2011 Lexus RX HYBRID
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Lexus RX HYBRID has 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: i was pulling into a driveway after i fully stopped my car ( i was waiting for another car to pull out of driveway first). when i braked to stop my car it did not respond initially. i could not stop it fast enough to avoid collision w a parked car in driveway. this was so strange because i was movin.
17
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
BRAKES
4 complaints- • I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AFTER I FULLY STOPPED MY CAR ( I WAS WAITING FOR ANOTHER CAR TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY FIRST). WHEN I BRAKED TO STOP MY CAR IT DID NOT RESPOND INITIALLY. I COULD NOT STOP IT FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID COLLISION W A PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. THIS WAS SO STRANGE BECAUSE I WAS MOVIN
- • The contact owns a 2011 Lexus RX450H. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicl
- • The contact owns a 2011 Lexus RX450H. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicl
“I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AFTER I FULLY STOPPED MY CAR ( I WAS WAITING FOR ANOTHER CAR TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY FIRST). WHEN I BRAKED TO STOP MY CAR IT DID NOT RESPOND INITIALLY. I COULD NOT STOP IT FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID COLLISION W A PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. THIS WAS SO STRANGE BECAUSE I WAS MOVIN”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
3 complaints- • HIGH PRESSURE ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE RUPTURED CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL AND STRANDING MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE OUTBACK. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY IN THE COUNTRY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE RUPTURE OCCURRED. IT APPEARS THAT LEXUS IS AWARE OF THIS PRO
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX450H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE DRIVER COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEXUS OF ALBUQUERQUE, 4821 PAN AMERICAN FWY, , ALBUQUERQUE
- • THE OIL COOLER PIPE BROKE ON MY 2011 LEXUS RX450H STARVING THE ENGINE OF OIL AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE PART IS CURRENTLY UNDER WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT BY LEXUS AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MY MODEL YEAR OF VEHICLE. THE MALFUNCTION IS PARTICULARLY INSIDIOUS AS OIL ONLY LEAKS WHEN THE ENGINE IS
“HIGH PRESSURE ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE RUPTURED CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL AND STRANDING MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE OUTBACK. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY IN THE COUNTRY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE RUPTURE OCCURRED. IT APPEARS THAT LEXUS IS AWARE OF THIS PRO”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
2 complaints- • FOOT OF BACKSEAT PASSENGER SITTING BEHIND THE DRIVER WAS TRAPPED AND PAINFULLY MASHED UNDER SEAT POSITIONING MECHANISM WHEN SEAT AUTOMATICALLY MOVED BACK WHEN CAR IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SENSOR THAT DETECTS WHEN SEAT MOTION IS OBSTRUCTED AND STOPS OR REVERSES SEAT MOTION RATHER
- • I DROVE TO A NEIGHBORHOOD SUBWAY FOR LUNCH. I WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT WHEN PUSHING THE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON. FORTUNATELY, I AM RATHER SMALL AND SLIGHT IN STATURE, 5'9" AND 150 LBS., AND WAS ABLE TO LOOSEN THE BELT AND SQUIRM FREE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND RECEIVED A LOANER
“FOOT OF BACKSEAT PASSENGER SITTING BEHIND THE DRIVER WAS TRAPPED AND PAINFULLY MASHED UNDER SEAT POSITIONING MECHANISM WHEN SEAT AUTOMATICALLY MOVED BACK WHEN CAR IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SENSOR THAT DETECTS WHEN SEAT MOTION IS OBSTRUCTED AND STOPS OR REVERSES SEAT MOTION RATHER”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints- • I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AFTER I FULLY STOPPED MY CAR ( I WAS WAITING FOR ANOTHER CAR TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY FIRST). WHEN I BRAKED TO STOP MY CAR IT DID NOT RESPOND INITIALLY. I COULD NOT STOP IT FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID COLLISION W A PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. THIS WAS SO STRANGE BECAUSE I WAS MOVIN
- • ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL & YIELD LIGHTS ARE ON AND BEEPING SOUND. ALSO BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD!!!!!
“I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AFTER I FULLY STOPPED MY CAR ( I WAS WAITING FOR ANOTHER CAR TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY FIRST). WHEN I BRAKED TO STOP MY CAR IT DID NOT RESPOND INITIALLY. I COULD NOT STOP IT FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID COLLISION W A PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. THIS WAS SO STRANGE BECAUSE I WAS MOVIN”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
2 complaints- • SOMETHING IN THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE BY THE RADIO HAS OVERHEATED, MELTING THE AC VENT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. LITTLE FLECKS OF PLASTIC STARTED BLOWING OUT OF THE VENT, AND WHEN I LOOKED INSIDE THE VENT, I COULD SEE WHERE THE LOUVERED PIECES ARE MELTED.
- • ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL & YIELD LIGHTS ARE ON AND BEEPING SOUND. ALSO BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD!!!!!
“SOMETHING IN THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE BY THE RADIO HAS OVERHEATED, MELTING THE AC VENT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. LITTLE FLECKS OF PLASTIC STARTED BLOWING OUT OF THE VENT, AND WHEN I LOOKED INSIDE THE VENT, I COULD SEE WHERE THE LOUVERED PIECES ARE MELTED.”
— 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 17 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BRAKES: I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AFTER I FULLY STOPPED MY CAR ( I WAS WAITING FOR ANOTHER CAR TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY FIRST). WHEN I BRAKED TO STOP MY CAR IT DID NOT RESPOND INITIALLY. I COULD NOT STOP IT FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID COLLISION W A PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. THIS WAS SO STRANGE BECAUSE I WAS MOVIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: HIGH PRESSURE ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE RUPTURED CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL AND STRANDING MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE OUTBACK. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY IN THE COUNTRY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE RUPTURE OCCURRED. IT APPEARS THAT LEXUS IS AWARE OF THIS PRO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: FOOT OF BACKSEAT PASSENGER SITTING BEHIND THE DRIVER WAS TRAPPED AND PAINFULLY MASHED UNDER SEAT POSITIONING MECHANISM WHEN SEAT AUTOMATICALLY MOVED BACK WHEN CAR IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SENSOR THAT DETECTS WHEN SEAT MOTION IS OBSTRUCTED AND STOPS OR REVERSES SEAT MOTION RATHER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AFTER I FULLY STOPPED MY CAR ( I WAS WAITING FOR ANOTHER CAR TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY FIRST). WHEN I BRAKED TO STOP MY CAR IT DID NOT RESPOND INITIALLY. I COULD NOT STOP IT FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID COLLISION W A PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. THIS WAS SO STRANGE BECAUSE I WAS MOVIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lexus RX HYBRID — 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
- 17
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 4
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Lexus RX HYBRID