What are the most common problems with the 2011 Lexus ES?

The air bags group has the largest share of complaints on file. Electrical and structure complaints follow far behind.

Does the 2011 Lexus ES have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.

Is the 2011 Lexus ES reliable?

The complaint record is dominated by one group, the air bags. Other groups are small. See the by-year section to compare with nearby model years.

What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Lexus ES?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

2011 Lexus ES Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2011 Lexus ES have?

NHTSA has 199 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 199 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Lexus ES^[1]. The air bags group stands out with 172 of them^[2].

199owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

22MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here is how the complaints on file break down, biggest group first.

Air Bags. 172 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe air bags that stayed shut after a collision, and some of those drivers were hurt. Others describe waiting a long time for parts to finish a repair after a notice arrived.
Electrical System. 8 complaints^[5]. Owners describe push button start quirks, a smart key that behaves oddly with doors and trunk, and a power window that kept closing on a passenger's finger.
Structure. 7 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a vibration at highway speed tied to wheel bearings, plus peeling paint, worn leather seats and a dashboard that turned sticky and smelly.
Unknown Or Other. 6 complaints^[7]. These reports do not fit a single component group.
Speed Control. 5 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the car surging forward on its own while parking or shifting into drive, sometimes ending in a crash.
Engine. 4 complaints^[9].
Brakes. 4 complaints^[10].
Steering. 2 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 ES is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V741), October 2019. About 928,220 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V005), January 2019. About 1,299,448 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V340), May 2016. About 1,754,517 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	19 / 27 / 22	$3,050

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[15]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	10.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2011 Lexus ES with electric motor^[16]	272 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
ES 350 4DR SEDAN FWD^[17]	191 in	72 in	57 in	109 in	3,580 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each ES model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	38	1
1996	38	1
1997	47	2
1998	53	1
1999	35	0
2000	62	0
2001	31	0
2002	180	2
2003	139	0
2004	190	2
2005	200	2
2006	79	0
2007	664	4
2008	323	4
2009	173	5
2010	179	5
2011	199	3
2012	120	3
2013	70	1
2014	46	1
2015	27	1
2016	37	1
2017	26	1
2018	15	2
2019	40	4
2020	24	3
2021	35	1
2022	16	1
2023	11	2
2024	9	2
2025	5	1
2026	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the ES show 199 complaints and 3 recalls for 2011^[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 28 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 3 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2007 (664)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2011 ES?

The record for this model year is led by one group, the air bags^[2]. Some of the reports involve crashes and injuries, so they deserve a close look^[1]. The other groups are much smaller and cover a mix of electrical, body and interior complaints^[5]^[6]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Check that any open recall work was finished before you buy^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Lexus ES?: The air bags group has the largest share of complaints on file^[2]. Electrical and structure complaints follow far behind^[5]^[6].
Does the 2011 Lexus ES have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.
How many complaints does the 2011 Lexus ES have?: NHTSA has 199 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2011 Lexus ES reliable?: The complaint record is dominated by one group, the air bags^[2]. Other groups are small^[5]. See the by-year section to compare with nearby model years.
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Lexus ES?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Lexus ES

2004 190 complaints, 2 recalls
2005 200 complaints, 2 recalls
2007 664 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 323 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 179 complaints, 5 recalls
2011 this page
2013 70 complaints, 1 recall
2014 46 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Lexus ES

All Lexus models

Similar cars from 2011: midsize cars

2011 Nissan Versa 269 complaints, 6 recalls
2011 Subaru Legacy/Outback 819 complaints, 16 recalls
2011 Buick Regal 280 complaints, 4 recalls
2011 Cadillac CTS 108 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Cruze 732 complaints, 7 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Malibu 978 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 199 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Lexus ES (13 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
172 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
8 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V005, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Lexus ES with electric motor: rated 272 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES 350 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,580 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 Lexus ES: problems, recalls and fuel economy