2011 Lexus IS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Lexus IS has a complaint index of 60, ranking 9th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 15 complaints and no recalls for this year, with airbags being the top problem area at 47% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 IS years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19.5 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 Lexus IS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags7 (47%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (27%)
- Structure & Body3 (20%)
- Engine2 (13%)
- Other2 (13%)
- Fuel System1 (7%)
- Steering1 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report frustration over delayed remedies for the Takata airbag recall, with some saying no replacement was available years after notification.
- Some drivers say the dashboard and door panels become sticky and glossy over time, with the melted dash reflecting onto the windshield and creating a blind spot.
- One owner reported the fuel pressure sensor failed, cutting fuel delivery and causing the engine to shut off while driving, which also cut power steering and brakes.
- A driver described the electric power steering rack sticking during lane changes and making noise when turning at low speed.
- An owner mentioned a leaking valley plate on the engine as a recurring issue on this vehicle.
2011 Lexus IS recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2011 Lexus IS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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 IS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Lexus IS reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 IS a complaint index of 60, ranking 9th worst among 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other IS years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Lexus IS?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 47% of the 15 complaints filed with NHTSA, mostly tied to Takata recall remedy delays.
- Does the 2011 Lexus IS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls specifically logged for the 2011 model year in this dataset, though owners reference the broader Takata airbag recall campaign in their complaints.
- How does the 2011 Lexus IS compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 60 is better than the worst years like 2006 (100) and 2007 (95), but worse than newer years such as 2015 (25) and 2020 (35), which earn Good verdicts.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2011 IS?
- The median mileage at failure across reported complaints for the 2011 IS is 77,000 miles.