repaired · 2021 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 Lexus ES350Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 153 owner complaints about the 2011 Lexus ES350, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-741 the manufacturer reports only 65% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 13, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Lexus ES350 has problems
153 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
145Air bags7 crash/fire/injury
3Electrical system
2Vehicle speed control
2Engine
1Seats
1Service brakes
1Structure
1Tires
1Exterior lighting
11 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 145 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2 |
| Engine | 2 | 1 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| 1 other systems | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2011 Lexus ES350 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other ES350 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ES350 median. How we score
'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2011 Lexus ES350 safety ratings
2011 Lexus ES350 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Lexus ES350, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What ES350 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
THIS WEB SITE (THE NHTSA) SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VIN, BUT TOYOTA/LEXUS SITE SAYS THERE IS, FOR THE AIRBAGS. THIS MISLEADING INFORMATION ON A GOVERNMENT WEB SITE CAN BE DANGEROUS.
TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JULY 2016. RECEIVED NO CONTACT FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT SCHEDULING REPAIRS. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN MARCH 2017. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS DUE TO LACK OF REPLACEMENT PARTS. MY VEHICLE IS SEVEN YEARS OLD, AND…
Own a 2011 ES350?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.