YearToAvoid

2011 Lexus IS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#6 most-complained of 16 IS years

The 2011 Lexus IS has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst among 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 15 complaints, no recalls, and no crashes or fires reported for this year.

Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 27 hwy

Top 2011 Lexus IS problems

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

  1. Airbags7 (47%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers4 (27%)
  3. Structure & Body3 (20%)
  4. Engine2 (13%)
  5. Other2 (13%)
  6. Fuel System1 (7%)
  7. Steering1 (7%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Owners report delayed resolution of the Takata airbag recall, with some noting no seat replacement offered months after notification.
  • Some owners say the dashboard surface becomes sticky and glossy over time, creating glare that reflects onto the windshield and reduces visibility while driving.
  • Door panels and seats reportedly loosen or tear as trim ages.
  • One owner described a fuel pressure sensor failure at 115,000 miles that cut fuel delivery and shut off the engine without triggering a diagnostic code.
  • Another owner reported the electric power steering rack sticking during lane changes and making noise while turning at 77,000 miles.
2011 Lexus IS complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2016Nov 2016Aug 2017Nov 2019Sep 2020Jan 2022Feb 2026Jun 2026
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Jun 2026; peak Feb 2020 (3).

2011 Lexus IS recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2011 Lexus IS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid10040020.5
2011Caution6715022
2012Avoid9318022
2013Avoid809022

All Lexus IS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Lexus IS reliable?
Compared to other IS model years, 2011 is rated Caution with a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 6th worst out of 16 years tracked. It has fewer complaints (15) than the 2010 model (40) but more than several later years.
Does the 2011 Lexus IS have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls specifically logged for the 2011 model year, though owner complaints reference the Takata airbag recall program affecting the vehicle.
What is the top problem area for the 2011 Lexus IS?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 47% of complaints (7 of 15), mostly related to Takata recall processing at a median mileage of 40,000.
How does the 2011 IS compare to the 2010 IS?
The 2010 IS has a Complaint Index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2011 IS has a lower index of 67 and a Caution verdict, making 2011 the better choice between the two.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Lexus IS?
The 2011 Lexus IS gets 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650.

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.