YearToAvoid

2011 Lexus RX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#10 most-complained of 16 RX years

The 2011 Lexus RX has a complaint index of 40 with 29 complaints and no recalls, ranking 10th out of 16 model years. It carries a 'Good' verdict compared to other RX years, with Engine issues as the top problem area.

Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
4 / 2
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28.5
30 city / 27.5 hwy

Top 2011 Lexus RX problems

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

  1. Engine10 (34%)
  2. Other5 (17%)
  3. Airbags4 (14%)
  4. Brakes4 (14%)
  5. Electrical System4 (14%)
  6. Structure & Body4 (14%)
  7. Fuel System2 (7%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Oil cooler lines have failed, causing loss of engine oil and engine damage around 134,370 miles.
  • Owners report oil leaking heavily from the engine, discovered pooling in driveways.
  • Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration while braking to a stop, with the brake pedal pressed hard but the vehicle continuing to move.
  • Sunroofs have reportedly shattered without warning while driving at highway speed.
  • Electrical fires have been reported starting from the center console, in one case after the seat heater activated, and in another case a vehicle caught fire while parked in a garage overnight.
  • A fuel system failure caused rough running, sputtering, warning lights, and a stall in the middle of the road.
2011 Lexus RX complaints: complaints filed per month6Mar 2012Sep 2019May 2020Feb 2021Dec 2021Jul 2023May 2024Jan 2026
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2012 to May 2026; peak Jul 2023 (6).

2011 Lexus RX recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2011 Lexus RX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
30 MPG
Highway
27.5 MPG
Combined
28.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
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 RX 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
2010Caution6072029.5
2011Good4029028.5
2012Best012028.5
2013Good2719028.5

All Lexus RX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Lexus RX reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 RX has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 10th of 16 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other RX years.
Does the 2011 Lexus RX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2011 Lexus RX.
What is the top problem area for the 2011 Lexus RX?
Engine complaints are the top problem area, making up 34% of the 29 complaints filed, with a median mileage at failure of 134,370 miles.
How does the 2011 RX compare to other years?
The 2011 RX has a complaint index of 40, better than the 2010 RX (60, 'Caution') but worse than the 2012 RX (0, 'Best') and several later years like 2014, 2015, and 2016.

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.