2010 Lexus IS 250C
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2010 Lexus IS 250C has 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 11. The most common issue is air bags problems (91% of all complaints), specifically: i [xxx] received a recall notice (undated envelope from lexus informing me of the takata front passenger recall. inside the notice was information (in summary) that i am in the highest risk category, within the time parameters of possible degrading, territory due to temperatures in the zone where i . There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.
11
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 2 of 2)
AIR BAGS
10 complaints- • I [XXX] RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (UNDATED ENVELOPE FROM LEXUS INFORMING ME OF THE TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER RECALL. INSIDE THE NOTICE WAS INFORMATION (IN SUMMARY) THAT I AM IN THE HIGHEST RISK CATEGORY, WITHIN THE TIME PARAMETERS OF POSSIBLE DEGRADING, TERRITORY DUE TO TEMPERATURES IN THE ZONE WHERE I
- • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS 250C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME
- • TAKATA RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL FOR AIRBAGS. I'M FEELING VERY UNSAFE.
“I [XXX] RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (UNDATED ENVELOPE FROM LEXUS INFORMING ME OF THE TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER RECALL. INSIDE THE NOTICE WAS INFORMATION (IN SUMMARY) THAT I AM IN THE HIGHEST RISK CATEGORY, WITHIN THE TIME PARAMETERS OF POSSIBLE DEGRADING, TERRITORY DUE TO TEMPERATURES IN THE ZONE WHERE I ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
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.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Lexus IS 250C
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 250C 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 250C, 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 11 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: I [XXX] RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (UNDATED ENVELOPE FROM LEXUS INFORMING ME OF THE TAKATA FRONT PASSENGER RECALL. INSIDE THE NOTICE WAS INFORMATION (IN SUMMARY) THAT I AM IN THE HIGHEST RISK CATEGORY, WITHIN THE TIME PARAMETERS OF POSSIBLE DEGRADING, TERRITORY DUE TO TEMPERATURES IN THE ZONE WHERE I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS 250C. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND USING THE BACKUP CAMERA, VISIBILITY WAS POOR AND THE CAMERA FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUF
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 250C — Year Comparison
How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 11
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2010 Lexus IS 250C