This page covers 7 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Lexus Is 350.
20 mpg combined
11.8 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The 2011 Lexus IS 350 has 7 recalls, the most serious being the Takata passenger-side airbag inflator, which can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
Multiple recall filings cover the same airbag inflator defect, with some filings limited to vehicles registered in high-humidity states and territories including Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and others. The risk is the same across all of them: a rupturing inflator throwing sharp metal shrapnel toward the driver and passengers. There is also a fuel system concern involving the fuel pulsation damper, a small component in the fuel delivery system whose internal diaphragm can harden and crack over time, allowing gasoline to leak near potential ignition sources and raising the risk of an engine fire. Separately from both of those, a recall covers the variable valve timing system, where bolts can loosen and allow internal engine components to separate, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
At a glance
What can fail
Driver or passenger front airbag inflators previously replaced under an earlier recall may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, high temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
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Dealers will replace the affected front airbag inflator, assembly, or sub-assembly depending on vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly depending on your vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber diaphragm inside the fuel pulsation damper can harden and crack over time, potentially causing fuel to leak from the fuel system.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new one containing improved pulsation dampers that resist hardening and cracking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during deployment due to degradation from humidity and temperature exposure over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or entire air bag assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the Variable-Valve Timing gear assembly housing and sprocket can loosen due to abnormal impacts that occur right after a cold start.
What the fix does
Lexus dealers will replace the Variable-Valve Timing unit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
