NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Lexus ES350 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2011 Lexus ES350 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 153 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lexus dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Lexus ES350, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2011 Lexus ES350 owner complaints

Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Lexus ES350, describing incidents dated June 25, 2012 to July 7, 2020.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 145 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Unknown or Other 3 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint

Of the 153 complaints on file, 7 report a crash; across all 153 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11348985 · Filed August 13, 2020
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 BRAKE…
ODI #11175933 · Filed February 9, 2019
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.
ODI #11115902 · Filed August 6, 2018
N/A

Read all 153 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Lexus ES350 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode

NHTSA #19V741000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2019 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 928,220 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.6% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign J0A, J0B, J0C, JLI · Owners notified November 20, 2019 · Vehicles built March 20, 2006 – May 25, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V005000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 9, 2019 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 1,299,448 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 15, 2019 · Vehicles built August 26, 2009 – June 8, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V340000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 23, 2016 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 1,754,517 vehicles

Repair completion: 87.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign TG1P/G1R L:G2G/G2H · Owners notified November 18, 2016 · Vehicles built November 24, 2005 – September 12, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in 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." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2011 Lexus ES350 4 DR FWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

11% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

153 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Lexus ES350.

Air Bags; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11348985

Crash 1 injury

Incident: July 7, 2020 · Filed: August 13, 2020

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 BRAKE PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE SLID ON THE WET ROADWAY DUE TO THE RAIN. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE THRU THE WINDSHIELD AS THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN HIP AND FACE LACERATION AS HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AS A CLAIM WAS FILED. HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. *DT

Air Bags

ODI #11175933

Incident: February 9, 2019 · Filed: February 9, 2019

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11115902

Incident: August 1, 2018 · Filed: August 6, 2018

N/A

Structure; Seats

ODI #11083224

Incident: June 17, 2017 · Filed: April 4, 2018

1. BODY PAINT HAS DETERIORATED GREATLY ON ROOF, FRONT HOOD AND TRUNK, PICTURES ATTACHED. 2. LEATHER SEATS DETERIORATED. DRIVER SEAT BROKE IN VARIOUS PARTS. PASSENGER AND REAR SEATS ALSO DETERIORATING. PICTURES ATTACHED. DATE RECORDED ON THE WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN FIELD IS AN APPROXIMATE WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED THE IMPLICATION OF THESE ISSUES.

Air Bags

ODI #11072916

Incident: February 14, 2018 · Filed: February 14, 2018

TAKATA RECALL - NO INCIDENT YET

Unknown or Other

ODI #11065787

Incident: April 9, 2017 · Filed: January 30, 2018

EXPLODING SUNROOF

Air Bags

ODI #11047324

Incident: June 25, 2016 · Filed: November 19, 2017

TAKATA RECALL - HAVE CALLED THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND SAYS PARTS AREN'T AVAILABLE

Air Bags

ODI #11046357

Incident: March 17, 2017 · Filed: November 15, 2017

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 BASED ON THE INFORMATION PUBLISHED REGARDING DEGRADATION OF THE ORIGINAL AIRBAGS, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY VEHICLE IS IN GREATER DANGER OF HAVING DEFECTIVE AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS AIRBAGS. AS A RESULT, I REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT OR LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS COULD BE MADE TO MY VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED BY A LOCAL DEALER REPRESENTATIVE TO ARRANGE ONE, BUT WAS NEVER CONTACTED THEREAFTER. MANUFACTURER CASE NUMBER IS 1701061699.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11044166

Incident: November 2, 2017 · Filed: November 7, 2017

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE JUST OUTSIDE BEAUMONT, TEXAS ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT OR AN EXPLOSION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE, I NOTICED MY SUNROOF COVER SHAKING AND WIND COMING THROUGH THE TOP OF MY CAR. I PULLED THE COVER BACK JUST A LITTLE AND NOTICED SHATTERED GLASS. WHEN I PULLED OVER AT THE NEXT SERVICE STATION, I GOT OUT AND REALIZED MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. I CONTACTED LEXUS AND THEY PRETENDED TO BE SURPRISED; HOWEVER, AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE SUNROOF REPAIRED, BUT NOT BY LEXUS. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REPAIR IT TO THE TUNE OF $2,000. THE SUNROOF REPAIR COMPANY WHERE I TOOK MY CAR REPAIRED IT FOR A FRACTION OF THAT. THIS MORNING I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM LEXUS CORPORATE OFFICE STATING THAT THE DAMAGED SUNROOF WAS DUE TO "IMPACT," WHICH IS NOT TRUE. OF COURSE, LEXUS IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY VEHICLE. I SUSPECT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THEIR DEFECTIVE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD UNTIL AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM THE DEFECTS. THE GENERAL MANAGER OF LEXUS OF CLEAR LAKE REACHED OUT TO ME ON THIS PAST SATURDAY AND ASKED THAT I EMAIL HER, WHICH I DID. HOWEVER, I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM HER.

Air Bags

ODI #11033090

Incident: October 12, 2016 · Filed: October 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. JM FAMILY ENTERPRISES (LEXUS) OF COCONUT CREEK, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THAT THE CONTACT COULD LEASE A VEHICLE AS AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED IT IS NOT SAFE FOR A PASSENGER TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT, MAKING THE CAR, ESSENTIALLY, USELESS FOR US. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNUSABLE. UPDATED 7/27/18*JB

Other Lexus ES350 model years

Check your 2011 Lexus ES350 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus ES350 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Lexus VIN