2010 Lexus IS
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2010 Lexus IS has 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.6x the segment average of 14. The most common issue is air bags problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall. recently financed a 2010 lexus is250 in dec 2015. shortly after i can't recall exactly when i noticed the airbag light was lit on, but i never paid much attention because i assumed that it was lit because it meant working active. after doing research i have learned that this was not. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.
51
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
3.6x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
AIR BAGS
16 complaints- • TAKATA RECALL. RECENTLY FINANCED A 2010 LEXUS IS250 IN DEC 2015. SHORTLY AFTER I CAN'T RECALL EXACTLY WHEN I NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT ON, BUT I NEVER PAID MUCH ATTENTION BECAUSE I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS LIT BECAUSE IT MEANT WORKING ACTIVE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS WAS NOT
- • TAKATA RECALL; I WANT THIS TAKEN CARE OF! I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL BECAUSE I WENT TO TRADE MY CAR IN FOR A NEW ONE. I CANNOT AFFORD THE NEW ONE NOW, BUT I DRIVE MY GRANDCHILDREN AROUND EVERY DAY. NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS AND I AM LIVID. I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 5,000 MILES AT THE LOC
- • TAKATA INFLATORS- I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JUNE 2016 AND WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN SEP 2016, THEN OCT- JAN 2017 AND FINALLY EARLY 2017. I WAS TOLD NOT TO HAVE ANYONE RIDE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT. 1. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE LONG TERM 2. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR MY CURRE
“TAKATA RECALL. RECENTLY FINANCED A 2010 LEXUS IS250 IN DEC 2015. SHORTLY AFTER I CAN'T RECALL EXACTLY WHEN I NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT ON, BUT I NEVER PAID MUCH ATTENTION BECAUSE I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS LIT BECAUSE IT MEANT WORKING ACTIVE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS WAS NOT”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2010 Lexus IS
Based on 19 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 67K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
SPEED CONTROL
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 (1)
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Risk: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Lexus IS
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
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 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, 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 51 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL. RECENTLY FINANCED A 2010 LEXUS IS250 IN DEC 2015. SHORTLY AFTER I CAN'T RECALL EXACTLY WHEN I NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT ON, BUT I NEVER PAID MUCH ATTENTION BECAUSE I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS LIT BECAUSE IT MEANT WORKING ACTIVE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS WAS NOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: I PURCHASED A LEXUS IS350C ON FEB 12, 2010. ON JULY 29, 2010 WITH A LITTLE OVER 9,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AT WHIPPLE HEADED NORTH ON 101, I ACCELERATED REALLY HARD TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN I LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR LOST POWER! I COULDN'T ACCELERATE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: CURRENTLY HAVE A 2010 LEXUS IS250 AWD (BOUGHT ON 2/9/2010) AND NOTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE RPMS INCREASE RANDOMLY AFTER THE CAR HAS STOPPED AND IS STATIONARY. THE CAR INCHES FORWARD AND THE DRIVER HAS TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE SURE THE CAR DOESN'T LURCH FORWARD AND HI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED, PRODUCING A SIGNIFICANT GLARE THAT IMPAIRS MY VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUN HITS IT. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Lexus dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lexus IS — 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
- 51
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 10
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 14
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2010 Lexus IS