YearToAvoid

2011 Lexus ES Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2011 Lexus ES has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst among 21 model years and earning an Avoid verdict relative to other ES years. Airbags are the top problem area with 27 complaints (59% of all complaints) and a median failure mileage of 50,200.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
75/100
#6 of 21 ES years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
46
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
0
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best

Top 2011 Lexus ES problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags27 (59%)
  2. Structure & Body8 (17%)
  3. Electrical System5 (11%)
  4. Brakes3 (7%)
  5. Engine3 (7%)
  6. Other3 (7%)
  7. Fuel System2 (4%)
  8. Steering2 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners describe airbags failing to deploy during moderate-to-high-speed collisions, including head-on and side impacts.
  • Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or coming to a stop, leading to collisions with fixed objects.
  • Wheel bearing failures caused vibration in the front floor panels at highway speed.
  • A fuel system complaint describes a loud pop and gas leak while driving at highway speed.
  • One owner reported the engine kept running after exiting the vehicle with the push-to-start system, resulting in carbon monoxide exposure.
  • A brake and alignment issue was flagged during routine service despite no prior symptoms.
2011 Lexus ES complaints: complaints filed per month4Oct 2011Jul 2012Dec 2016Apr 2017Nov 2017May 2020Apr 2024Dec 2024
46 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2011 to Jul 2026; peak Apr 2017 (4).

2011 Lexus ES recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2011 compared with other ES years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Caution55280—
2010Caution50410—
2011Avoid75460—
2012Avoid80310—
2013Good4533040

All Lexus ES years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Lexus ES a bad year?
Compared to other ES model years, the 2011 ranks 6th worst out of 21 years with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by airbag complaints.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Lexus ES?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 27 of 46 complaints (59%), with issues concentrated around non-deployment in crashes at a median mileage of 50,200.
Does the 2011 Lexus ES have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2011 Lexus ES.
Were there crashes linked to 2011 Lexus ES complaints?
NHTSA data shows 6 crashes and 4 injuries associated with 2011 Lexus ES complaints, with no reported fires or deaths.
How does the 2011 ES compare to nearby model years?
The 2011 ES (complaint index 75) sits between the 2010 ES (50, Caution) and 2012 ES (80, Avoid), both also flagged with elevated complaint levels.

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.