2010 Lexus IS 250
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2010 Lexus IS 250 has 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 38. The most common issue is air bags problems (60% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owned a 2010 lexus is 250. while driving approximately 50 mph, the contact swerved to avoid a crash from an oncoming vehicle. as a result, another vehicle rear ended the contact's vehicle. the contact's vehicle crashed into a tree and the air bags failed to deploy. the driver sustai. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.
43
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
AIR BAGS
26 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A CRASH FROM AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAI
- • CAR WENT HEAD ON INTO TELEPHONE POLE. CAR WAS TOTALED. SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY..... UPDATED 06/30/15 *BF
- • THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON ON THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! ALTHOUGH LEXUS HAS REALIZED THIS IS AN ISSUE, THEY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEIR DESIGN FLAWS AND CHARGING AN EXORBITANT PRICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE CONSID
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A CRASH FROM AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAI”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2010 Lexus IS 250
Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 39K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (6)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Lexus IS 250
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Lexus IS 250
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Lexus IS 250 Service Intervals
Toyota Motor Corporation-recommended 10K interval with 0W-20 synthetic. Hybrid models use conventional service intervals; battery is 10-year warranty.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Lexus New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Hybrid battery is now 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids
These are the terms for a new Lexus. If you're buying a used 2010 IS 250, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lexus dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 43 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A CRASH FROM AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A LOANER 2010 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES FROM APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY WHILE IT WAS SNOWING. I ACTIVATED MY ECT SNOW BUTTON ON MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO GO UP AND DOWN TWO LARGE SNOW COVERED MOUNTAINS. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY TRAVERSING THE TERRAIN, I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN WHEN I BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY SAFETY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS250. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOWN, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD RATTLE EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE WINDOWS WERE MANUFACTURER TO OPERATE AS THEY WERE AND THERE WAS NOT A REPAIR NECESSARY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lexus IS 250 — Year Comparison
How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 43
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 8
- Injury reports
- 4
- Segment avg
- 38
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2010 Lexus IS 250