2011 Lexus Rx Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (225)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2025-12-15 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2025-02-07 · L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2010 – 2026 model year lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of rapgard™. the paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the rapgard™. the wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on
Structure:body 2025-02-07 · L-SB-0017-19 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2010 – 2026 model year lexus vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of rapgard™. the paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the rapgard™. the wrinkles may trap water and cause the paint to stain from the trapped moisture, especially on
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-06-21 · L-SB-0030-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Showing the 6 most recent of 225 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-30 · Vehicle Speed Control“abs, brake, traction control & yield lights are on and beeping sound. also brake pedal is hard!!!!! …”
2023-04-26 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 121,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 lexus rx450h. the contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. the abs warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. the manufactu…”
2020-09-04 · Engine · 164,000 mi“the oil cooler pipe broke on my 2011 lexus rx450h starving the engine of oil as i was driving home from work. the part is currently under warranty enhancement by lexus and is a known problem on my model year of vehicle. the malfunction is particularly insidious as oil only leaks when the engine is running, however with a hybrid when the vehicle s…”
2020-08-21 · Engine · 150,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 lexus rx450h. the contact stated that the engine failed. while her husband was driving, there was black smoke coming out from the exhaust pipe. the driver coasted to the side of the road. the vehicle was towed to lexus of albuquerque, 4821 pan american fwy, , albuquerque, nm 87109, and was diagnosed that the oil cooler …”
2019-05-14 · Engine · 181,000 mi“high pressure engine oil cooler hose ruptured causing an immediate loss of all engine oil and stranding my granddaughter in the outback. the vehicle was being driven on a county highway in the country. the vehicle was in motion when the rupture occurred. it appears that lexus is aware of this problem but did not contact me nor apply the warranty…”
2019-04-17 · Power Train · 88,900 mi“the coolant leaked in my garage. engine making some noises while the car is stationary. diagnosed as having a bad water pump causing a coolant leak.…”
2018-09-24 · Electrical System · 90,000 mi“something in the dashboard console by the radio has overheated, melting the ac vent on the front passenger side. little flecks of plastic started blowing out of the vent, and when i looked inside the vent, i could see where the louvered pieces are melted.…”
2015-07-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 34,336 mi“i bought a 2011 lexus rx450h new at the dealership february of 2011. fast forward to summer of 2014. driving down i-20 in east texas, middle of nowhere, car suddenly has no power, i barely get it on the shoulder. message on dash "check hybrid system". tow truck to dealer. failed or broken fuel pump. three year old car with 34,336 miles. rep…”
2014-08-27 · Seat Belts · 35,000 mi“i drove to a neighborhood subway for lunch. i was unable to release the seat belt when pushing the seat belt release button. fortunately, i am rather small and slight in stature, 5'9" and 150 lbs., and was able to loosen the belt and squirm free. took the car to the dealer and received a loaner car while they fixed the vehicle overnight. thoug…”
2014-04-28 · Vehicle Speed Control · 30,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was pulling into a driveway after i fully stopped my car ( i was waiting for another car to pull out of driveway first). when i braked to stop my car it did not respond initially. i could not stop it fast enough to avoid collision w a parked car in driveway. this was so strange because i was moving my car very slowly. i then put it in reverse to …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.