YearToAvoid

2011 Lexus CT Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#5 most-complained of 6 CT years

The 2011 Lexus CT ranks Best among the 6 model years covered, with a Complaint Index of 20 and only 22 complaints, no recalls. Brakes are the top problem area at 41% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 47,401.5 miles.

Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
42
43 city / 40 hwy

Top 2011 Lexus CT problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes9 (41%)
  2. Electrical System4 (18%)
  3. Engine4 (18%)
  4. Airbags3 (14%)
  5. Fuel System3 (14%)
  6. Other3 (14%)
  7. Steering1 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the hybrid brake system making a loud electric braking noise and the pedal feeling like it lurches the car forward instead of stopping, sometimes near speed bumps or potholes.
  • Some describe the accumulator and brake booster pump failing, triggering ABS, brake warning, and check engine lights together.
  • One owner reported a traction control and brake warning light coming on with a diagnostic code pointing to a slow leak in the brake actuator and pump assembly.
  • A driver reported the seat belt webbing tightening unintentionally around the neck and shoulder at low speed while dashboard warning chimes and indicators activated.
  • One owner reported the airbags failing to deploy in a head-on crash into a tree that totaled the vehicle.
  • Another owner described the engine shaking and hesitating to accelerate at low speed before abruptly surging forward.
2011 Lexus CT complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2012Dec 2014Mar 2017Jan 2020Feb 2022Dec 2024Sep 2025
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2012 to Jan 2026; peak Mar 2014 (3).

2011 Lexus CT recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2011 Lexus CT fuel economy and fuel cost

City
43 MPG
Highway
40 MPG
Combined
42 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other CT years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Best2022042
2012Caution6043042
2013Avoid8043042

All Lexus CT years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Lexus CT reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Lexus CT is rated Best among the 6 model years with data, with a Complaint Index of 20, the lowest along with 2014's index of 0.
What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Lexus CT?
Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 41% of complaints (9 of 22), with a median mileage at failure of 47,401.5 miles.
Does the 2011 Lexus CT have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2011 Lexus CT, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2011 Lexus CT compare to other CT years?
The 2011 model ranks 5th worst out of 6 years tracked, meaning only one year performs better; 2013 is rated Avoid with the highest Complaint Index of 80.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Lexus CT?
The 2011 Lexus CT gets 42 mpg combined (43 city / 40 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,550 according to EPA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.