YearToAvoid

2011 Lexus RX350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2011 Lexus RX350 has a Complaint Index of 61, ranking 8th worst out of 19 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Engine complaints (53% of the total) and brake complaints (37%) dominate owner reports, backed by one brake actuator recall.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
61/100
#8 of 19 RX350 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
30
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
15
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
9
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20.5
18 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
9 / 0

Top 2011 Lexus RX350 problems

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

  1. Engine16 (53%)
  2. Brakes11 (37%)
  3. Airbags6 (20%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain6 (20%)
  5. Structure & Body3 (10%)
  6. Other2 (7%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
  8. Electrical System1 (3%)
  9. Steering1 (3%)

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 sudden unintended acceleration, including while pulling into a driveway or parking space, resulting in crashes into walls, curbs, or storefronts.
  • Several reports describe brake failure or seizure at low speed, causing the vehicle to strike another vehicle or a fixed object.
  • One owner reported the vehicle skidded after a turn and the front tire ruptured, leading to a head-on crash into a concrete fence.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during front-end collisions despite significant impact speeds.
  • A transmission complaint describes the vehicle lurching forward unexpectedly while stopped at a red light, causing a rear-end collision.
2011 Lexus RX350 complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2011Jun 2012Jun 2014Nov 2015Oct 2016Aug 2018Jul 2022
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2011 to Jul 2022; peak Mar 2012 (2).

2011 Lexus RX350 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 11V377000Jul 26, 2011Brakes32 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 lexus rx350 passenger cars manufactured from august 30, 2010, through may 18, 2011, and equipped with vehicle dynamics integrated management (vdim). The calibration for the hydraulic control valves is incorrect. Due to this condition, there is a possibility that the right front wheel may not be controlled properly during ABS (antilock brake system) or vsc (vehicle stability control) actuation.

    Risk: This could result in increased stopping distances and/or a failure to adequately correct a vehicle slide, which could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake actuator with a new one, free of charge. The safety recall began on september 8, 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

2011 Lexus RX350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
20.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,900
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 RX350 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
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Avoid8397019.5
2010Avoid10094120.5
2011Caution6130120.5
2012Caution7233120.5
2013Avoid7859121

All Lexus RX350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Lexus RX350 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2011 RX350 a Complaint Index of 61 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among the 19 model years with data. Engine and brake complaints are the largest problem areas.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Lexus RX350?
Engine complaints make up 53% of reports (16 of 30), with a median failure mileage of 46,953 miles. Brakes are the second largest category at 37% of complaints.
Does the 2011 Lexus RX350 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 11V377000, covering a brake actuator calibration issue tied to the vehicle dynamics integrated management system. The remedy was a free brake actuator replacement.
How does the 2011 RX350 compare to other RX350 years?
With a Complaint Index of 61, the 2011 model is safer than the 2007-2010 and 2013 model years, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes between 78 and 100, but it ranks worse than newer years like 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Lexus RX350?
The EPA rates the 2011 RX350 at 20.5 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900.

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.