Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 30 safety complaints
about the 2011 Lexus RX350 with the US government. Of those, 15 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 9 people were injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes.
The most complained-about system is the brakes,
named in 9 complaints, 30% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 43,500 miles,
the median across the 26
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers January 2011 to July 2022 · How this is counted
What is on file
30 complaints on file
30
Complaints
15
Describe a crash
2
Mention fire
9
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 30%
9 30%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8 · 27%
8 27%
ENGINE 7 · 23%
7 23%
AIR BAGS 6 · 20%
6 20%
POWER TRAIN 6 · 20%
6 20%
STRUCTURE 3 · 10%
3 10%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 · 7%
2 7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 · 3%
1 3%
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY 1 · 3%
1 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 · 3%
1 3%
STEERING 1 · 3%
1 3%
TIRES 1 · 3%
1 3%
048
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 30.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2012 at 6.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2011 to 2022.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2011 Lexus RX350, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
16.4%
17.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
1 on file
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
11V377000 · July 26, 2011
The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 32 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · 31,000 miles
WE WERE STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT IN A LEFT TURN LANE. AT 9;30 AT NIGHT THE LIGHT IS SLOW TO CHANGE. IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES IT TURNED GREEN. I COULD SEE CARS STOPPING IN THE LANES. I PULLED OUT ONLY TO BE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT END. FHP ESTIMATED HIS SPEED AT 50MPH. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OUR SEAT BELTS NEVER GAVE AN INCH IN THE CRASH, KEEPING US BACK AGAINST THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE IMPACT CRUSHED ITEMS BACK TO THE FIRE WALL. ON THE LEFT SIDE(SITTING IN THE VEHICLE) WHERE THE BATTERY SITS, THE POLICE, NOR THE IMS COULD UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WAS THE CRASH SO HARD AND FIERCE, THE SYSTEM WAS BYPASSED SOMEHOW? THE INJURIES WE SUFFERED WERE …
NHTSA complaint 10503249, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 35 miles
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
NHTSA complaint 10881685. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 59,000 miles
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
NHTSA complaint 11066495. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 injured · crash · towed · 59,557 miles
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
NHTSA complaint 11073126. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
towed · 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the AWD and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the oil cooler line was leaking. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to an authorized Lexus dealer for assistance. The contact expressed concerns that the failure could have resulted in loss of vehicle control due to traction, as well as a potential for the vehicle to catch on fire due to the oil leak. The vehicle …
NHTSA complaint 11472746, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
fire · towed · 129,000 miles
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.
NHTSA complaint 11210626. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
75,600 miles
MY 2011 LEXUS RX350 HAS RUBBER OIL COOLER HOSE AND LEXUS USA WILL NOT REPLACE THE PRESSURIZED RUBBER HOSE DESPITE KNOWN INCIDENTS OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE PART. ON SOME RX350 MODELS, LEXUS HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT IN CASE THE PART IS LEAKING OIL, BUT I WAS TOLD BY LEXUS THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. BUT EVEN IF I HAD THE WARRANTY, LEXUS WILL NOT PREEMPTIVELY REPLACE THE PART, DESPITE 1) SAFETY CONCERN OF FAILURE ON HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND FIRE HAZARD RISK, 2) POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AS THE LINE WOULD RUPTURE AND ALL OIL WOULD BE LOST WITHIN SECONDS AND ENGINE WOULD SEIZE AND 3) POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE OF LOSS …
NHTSA complaint 11192540, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STEERING
43,000 miles
CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT
NHTSA complaint 11166379. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE:BODY
fire · 97,000 miles
PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN BACK OF HOUSE, BESIDE DECK AFTER SHORT TRIP TO STORE. SMELLED A MELTING SMELL OUTSIDE. MAYBE FIVE MINUTES LATER THE SMELL STARTED COMING INSIDE THE HOUSE. WE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND THOUGHT THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. WE WENT OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SPRAYED CAR WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WHICH DID NOTHING, THEN USED WATER HOSE TO SPRAY FRONT OF CAR TO KEEP FROM THE HOUSE CATCHING ON FIRE. CAR WAS MAKING POPPING NOISES, LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE AND STRONG SMELL. ALL NEIGHBORS CAME OVER IT WAS STRONG. FIRE DEPARTMENT SPENT OVER AN HOUR PUTTING OUT FIRE AND USED THEIR WHOLE TANK OF WATER. FRONT END MELTED, TIRES POPPED, DASHBOARD …
NHTSA complaint 11119918, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 injured · crash · towed · 66,437 miles
12/7/2017 I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK AT 1 PM. I SLOWED DOWN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I WAS PUTTING IT INTO THE PARK POSITION WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND AND PUT A HOLE IN THE GARAGE DOOR AND KNOCKED IT OFF TRACK.I WAS STUNNED & SURPRISED.MY HUSBAND AND I COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS ACTION. ON 12/14/17 I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AT FOY PARK IN BURBANK CA. I SLOWLY PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE ,MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS I PUT THE CAR INTO THE PARK POSITION THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR TOOK OFF OVER A CEMENT PARKING BLOCK AND OVER THE CURB, WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND LANDED IN THE BRUSH WITH 3 WHEELS OFF THE GROUND AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING WITH MY FOOT ON THE …
NHTSA complaint 11078721, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed July 26, 2011.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst