2011 Lexus RX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Lexus RX has 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: some how the oil was leaking ,i don t know why?lucky me i was at home doing the yard work when i saw this massive oil leaking on my drive way. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 6 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

11 complaints

31%

• SOME HOW THE OIL WAS LEAKING ,I DON T KNOW WHY?LUCKY ME I WAS AT HOME DOING THE YARD WORK WHEN I SAW THIS MASSIVE OIL LEAKING ON MY DRIVE WAY
• OUR 2011 LEXUS RX 350 OIL COOLER LINE FAILED CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. A FAMILY MEMBER WAS DRIVING AND THE LOSS OF MOTOR OIL COULD HAVE LOCKED THE ENGINE AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. LEXUS IS WILLING TO PAY FOR THE PART, BUT NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAILED OIL COOLER LINE.
• MY 2011 LEXUS RX 350 HAS A FRONT TIMING COVER LEAK. TO FIX THE FRONT TIMING COVER LEAK, THE DEALERSHIP HAS AN ESTIMATED PRICE OF $4,000.00. IN ORDER TO REPLACE A GASKET ON THE TIMING COVER, MANY ACCESSORIES AND PARTS NEEDS TO BE REMOVED. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE ENGINE IS LOSING OIL AN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“SOME HOW THE OIL WAS LEAKING ,I DON T KNOW WHY?LUCKY ME I WAS AT HOME DOING THE YARD WORK WHEN I SAW THIS MASSIVE OIL LEAKING ON MY DRIVE WAY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

5 complaints

14%

• WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY MY WIFE TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND CAR ACELERATED AND RAN INTO WALL DAMAGING HOUSE AND CONTENTS
• Oil poured out under vehicle under right side passenger side from oil cooler line overnight in my garage. Lexus stated that I was lucky that this did not occur while driving as oil would have blown completely out due to the pressurized line and damaged the engine. There was no warning lights on. I
• I was driving my 2011 Lexus RX 350 on July 7, 2023, to a swimming pool. I was pulling into a parking spot just rolling to a stop with my foot on the brake. The car suddenly accelerated with grate speed and ran on the curb of the sidewalk forward to a small rock wall, I immediately turned the vehicle

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

“WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY MY WIFE TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND CAR ACELERATED AND RAN INTO WALL DAMAGING HOUSE AND CONTENTS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

4 complaints

11%

• SUNROOF SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 70 MPH
• HOW CAN I CONFIRM THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOT BEEN DISABLED?
• HYDRAULIC HOOD SUPPORTS FAILED CAUSING HOOD TO FALL SUDDENLY ALMOST STRIKING CHILD. NO OTHER SUPPORTS AVAILABLE UNDER HOOD TO PREVENT HARM OR INJURY. SIMILAR REPAIR WAS PROVIDED FOR TRUNK ON 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA BY MANUFACTURE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERN. THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL DUE T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“SUNROOF SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 70 MPH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

4 complaints

11%

• I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR AND BEGAN BREAKING BEHIND TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT. I WAS PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD, THE TIRES BEGAN TO GRIND AND I COULD HEAR AND FEEL THE ENGINE REVVING BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. WHEN THE CAR WAS FA
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX 450H. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER LEXUS OF RICHMOND (9703 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, RICHMOND, VA 23235, (804) 323-8000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING
• While driving Brake & Abs warning lights displayed on the dash with the warning brake malfunction, Took it to the shop they diagnose Bad brake module. My brake pads & rotors and all scedule maintenance uptodate.

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

“I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR AND BEGAN BREAKING BEHIND TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT. I WAS PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD, THE TIRES BEGAN TO GRIND AND I COULD HEAR AND FEEL THE ENGINE REVVING BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. WHEN THE CAR WAS FA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

4 complaints

11%

• HOW CAN I CONFIRM THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOT BEEN DISABLED?
• SPIRAL CABLE: HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX 450H. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT SUSTAINED INJURIES (BODY SORENESS) BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED.

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

“HOW CAN I CONFIRM THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOT BEEN DISABLED?”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

☐
ENGINE: SOME HOW THE OIL WAS LEAKING ,I DON T KNOW WHY?LUCKY ME I WAS AT HOME DOING THE YARD WORK WHEN I SAW THIS MASSIVE OIL LEAKING ON MY DRIVE WAY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY MY WIFE TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND CAR ACELERATED AND RAN INTO WALL DAMAGING HOUSE AND CONTENTS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: SUNROOF SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 70 MPH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR AND BEGAN BREAKING BEHIND TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT. I WAS PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD, THE TIRES BEGAN TO GRIND AND I COULD HEAR AND FEEL THE ENGINE REVVING BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. WHEN THE CAR WAS FA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)