2011 Lexus ES recalls & problems
The 2011 Lexus ES has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 46 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (28 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints46filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2011 Lexus ES.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags Sensor › Occupant classification | 28 | 53,400 mi |
| Structure Body; Interior panels › Dashboard | 6 | — |
| Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel | 5 | — |
| Unknown or other | 3 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | — |
| Service brakes | 3 | — |
| Steering | 2 | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| Wheels | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Jul 6, 2026Electrical 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? - Aug 18, 2025 · 137,912 milesElectrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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. - Dec 5, 2024Structure › Interior panels › Dashboard
I purchased the car on Feb 9, 2014 at the above Lexus Dealership. $26,596.  My dashboard is melting and itâs 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. Itâs 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… - Nov 8, 2024Structure › Body
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… - Jul 19, 2024Fuel/propulsion system
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… - May 1, 2024 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags
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… - Jun 29, 2023 · 65,000 milesAir bags
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the passengerâs 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… - Jun 1, 2023Visibility/wiper
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 donât 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.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.