RoadVitals

2011 Lexus GX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Oct 1, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Lexus GX, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and steering categories. 60 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags430.8%
  • Engine430.8%
  • Steering215.4%
  • Body & structure17.7%
  • Suspension17.7%
  • Tires & wheels17.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 11
Airbags
Filed Oct 1, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2011 Lexus GX 460. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH while crossing an intersection, a vehicle turned in front of the contact's vehicle. The contact's vehicle broadsided the other vehicle, where it came to a stop. No warning light was illuminated. The front driver-side, front passenger-side, or side curtain air bags deploy. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained nerve damage to both hands and neck. Both legs have bruises, and she has pain in her chest and abdomen. There was a police report filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The insurance company was notified and declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

NHTSA ID
11690823
Incident
Sep 24, 2025
Mileage
137,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2025

Timing cover leaks oil

NHTSA ID
11653072
Incident
Jan 1, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Jan 31, 2023

There is significant rust on the frame of the vehicle

NHTSA ID
11504602
Incident
Jan 31, 2023
Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2020

THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A LEAKING VALLEY PLATE AND CAM TOWER COVER WITH LITTLE OVER 82,000 MILES ON IT. AN ONLINE SEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SHARED ACROSS THE LEXUS (GX460) AND TOYOTA (TUNDRA) PLATFORMS WITH THIS ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
11360504
Incident
Feb 14, 2020
Engine
Filed May 30, 2020

THE TIMING COVER GASKET BEGAN TO LEAK OIL AT 65,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT FOR THIS ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11326648
Incident
Mar 30, 2019
Engine
Filed Oct 16, 2019

10.6.19 RADIATOR BLEW.WHILE DRIVING.ON BRIDGE ON INTERSTATE. ENGINE OVER HEATED. ENGINE WAS SUPPOSED TO SHUT DOWN. ENGINE BLEW HEAD GASKET. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FROM A EMISSION SYSTEMS RECALL. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT ENGINE WAS OVER HEATING. NO ALERTS. HAD AN APPOINTMENT ON 10.13.19 TO FIX RECALLED EMISSIONS SYSTEM. NEED NEW ENGINE AND RADIATOR. COST $10,000 MINIMIUM

NHTSA ID
11268894
Incident
Oct 6, 2019
Mileage
190,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 24, 2017

TAKATA RECALL IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR, AND STILL "INCOMPLETE" WITHOUT SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID
11010213
Incident
May 1, 2017
Airbags
Filed Feb 6, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. RECALL HAS BEEN OPEN SINCE MAY 2016, BUT NO PARTS AVAILABLE YET.

NHTSA ID
10949784
Incident
Feb 6, 2017

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0017-19 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

L-SB-0017-19 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 horizontal surfaces such as the hood, roof, and trunk.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

L-SB-0030-24

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This Service Bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lexus GX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100—
2025132047.9
2024184053.6
2023600—
2022500—
2021200—
2020300—
2019800—
2018200—
2017501—
2016300—
2015300—
2014150046.8
2013100041.6
2012300—
2011Viewing110043.9
2010700—
2009010—
2008200—
2007120028.0
2006100027.2
2005300—
2004200035.9
2003500—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.