BestCarRank
Lexus

2010 Lexus RX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Lexus RX has 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.7x the segment average of 39. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2010 lexus rx450h. while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle began to unintentionally decelerate. during the failure the check engine, all wheel drive and hybrid system lights were illuminating. the vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where they were in the pr.

8 crash reports 2 injuries

106

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

2.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

23 complaints
22%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450H. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO UNINTENTIONALLY DECELERATE. DURING THE FAILURE THE CHECK ENGINE, ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PR
  • SERVICE BRAKES, MARCH 13, 2011 - MANSFIELD MA I PURCHASED MY 2010 LEXUS RX 450H IN DECEMBER 2010. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT, I HAVE NOTICED THAT FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR SEEMS TO SURGE FORWARD(!) MOMENTARILY BEFORE IT SLOWS DOWN. THIS HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY. IT WILL HA
  • THE VVT-I OIL LINE ON MY LEXUS RX350 BURST WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. IT WAS A VERY LARGE LEAK WHICH COVERED THE GROUND, ENGINE, AND UNDERCARRIAGE. THE LOW ENGINE OIL MESSAGE AND ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNINGS CAME ON WHEN IT HAPPENED. COMPLETE LOSS OF OIL AND NO VISIBLE OIL ON THE DIP STICK. AFTER L
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450H. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO UNINTENTIONALLY DECELERATE. DURING THE FAILURE THE CHECK ENGINE, ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PR

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Lexus RX

Based on 62 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
37
30-60K
3
60-100K
3
100-150K
13
150-200K
5
200K+
1

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
1

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 113K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
5
150-200K
2
200K+
0

OTHER

High-mileage issuemedian 105K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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.

Low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Lexus RX

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,286
Per month
$191
Per mile
19.1¢
MPG
21
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,920/yr

Based 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 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Lexus RX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,729
Full coverage / month
$144
Liability only / year
$732
vs US avg
+3%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x
× theft risk0.90x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1729

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lexus RX Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
5K mi
Brake fluid
30 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
120K mi
Cabin air filter
30K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
6 yr / 70K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 150K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
6 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

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 RX, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 106 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450H. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO UNINTENTIONALLY DECELERATE. DURING THE FAILURE THE CHECK ENGINE, ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: LEXUS HYBRID SUV 2010 RX450H. CAR WAS IN SNOW SETTING AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE ON A LIGHT SNOW SURFACE, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKES AND I ALSO WAS UNABLE TO STEER. I CONTINUED FORWARD UNTIL I REACHED CLEAR PAVEMENT AND WAS THEN ABLE TO BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TODAY UNDER THE SAME C

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: I AM WRITING TO YOU TO DESCRIBE A VERY DANGEROUS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LEXUS RX 450H. I AM LUCKY THAT A GUARDRAIL PREVENTED ME FROM GOING OFF A CLIFF AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT OTHER DRIVERS WILL NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE ON AN INCH OF SO OF FRESH SNOW IN INCLINE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SPEED CONTROL: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450H. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH OVER A BUMPY ROAD SURFACE. THERE WAS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN WHICH THERE WAS A DELAY POWER RESPONSE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER ENCOUNTERING A BUMP

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
106
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
8
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
39

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2010 Lexus RX