2010 Lexus RX HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2010 Lexus RX HYBRID has 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: hybrid vehicle + kelsey ignition = deadly combination. we accidentally left our 2010 lexus rx450h in the garage with the ignition "on" and turned in for the night. since it is a hybrid, it makes no sound - even when "running". so we were unaware the ignition was still on. much later in the eveni. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 2 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

3 complaints

23%

• HYBRID VEHICLE + KELSEY IGNITION = DEADLY COMBINATION. WE ACCIDENTALLY LEFT OUR 2010 LEXUS RX450H IN THE GARAGE WITH THE IGNITION "ON" AND TURNED IN FOR THE NIGHT. SINCE IT IS A HYBRID, IT MAKES NO SOUND - EVEN WHEN "RUNNING". SO WE WERE UNAWARE THE IGNITION WAS STILL ON. MUCH LATER IN THE EVENI
• IN OCTOBER MY WIFE WAS RETURNING FROM A 9.5 HOURS TRIP WITH 1 FUEL STOP APPROX 4 HOURS FROM HOME. EXITING I95 THE CAR HAD NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER (VSC, CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, AWD SYSTEM AND OTHERS). SHE COASTED THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT, ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF AND BAC
• OIL COOLER HOSE COMPLETE RUPTURE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, NO OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER ALL OIL DRAINED OUT, BLUE FIRE BALL IGNITED OUT BACK OF CAR & ENGINE FROZE UP HAVING CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. THANKFULLY MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT INJURED ONLY STRANDED. HOWEVER CAR IS DEAD. 8 YEA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“HYBRID VEHICLE + KELSEY IGNITION = DEADLY COMBINATION. WE ACCIDENTALLY LEFT OUR 2010 LEXUS RX450H IN THE GARAGE WITH THE IGNITION "ON" AND TURNED IN FOR THE NIGHT. SINCE IT IS A HYBRID, IT MAKES NO SOUND - EVEN WHEN "RUNNING". SO WE WERE UNAWARE THE IGNITION WAS STILL ON. MUCH LATER IN THE EVENI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

2 complaints

15%

• HYBRID VEHICLE + KELSEY IGNITION = DEADLY COMBINATION. WE ACCIDENTALLY LEFT OUR 2010 LEXUS RX450H IN THE GARAGE WITH THE IGNITION "ON" AND TURNED IN FOR THE NIGHT. SINCE IT IS A HYBRID, IT MAKES NO SOUND - EVEN WHEN "RUNNING". SO WE WERE UNAWARE THE IGNITION WAS STILL ON. MUCH LATER IN THE EVENI
• VEHICLE SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT DURING A HEAVY RAIN THAT TURNED INTO FREEZING RAIN. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR A WARNING CAME ON TO CHECK THE HYBRID SYSTEM. WHEN CALLED, LEXUS SAID THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR. AFTER VEHICLE WAS TOWED

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

2 complaints

15%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450 HYBRID. AR APPROXIMATELY 6:10AM ON SATURDAY DEC. 10TH, IN CLEAR WEATHER, WHILE OPERATING HER VEHICLE, SHE ENTERED A PARKING AREA AND BACKED INTO A YELLOW BARRIER POST AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE AGAIN REVE
• I WAS DRIVING LAST MONTH (APPROX 1,07000 MILES) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DASHBOARD DISPLAY HAD LIGHTS AND FLASHING MESSAGES THAT SAID THERE WAS AN ABS BRAKE MALFUNCTION. I DROVE IT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER (ROYAL PALM BEACH, FLORIDA) AND THEY GOT THE ERROR CODE C 1391 ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR PUMP

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450 HYBRID. AR APPROXIMATELY 6:10AM ON SATURDAY DEC. 10TH, IN CLEAR WEATHER, WHILE OPERATING HER VEHICLE, SHE ENTERED A PARKING AREA AND BACKED INTO A YELLOW BARRIER POST AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE AGAIN REVE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

2 complaints

15%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX 450 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MAN
• IN OCTOBER MY WIFE WAS RETURNING FROM A 9.5 HOURS TRIP WITH 1 FUEL STOP APPROX 4 HOURS FROM HOME. EXITING I95 THE CAR HAD NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER (VSC, CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, AWD SYSTEM AND OTHERS). SHE COASTED THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT, ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF AND BAC

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX 450 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MAN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

1 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450 HYBRID. AR APPROXIMATELY 6:10AM ON SATURDAY DEC. 10TH, IN CLEAR WEATHER, WHILE OPERATING HER VEHICLE, SHE ENTERED A PARKING AREA AND BACKED INTO A YELLOW BARRIER POST AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE AGAIN REVE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 13 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: HYBRID VEHICLE + KELSEY IGNITION = DEADLY COMBINATION. WE ACCIDENTALLY LEFT OUR 2010 LEXUS RX450H IN THE GARAGE WITH THE IGNITION "ON" AND TURNED IN FOR THE NIGHT. SINCE IT IS A HYBRID, IT MAKES NO SOUND - EVEN WHEN "RUNNING". SO WE WERE UNAWARE THE IGNITION WAS STILL ON. MUCH LATER IN THE EVENI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: HYBRID VEHICLE + KELSEY IGNITION = DEADLY COMBINATION. WE ACCIDENTALLY LEFT OUR 2010 LEXUS RX450H IN THE GARAGE WITH THE IGNITION "ON" AND TURNED IN FOR THE NIGHT. SINCE IT IS A HYBRID, IT MAKES NO SOUND - EVEN WHEN "RUNNING". SO WE WERE UNAWARE THE IGNITION WAS STILL ON. MUCH LATER IN THE EVENI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450 HYBRID. AR APPROXIMATELY 6:10AM ON SATURDAY DEC. 10TH, IN CLEAR WEATHER, WHILE OPERATING HER VEHICLE, SHE ENTERED A PARKING AREA AND BACKED INTO A YELLOW BARRIER POST AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE AGAIN REVE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX 450 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MAN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)