CarComplaints.com Notes: Kiplinger's named it one of the greatest cars of the 21st century, we wouldn't go that far but for the price it's a nice ride.

Just make sure to keep an eye on these acceleration problems reported to NHTSA.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,310 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Lexus RX 350 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Lexus RX 350:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Lexus RX 350 Owner Comments

problem #8

Nov 082017

RX 350 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,557 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. Updated 10/1/18

- Union, NJ, USA

problem #7

Nov 032015

RX 350

  • 43,000 miles
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.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #6

May 162014

RX 350 6-cyl

  • 49,906 miles
I was driving South on Georgia 400 merging onto 85 South when I saw cars stopped in front of me. I immediately applied me brakes - to no avail. My car kept going. I ran into the back of the car in front of me creating a four car wreck. I later learned from a market valuation report that: 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. 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. Dealers will replace the brake actuator with a new one, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during August 2011. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. I was unaware of the recall, I never received notification. I took my car in for every scheduled maintenance. To the best of my knowledge, at this time, I was the only person injured in the crash. It appears that the problem was not corrected in my car; thus, I am filing a complaint.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #5

Aug 112012

RX 350 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Turned into parking space. Car began accelerating on its own. I applied the brakes continuously, threw the car into park to no avail. The car jolted forward, crashing into the storefront, breaking glass windows. The (approx) 2 feet of block wall stopped the car. The vehicle was not in my control in spite of all effort to bring the car to a stop. Had someone been walking on the sidewalk in front of the store (salon), I would have been powerless to keep from injuring or killing them. This was not driver error. I was fully "in the moment, " and aware of what was happening.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #4

Jun 132012

RX 350 6-cyl

  • 12,500 miles
I was stopped at a red light. The car felt like it jumped / accelerated from nowhere, and I collided with the vehicle in front of me in a rear-end collision. Damaged caused to my entire front end and the other vehicles back end. Impact speed is unknown but it felt like 5-10mph and definitely not a roll-hit or a bump of a hit. I was stopped and then the vehicle just accelerated into the car ahead of me.

- Oceanside, NY, USA

problem #3

Mar 272012

RX 350 6-cyl

  • 9,390 miles
While pulling into driveway, my wife took her foot off accelerator and car suddenly accelerated and ran into wall of house damaging front of car and causing damage to house and contents.

- Miramar Lakes, FL, USA

problem #2

Mar 032012

RX 350 6-cyl

  • 2,124 miles
I experienced a sudden unintended acceleration (sua) in the parking lot of my apartment on March 3rd, 2012. It was a sunny day, and the road condition was good. My wife was driving Lexus rx 350 2011 model (mileage: 2124miles). My daughter and I were sitting on the back seats. She was slowing down the vehicle for parking and about to finalize the parking by going forward by about 3 feet. At that time, the vehicle abruptly accelerated with the sound of revving up the engine. The car ran over a parking block and went on curb stones. By help of the brake override system equipped after the recent Toyota's recalls, she could stop the vehicle quickly because her foot was already on the brake pedal. We all were surprised at this rare situation, but fortunately there were no accidents or injuries. We reported this experience to a close Lexus dealership. Two Lexus engineers inspected the vehicle, including 10-mile test driving. However, they could not find any mechanical problems. They could not re-enact the same situation, neither. At this inspection, they did not check out the event data recorder, as well as any electronic systems like etcs. According to the inspection result, Lexus directed me to keep driving this vehicle with my own risk. This is not related to the floor mat interference problem that led to the massive recall in 2009. So, I think the current Lexus users, as well as potential consumers, should be aware of the possibility that they can experience the similar unintended acceleration while driving or parking.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

problem #1

Sep 262011

RX 350 6-cyl

  • miles
2011 Lexus RX350. Consumer states after turning a half circle, the vehicle suddenly skidded and hit the left curb and the left front tire ruptured and vehicle kept moving toward the driver's side despite consumer trying to stop the vehicle the consumer stated he crashed into a nearby concrete fence head-on. The vehicle was deemed totaled. The consumer believed the brakes may have failed.

- Tamuning, GU, USA

Not what you are looking for?