2011 Lexus ES350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
153 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 145 of 153 complaints (94.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 1.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 145 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Air Bags: 145; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System): 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 128 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 39 |
| 2017 | 101 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 39; 2017: 101; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10948820 · 2017-02-01 (February 1, 2017)
MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE IN OCTOBER. THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND 2 SENSOR LIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR A DAY AND CAME BACK ON. THE SHOP THAT REPLACED THE SENSOR SAID TO BRING IT BACK THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG BECAUSE THERE ARE NO LONGER ANY SENSOR TO REPLACE. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I PROCEEDED TO BACK INTO MY CARPORT AND WHEN I PROCEEDED TO GET ON BREAK TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE BRAKE FAILED AND I HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO MY CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11348985 · 2020-08-13 (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 B…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11348985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10574543 · 2014-03-27 (March 27, 2014)
2011 LEXUS ES350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HER HUSBAND MOVED THE GEAR FROM PARK, TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SHOT OUT LIKE A ROCKET. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH AND BROKE AN IRON GATE, SMASHED SOME ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TOOK DOWN A TREE AND ANOTHER ONE FELL ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE CRUSHING AND BREAKING THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED UNDER THE STAIRWAY TO AN UPSTAIRS CONDO WALL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AT SOME POINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10574543 at NHTSA ↗