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Lexus ESModel year report

2011 Lexus ES Problems

Compared with other Lexus ES years

More complaints than typical for this model

82/100 2.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2010

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
46filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
47,000miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Lexus ES (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2011 Lexus ES. The part named most often is air bags, with 27 complaints (59% of the total), followed by body and structure (6) and electrical system (5). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 56% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 55 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 7 Lexus ES model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 82 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11048783, filed 2017-11, 71,210 miles

Body and structure: “At approximately 7:23 pm on july 8, 2012, while parking in the parking lot of our local church, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. The car was almost at a complete stop, when this sudden uncontrolled acceleration occurred. At that time lots of people were exiting the church and walking towards the parking lot to get into their cars, while others were inside and outside their vehicles waiting for the next service to start. …”

NHTSA complaint #10466313, filed 2012-07, 13,000 miles

Electrical system: “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?”

NHTSA complaint #11752883, filed 2026-07

Brakes: “I have called and contacted Lexus many times regarding the problem with my Lexus car. I have followed up and done all the required feedback needed in order for Lexus to assist me. I feel that customers do not really matter because of the length of time Lexus is taking to ensure the safety of the people who drive the vehicles when there may be a serious matter. The car manual states one thing and Lexus does not even abide by the car alerts and does not appear to care if the customer is safe or not. …”

NHTSA complaint #10958032, filed 2017-03, 95,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

56% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 71,210 miles.

6%0–1011%10–2539%25–5022%50–756%75–10011%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 47,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’12’15’1720’20’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 Lexus ES in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 55 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 55 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus ES

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20255—1525—Too new
2024910,1002526—Too new
20231050,0902544—Too new
2022116,8320528—Not enough data
20212838,000152848 · TypicalRising
20201827,6901544—Rising
20193411,0001544100 · MoreFalling
201852000—40—Not enough data
20169115,5000—40—Not enough data
20155115,0000—40—Not enough data
20133445,0000—4054 · TypicalStable
20123166,3160——36 · TypicalStable
20114647,0000——82 · MoreRising
20104170,0000——11 · FewerStable
20092879,0000——36 · TypicalRising
20086862,0000——52 · TypicalRising
200712580,1230——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200612115,0000———Not enough data
2005598,8500——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20041689,0000———Falling
20032368,0000———Rising
20022796,1500——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20006140,0000———Not enough data
1999885,0000———Not enough data

All Lexus ES model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Lexus ES have?

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2011 Lexus ES as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Lexus ES is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 27 complaints (59% of the total), followed by body and structure with 6.

Has the 2011 Lexus ES been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Lexus ES reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 71,210 miles; 56% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.