How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Lexus ES350?

NHTSA lists 145 airbag complaints for the 2011 ES350, which is 95% of the 153 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there an airbag recall for the 2011 Lexus ES350?

Yes. Recall campaign 16V340000, reported in 2016, covers Takata airbags on the 2011 ES350 along with several other Toyota and Lexus models.

Did the airbag problems cause crashes or injuries?

NHTSA data tied to this complaint area shows 7 crashes and 5 injuries reported for the 2011 ES350, with no fires.

At what mileage did airbag failures typically occur?

The median mileage at failure across reported cases is 47,000 miles, though individual sample complaints ranged from about 19,000 to 43,000 miles.

Was the 2011 ES350 airbag recall a do-not-drive order?

No. NHTSA records show campaign 16V340000 was not marked as a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.

2011 Lexus ES350 Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 145 airbag complaints for the 2011 Lexus ES350, 95% of all complaints filed for the year, with 7 crashes and 5 injuries reported. A Takata-related airbag recall (campaign 16V340000) covers this model year, and owners reported parts delays getting it fixed.

Airbags complaints: 145; 95% of 153
Crashes reported: 7
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 5
Median mileage: 47,000 mi
Related recalls: 3

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

Airbags failed to deploy during low-speed rear-end and side-impact crashes, leaving drivers with head, shoulder, and knee injuries.
Owners involved in crashes at around 15 to 19,000 and 43,000 miles reported the driver-side airbag did not inflate despite significant collision force.
Several owners received Takata recall notice 16V340000 and were told replacement airbag parts were unavailable for extended periods.
One owner was advised to avoid carrying a front-seat passenger because no fix existed yet for the passenger airbag defect.
A rear-end collision at 31,000 miles resulted in a stationary vehicle being hit without airbag deployment.

When 2011 Lexus ES350 airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 27, 2014, latest Aug 13, 2020.

145 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2014 to Aug 2020; peak Aug 2017 (27).

Airbags recalls for the 2011 Lexus ES350

NHTSA 19V741000Oct 17, 2019Airbags928,220 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
NHTSA 19V005000Jan 9, 2019Airbags1,299,448 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
NHTSA 16V340000May 23, 2016Airbags1,754,517 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

Airbags complaints by ES350 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2010108 (79%)
2011145 (95%)
201277 (87%)
20134 (17%)
20143 (11%)
20150 (0%)
20162 (10%)
20172 (9%)
20180 (0%)
20190 (0%)
20202 (40%)
20210 (0%)
20220 (0%)
20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Lexus ES350?: NHTSA lists 145 airbag complaints for the 2011 ES350, which is 95% of the 153 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an airbag recall for the 2011 Lexus ES350?: Yes. Recall campaign 16V340000, reported in 2016, covers Takata airbags on the 2011 ES350 along with several other Toyota and Lexus models.
Did the airbag problems cause crashes or injuries?: NHTSA data tied to this complaint area shows 7 crashes and 5 injuries reported for the 2011 ES350, with no fires.
At what mileage did airbag failures typically occur?: The median mileage at failure across reported cases is 47,000 miles, though individual sample complaints ranged from about 19,000 to 43,000 miles.
Was the 2011 ES350 airbag recall a do-not-drive order?: No. NHTSA records show campaign 16V340000 was not marked as a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.