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2011 Lexus ES problems

The most common problem on the 2011 Lexus ES is airbags, typically around 53,400 miles. It has 2.0 times the complaints of a typical ES model year.

Typical year2.0x the typical complaints
Year score
50/100
Owner complaints
46
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
55
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2011 Lexus ES problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    27
  • Body
    6
  • Electrical
    5
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Brakes
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    27
  • Body
    6
  • Electrical
    5
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Brakes
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Locks
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Lexus ES 55

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 55 bulletins for the 2011 Lexus ES

What 2011 Lexus ES owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 26, 2026 · Electrical · FL

I am getting a parasitic electrical draw of 12% overnight. On a new interstate battery. I have checked lighting and allstate milewise monitor and neither appear to be the source. Is there a common issue on a 2011 es350?

Filed Aug 18, 2025 · Electrical · 137,912 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed fluid leaking from the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,912.

Filed Dec 5, 2024 · Body · FL

I purchased the car on Feb 9, 2014 at the above Lexus Dealership. $26,596.  My dashboard is melting and it’s definitely a safety hazard. When materials used in the dashboard are prone to melting or degrading in extreme heat, potentially obstructing the driver's view and impacting visibility. At times I couldn't see and I almost had an accident when the sun reflected in my eyes. It’s a defect that Lexus is aware of because they offered to fix it under the Customer Support Program (Takata Economic Loss Class Action Settlement).  Furthermore, by way of legal agreement, the ZLZ warranty enhancement coverage extends to my vehicle until January 8, 2026. However, I should not have to rely on this legal agreement to get Lexus to take care of this repair which has been determined as a defective product/material.  I contacted Lexus HQ 716‑941‑2295 on November 21, 2024. Lexus said they would not be responsible.  The law recognizes concepts of negligence and strict liability to hold sellers liable for defective goods even when no contract existed.  Furthermore, regarding this dashboard defect, there is liability based on the breach of a warranty for the sale of this defective product. Regarding negligence and strict liability, the law has expanded the scope of warranty protections for consumers. This is true both of liability for express promises made by the sellers regarding the quality of products, and the protections the law presumes when sellers offer goods for sale. Lexus knows that when a seller makes a representation at the time of sale regarding the quality of the product, that product is said to be under warranty. Lexus should not continue to avoid responsibility using the excuse of time limitations on the warranty item. Lexus should authorize the repair.

Filed Nov 11, 2024 · Body, Visibility · CA

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, our dashboard has deteriorated quite substantially becoming sticky and more importantly, becoming very reflective. This condition is a serious safety issue for day and night driving as light reflects up on the windshield and obscures vision out of the windshield. We took the vehicle to Lexus San Diego in August of 2024 and they declined to address the repair as a defect and offered to replace the dashboard for approximately $3000. At that time I called the Lexus Corporate Dept and they said that it could fall under the support program again if they re-opened the program. The representative did not offer any timeline for that happening. I sent correspondence to Lexus Corporate in Oct of 2024 and finally heard back on 11/08/2024 that they would only offer a customer paid fix of approximately $2200.00. The dashboard is definitely defective (soon to be inoperable) and creates a very significant safety problem. I do not understand or agree with Lexus not addressing it properly.

Filed Aug 10, 2024 · Fuel system · AZ

I started my vehicle and drove about 1/2 mile when the car started acting like it was running out of gas. I pulled over and got about 1gallon of gas in a gas can and put it in the vehicle. I turned the car back on and drove about 2 blocks when the vehicle started jumping like it was going to run out of gas again. The vehicle then shut down while I was driving it. I made it to the side of the road and put the vehicle in park and turned off the ignition with the push start button. I tried to start the vehicle again with the push start button and the vehicle would just try to start but just crank and not turn on. This ended up being a fault fuel pump. After some research I was able to find out Lexus had several thousand vehicles of the same year make and model recalled due to a faulty fuel pump that goes out while driving causing a dangerous driving condition which is exactly what occurred in my vehicle. I contacted Lexus and was told my vehicle was not included in the recall which I don’t understand due to the fact that my fuel pump went out while was driving. I am requesting this issue be investigated and the vehicle be added to the list of recalled vehicles with faulty fuel pumps

Filed May 1, 2024 · Airbags · FL · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2011 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle crossed over into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact's wife was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for injuries to her right shoulder, left hip, left femur, and left foot, requiring surgery on her shoulder, hip, and femur. The contact also stated that it was required that a stint be placed in his wife's heart. The contact mentioned the injuries sustained resulted in over $1 million in medical treatment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 23, 2024 · Airbags · 65,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was flashing constantly. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Occupant Classification Sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Occupant Classification Sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Nov 21, 2023 · Visibility · AR

I own a 2011 Lexus ES350. I understand there were several times in the past when repairs for a melting dashboard was fixed with no cost to the car owner. I don’t recall receiving information on this offer in a timely manner and now the offers have apparently expired. I think most customers were concerned about the cosmetic damage of the dashboard, but I have valid safety concerns. Sometimes when the sun is out, the line of vision is blurred due to the reflection of the melted dashboard. I want this to be repaired before I have an accident.

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Airbags · 170,000 miles · TN · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2011 Lexus 350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, her vehicle collided with another vehicle that ran a red light at 50 MPH on the front passenger side door. The impact caused the vehicle to careen off the roadway and collide with a billboard support beam where it came to stop. No air bags were deployed. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by emergency services and treated for ocular facial pain, diplopia gaze, and a possible brain aneurysm, resulting in post-concussion syndrome. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Oct 10, 2022 · Brakes, Steering · TX

The vehicle has severe rust and corrosion underneath affecting the suspension. The brakes and power steering needed repairs but the service would cause even more damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was confirmed by sterling mcall lexus of clear lake. 18160 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77546. and also Firestone Center Pearland 2908 Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77581. This vehicle is unsafe to operate due to the corrosion. An accident may soon occur.

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Questions about the 2011 Lexus ES

Is the 2011 Lexus ES reliable?

Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 2011 Lexus ES, 2.0 times a typical ES model year.

What is the 2011 Lexus ES year score?

The 2011 Lexus ES scores 50 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lexus ES: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Lexus ES?

Airbags, with 27 complaints, typically around 53,400 miles. Next is body (6).

How many recalls does the 2011 Lexus ES have?

No recalls on record.

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