2011 Lexus RX350: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 lexus rx350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, noticed smoke emerging from the engine compartment. No warning indicators illuminated. The fire department extinguished the fire. The police was also present. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a third party company evaluated it, they diagnostic was unknown cause for the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
“Tl* the contact owned a 2011 lexus rx350. While pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated to 50 mph. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a wall and reversed at 50 mph. The contact switched the gear back into drive and the vehicle accelerated again, which caused the vehicle to crash into the wall again. The contact sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,557. *ln updated 10/1/18*jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2017
“As I was trying to park my vehicle, it accelerated and hit a building then went backwards. I managed to keep the car from reversing into the street but the brakes did not work and car did not slow down. It hit the building a second time. I put the car in park and it stopped. None of the airbags inflated and the car was totaled. Toyota took no blame for the accident and I'm left without a vehicle. This car is in a group of recalled cars, lexus does not have records of ever recalling this truck”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 lexus rx350. When the brake pedal was depressed at 55 mph, the vehicle failed to respond. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle. Another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact then crashed into the median. A police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2016
“I want to know if my car's air bags are safe. I recently was told many older lexus suv's had dangerous air bags and the car owners were able to receive safe cars from lexus.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“Please see the attached better business bureau complaint. We are making this complaint in order to do our part of alerting you that there could be a potential hazard with the make and model of this car. We do not want what happened to us to happen to anyone else. The car was on a highway in motion when this happened. Thank you. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2016
“My airbag did not deploy during a accident my car was total and I push down on my brakes it hit the back of a truck my injury were really bad I felt that my brakes and airbag”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“1) engine oil leak at 15,000 miles only on may 8, 2013 (after merely "2 years old") 2) another 3 leaks in year 2015 alone a) engine oil leak again on march 27, 2015 ( 33,802 miles only ) b) less than 2 months, engine oil leak again on may 7, 2015 ( 35,284 miles only ) c) repeat the 4th time engine oil leak again on dec. 26,2015 (44,013 miles only ) *** per all 4 repair service invoices/records provided by longo lexus dealership, california, this is major engine oil leaks problem!!!!”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2015
“On november 3, 2015, lexus rx350 (2011) came to a complete stop at a parking lot. When the gear was about to be put in to parking, the vehicle suddenly accelerated itself and moved approximately 40 ft forward. The car sprang out going over a cement parking block, iron fence that was dividing one building's parking lot to another, and fell about 5 ft below since the parking lot was in higher level than other building's parking lot. The vehicle kept moving even after falling from the higher ground and came to a stop after hitting a tree.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 lexus rx350 equipped with dunlop tires, size: 235/55r19 (na). While driving approximately 45 mph, there was a loud sound coming from outside the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle started wobbling and was difficult to steer. The contact pulled over and discovered that the rear passenger side tire was blown out. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was confirmed that the tire needed to be replaced. The tire was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage 66,000 and the tire failure mileage was 12,506. The dot number was not available.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact RX350 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Lexus RX350 reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2011 Lexus RX350. The most complained-about area is service brakes (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Lexus RX350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 46,953 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Lexus RX350 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.