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Lexus ISModel year report

2011 Lexus IS Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
77,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 19 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Lexus IS (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2011 Lexus IS. The part named most often is air bags, with 7 complaints (47% of the total), followed by visibility (4) and body and structure (3). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 77,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 38 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Visibility complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall. This recall IS taking too long and there IS no resolution date proposed. I am trying to trade-in or sell my vehicle and receive offers $4000 or more less then kbb value. I don't want to use the vehicle especially with a front seat passenger. The rear seats are not convenient in the is250c model as it IS a two door and the rear seats offer a cramped space for passengers.”

NHTSA complaint #10924500, filed 2016-11

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The dashboard on our vehicle has started to melt. While there was a warranty enhancement program in the past (we did not receive notice), the problem has developed after the window for repair closed. This is a true safety issue now as visibility from the front windshield is hindered due to reflection. The dealer has asked us to contact Lexus and Lexus will not help us anymore, stating this is an out of pocket repair. Given that this is a known defect and a potentially serious safety issue, I urge you to initiate a true recall.”

NHTSA complaint #11719069, filed 2026-02

Body and structure: “The dashboard of our 2011 Lexus IS has begun to melt, for lack of better words. We have owned the car since 2011 and it has approximately 162000 miles now. The problem has arisen over the last two years or so and is a known issue for cars of that period. Lexus claims they had an enhanced warranty program for this issue, but we were never contacted and the issue was not an issue then, but clearly this is a known defect in their materials. Replacing the dash on our own would be very costly. The glare resulting from this is terrible. …”

NHTSA complaint #11725593, filed 2026-03

Engine: “Fuel IS not delivered to firing chamber due to failure of fuel pressure sensor. This will cause engine to shut off when on the road. No obd-ii code IS present since the failure of the fuel pressure sensor will put the car in protected mode, no code can be read. When engine IS shut off, it will have no power to steering or brake system, put driver in a very dangerous situation. I was lucky enough to find out after arriving home. The problem appeared the next morning.”

NHTSA complaint #11307324, filed 2020-02, 115,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 115,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2533%25–500%50–7533%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 77,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2016320173201920202021202220263
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Lexus IS version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
IS 250/IS 250C RWD2.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic212924$3,400
IS 250/IS 250C RWD2.5L 6-cyl6-speed manual192722$3,750
IS 350/IS 350C RWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic202722$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 Lexus IS 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. 38 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 38 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus IS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023511,0000523—Too new
20206—0———Not enough data
20171196,0000———Not enough data
2015988,0000———Not enough data
201412—0———Not enough data
2013959,5940—24—Not enough data
20121823,0000—22—Falling
20111577,0000—22—Falling
20104167,0001—2146 · TypicalStable
20094036,7502——77 · MoreFalling
200810278,5003——50 · TypicalFalling
200712282,5003——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200614389,5007——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20051247,0000———Not enough data
20041074,8380———Not enough data
20031248,0000———Not enough data
20021288,0000———Not enough data

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Lexus IS have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2011 Lexus IS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Air bags is named most often, in 7 complaints (47% of the total), followed by visibility with 4.

Has the 2011 Lexus IS 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.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Lexus IS get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Lexus IS (IS 250/IS 250C, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 77,000 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 115,000 miles; 33% 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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.