2011 Lexus ES

Routine

Owners filed 46 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags27
302
Structure › Body5
200
Electrical System3
001
Service Brakes2
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
101
Unknown or Other1
000
Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard1
000
Seats1
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jul 26, 2026FL

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?

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Aug 18, 2025137,912 milesTX

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.

Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard
Filed Dec 5, 2024FL

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

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 11, 2024CA

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 10, 2024AZ

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

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 1, 2024FL

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.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 23, 202465,000 milesNY

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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Nov 21, 2023AR

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.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 6, 2023170,000 milesTN

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 10, 2022TX

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.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 21, 2021FL

2011 LEXUS ES. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN DOOR HANDLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS BROKEN, THE DRIVER'S SEAT COVER AND OUTER BOLSTER SECTIONS WERE DAMAGED, AND THE ROOF PAINT WAS PEELING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.

Structure › Body
Filed May 4, 2020CA

THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING WHICH RESULTS IN THE NOXIOUS CHEMICAL SMELL AND ADHESIVE COMPOUND THAT IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 23, 201853,400 milesNY

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING ON INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DOES NOT GO OUT WHEN CAR IS STARTED AND DRIVEN.

Seats
Filed Jun 4, 2018100,000 milesVA

THE LEATHER ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAVE FAILED AND SPLIT, DETERIORATED AND THE LEATHER ON THE ARMREST BETWEEN SEATS HAVE DETERIORATED.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 19, 2017WA

"TAKATA RECALL", AFTER CONTACTING LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON 9/8/2017 TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE, I WAS TOLD NO REMEDY AVAILABLE PER THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP (LEXUS OF BELLEVUE). IT IS NOW 12/19/2017 AND STILL NO REPAIRS OR REMEDY FROM LEXUS.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 27, 201771,210 milesTX

TAKATA RECALL; I HAVE MAJOR CONCERN RELEVANT TO NOT ONLY THE PASS/SIDE AIR BAG, BUT TO THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ALSO. I REQUEST BOTH SIDES BE REPLACED, UNLESS YOU CAN PROVIDE DATA THAT WILL CONFIRM THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. DEALER/SEWELL ADVISED MY WORK WOULD BE DONE IN SEPT 17. THEY HAVE YET TO SET UP AN APPT FOR MY REPAIRS. PLS HELP. THANKS

Air Bags
Filed Nov 5, 201730,000 milesCA

TAKATA RECALL. WE RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL IN ROUGHLY AUGUST OF 2016. IT SAID THAT A PASSENGER SHOULD NOT SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY WIFE AND I ARE RETIRED AND ALWAYS DRIVE TOGETHER. THIS RECALL MADE OUR LEXUS UNDRIVEABLE FOR THE PAST YEAR AND 3 MONTHS. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECOMPENSATION BY LEXUS.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 8, 2017TX

MAY 23,2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERGLG NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V340 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE STILL THE LOCAL DEALER IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TO USE MY CAR GOING TO WORK, CITY AND HIGHWAY FROM FRISCO TO MCKINNEY IN TEXAS.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 1, 2017TX

"TAKATA RECALL" THE FIRST CONTACT WAS A LETTER NHTSA - TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATION EXPANSION SUMMARY OF PHASE (ZONE A - GOP (INTRIM G1P). THE SECOND CONTACT WAS A LETTER DATED MAY 23, 2016 STATING SAFETY RECALL GLG & GLH (INTRIM G2G & G2H) THE THIRD CONTACT WAS A LETTER WITH MY VIN: [XXX] AND NHTSA RECALL NO. 16V -340 . I WENT TO MY LEXUS DEALERSHIP SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 AND ASKED WHEN MY DEFECTIVE CAR WILL BE REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE LADY THAT HANDLES CAR DEFECTS WAS IN A MEETING AND SHE WOULD CALL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE NEXT DAY THE LADY FROM LEXUS CAR DEFECTS CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY WERE WORKING ON EARLIER YEAR MODELS AT PRESENT. SHE SAID THAT SHE DID NOT KNOW WHEN LEXUS WOULD BE WORKING ON THE 2011 AIRBAG DEFECTS. I FEEL THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS COMPLACENT AND SHOULD BE DOING MORE. WHY CAN'T THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TELL ANY AND ALL CAR MANUFACTURERS YOU HAVE A FEW MONTHS TO REPAIR DEFECTS OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL START LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF NEW CARS THAT THEY CAN SELL IN THE U.S.A.? THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS THE STICK BUT REFUSES TO USE IT. OUR LIVES DON'T MATTER ONLY "MONEY" MATTERS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 19, 201747,000 milesAL

TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO AS OF DECEMBER 2017. I HAVE AS OF YET HAD THIS AIRBAG REPLACED. WHEN I CALL THE DEALER; TOM WILLIAMS LEXUS THEY DO NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS. I NEED TO KNOW WHEN AND IF THEY WILL REPLACE THIS AIRBAG

20 of 46 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20254110Routine
20249200Routine
202310200Routine
20229000Routine
202128100Routine
202018100Routine
201934100Routine
20185000Routine
20172000Routine
20169000Routine
20155000Routine
20144000Routine
201333000Routine
201231010Routine
2011 — this page46000Routine
201041000Routine
200928000Routine
200868000Routine
2007125010Routine
200612000Routine
200558000Routine
200416000Routine
200323000Routine
200227050Routine
20012000Routine
20006030Routine
19998130Routine
19981100Routine
19972100Routine
19961000Routine

Compare every ES year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.