TREASURE COAST LEXUS IN FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, ON JULY 28, 2016. THEY ADVISED THAT NO PARTS WER
  • TAKATA RECALL DEALER WON'T REMEDY THE DEFECT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. WE HAVE BEEN ON THE WAITING LIST A MONTH AND DEALER REPRESENTATIVE (VICTORIA) CONTINUES TO SAY THEY CANNOT TELL US WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG (CAN'T EVEN ESTIMATE). KEYES LEXUS 5905 VAN NUYS BLV
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TAKATA INFLATORS. THIS IS A ZONE A VEHICLE. LEXUS CLAIMS TO HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE RECALL WILL BE REPAIRED, BUT ADVISES US NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SO, THE CAR IS BASICALLY UNUSABLE.

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE09/01/2019

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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Lexus IS 350C

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,821
Full coverage / month
$152
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+9%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus IS 350C Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
5K mi
Brake fluid
30 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
120K mi
Cabin air filter
30K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

Toyota Motor Corporation-recommended 10K interval with 0W-20 synthetic. Hybrid models use conventional service intervals; battery is 10-year warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lexus New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
6 yr / 70K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 150K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
6 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids

These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2011 IS 350C, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lexus dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TAKATA INFLATORS. THIS IS A ZONE A VEHICLE. LEXUS CLAIMS TO HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE RECALL WILL BE REPAIRED, BUT ADVISES US NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SO, THE CAR IS BASICALLY UNUSABLE.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Lexus IS 350C — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
6
Recalls
6
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
6

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Lexus IS 350C