YearToAvoid

2011 Lexus RX350 Engine Problems

Engine complaints make up 16 of 30 total complaints (53%) for the 2011 Lexus RX350, the highest share among all model years. NHTSA lists no recall tied to this engine issue. Median mileage at failure is 46,953.

Engine complaints
16
53% of 30
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
46,953 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration where the vehicle surges forward on its own while parking or pulling into a space, sometimes crashing into walls or structures.
  • Some drivers report the vehicle accelerating again into drive after an initial crash, suggesting a repeat surge rather than a one-time event.
  • Engine oil leaks recurred multiple times on the same vehicle within a short span, starting as early as 15,000 miles and continuing past 44,000 miles.
  • Smoke and fire emerging from the engine compartment were reported both while driving at highway speed and while parked in a driveway.
  • One owner noted a lack of power when the engine was cold along with strong exhaust fumes entering the cabin after merging onto a highway.

When 2011 Lexus RX350 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 2, 2011, latest Jul 7, 2022.

2011 Lexus RX350 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2011Mar 2012Aug 2012Nov 2015Oct 2016Mar 2018Mar 2019Jul 2022
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2011 to Jul 2022; peak Mar 2012 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2011 Lexus RX350

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by RX350 model year

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

  1. 201049 (52%)
  2. 201116 (53%)
  3. 201214 (42%)
  4. 201315 (25%)
  5. 20140 (0%)
  6. 201516 (38%)
  7. 201610 (17%)
  8. 201712 (26%)
  9. 20185 (28%)
  10. 20196 (19%)
  11. 20201 (14%)
  12. 20210 (0%)
  13. 20221 (10%)
  14. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2011 Lexus RX350 have?
NHTSA lists 16 engine-related complaints for the 2011 Lexus RX350, which is 53% of the 30 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Lexus RX350 engine problems?
No. NHTSA shows no related recalls listed for this engine complaint category on the 2011 RX350.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure across engine-area complaints for the 2011 RX350 is 46,953 miles.
Are the engine complaints linked to crashes or fires?
Of the complaints filed in this area, 8 involved crashes, 2 involved fires, and 4 involved injuries.
Does the engine complaint share change in other RX350 years?
Yes. The 2011 RX350's 53% share is the highest of any model year listed, compared to 52% in 2010 and 42% in 2012, with several later years well below 30%.

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.