RoadVitals

2010 Lexus IS Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
39
Latest May 8, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Lexus IS, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1634.8%
  • Driver assistance715.2%
  • Engine48.7%
  • Electrical36.5%
  • Transmission36.5%
  • Visibility24.3%
  • Brakes24.3%
  • Fuel system24.3%
  • Powertrain (other)24.3%
  • Steering24.3%
  • Tires & wheels12.2%
  • Suspension12.2%
  • Interior & seats12.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I had a head on collision with a light pole and the airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was inspected by aProgressive insurance claims adjuster and they claimed the vehicle a total loss. They kept the vehicle. There were no warning lights or anything. The vehicle had been taken into a North Park Lexus dealership after a defective airbag recall to be serviced in 2018.

NHTSA ID 11690692 · filed Oct 1, 2025

DEALER, ATLANTIC CITY LEXUS, ADVISES THAT IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AS IT INVOLVES MILES OF WIRES. THEREFORE, I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR.

NHTSA ID 11386423 · filed Jan 4, 2021
All 16 reports naming airbags

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Lexus IS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled, the vehicle independently accelerated while the accelerator pedal was not depressed, and all of the doors locked independently and were inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a diagnosis however, the dealer stated that the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to get a diagnosis however, the failure cause was unidentifiable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ID 11736579 · filed May 8, 2026

FROM TIME TO TIME AS IM DRIVING TO EITHER SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN, MY CAR HAS NO POWER AND THEN WITHIN 2-3 SECONDS IT HITS HARD BACK INTO GEAR. I RESEARCHED IT ON LINE ABOUT OTHER LEXUS AND IT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE COMPUTER AND IT HAS A GLITCHES IN THE SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RESET/CLEARED , THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT HITS SO HARD THAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED AND HURTS YOUR BACK AND NECK . THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY LEXUS AT LEXUS EXPENSE, THANK YOU

NHTSA ID 11637041 · filed Jan 20, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FROM TIME TO TIME AS IM DRIVING TO EITHER SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN, MY CAR HAS NO POWER AND THEN WITHIN 2-3 SECONDS IT HITS HARD BACK INTO GEAR. I RESEARCHED IT ON LINE ABOUT OTHER LEXUS AND IT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE COMPUTER AND IT HAS A GLITCHES IN THE SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RESET/CLEARED , THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT HITS SO HARD THAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED AND HURTS YOUR BACK AND NECK . THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY LEXUS AT LEXUS EXPENSE, THANK YOU

NHTSA ID 11637041 · filed Jan 20, 2025

While driving home in the freeway, I felt my car shake then a sudden loss of power. Then my CEL started blinking and my VSC lit. Got a code for engine misfire(P0302). Is250 has a lot of cases on engine misfires because of excessive carbon build up because of how the engine is designed. My car only has 108,000miles. Lexus released a Customer Support Program for this problem but it already expired. They only gave 9 years from date of purchase for it to be eligible for the free fix. It means they are aware of the problem but my 2010 car just missed that window but I am having the same problem many IS250 owners have. It is really unsafe when you’re driving in the freeway then it suddenly loses power. Hopefully this problem gets resolved by Lexus soon.

NHTSA ID 11483484 · filed Sep 8, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Lexus IS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled, the vehicle independently accelerated while the accelerator pedal was not depressed, and all of the doors locked independently and were inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a diagnosis however, the dealer stated that the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to get a diagnosis however, the failure cause was unidentifiable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ID 11736579 · filed May 8, 2026

My car experienced sudden unintended acceleration. I was at a stop light preparing to turn right when my car accelerated of its own accord crashing into the vehicle in front of me. My foot was firmly on the brake, but I had lost control over the vehicle. Whatever electrical defect I experienced, it was sufficient to rev the engine by itself and override the braking system enough that the vehicle advanced forward in an out-of-control manner. It was unintended, unexpected and beyond my ability to control. Failing to recognize the braking system, my vehicle collided into the vehicle a second time. Because my foot was on the brake and my vehicle still advanced forward, I initially thought I had been hit from behind. However, the erratic RPM behavior and the vehicle's continued acceleration while braking confirmed I was no longer in control of the vehicle. Acting promptly, I immediately took the gear shifter out of drive and put into neutral. It was then and only then that I regained control of the vehicle: it stopped accelerating, stopped revving of its own accord and began responding to the braking system. Please note: my foot was not on the gas pedal, for as soon as I took it out of drive, the RPM returned to normal (i.e. the erratic behavior indicated by the tachometer's RPM, stopped). Had my foot been on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal, the revving would have continued to behave as before; but it did not. (I do not have an all-weather floor mat. It is neither here nor there, because in the event that I did have one, you would expect the RPM behavior to continue when put into neutral; but again, all behavior returned to normal when the vehicle was put in neutral.) Though I am sympathetic to those that panic in a moment of distress, I was of a present enough mind to know what was happening. An electrical engineer with intimate knowledge of the computer system for this vehicle would be the best to assess what went wrong from a technical perspective.

NHTSA ID 11680755 · filed Aug 14, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS 2010 IS250 WAS PURCHASED NEW IN OCTOBER 2009 AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 3,300 MILES. ON FEB 19TH, 2010 DRIVER MADE A U-TURN AT LOW SPEED. AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE TURN THE CAR STARTED AN UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING IT TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT. THE CAR THEN JUMPED A CURB WITH THE WHEEL STILL SPINNING AND THE BOTTOM RESTING ON THE CURB. PUSHING AND HOLDING THE START/STOP BUTTON IN THE CAR FINALLY CUT THE ENGINE. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE AND LEFT REAR WHEEL OF THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION COULD HAVE LED TO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT SOUTH BAY LEXUS IN TORRANCE CA. *TR

NHTSA ID 10316116 · filed Mar 3, 2010

2008 LEXUS IS250 AWD HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND STOPPED. WHEN THE OPERATOR TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK THE ENGINE REVVED AND CAR MOVED VIOLENTLY FORWARD CLIMBING AN EIGHT INCH CURB TO HIT A CONCRETE COLUMN ON THE FRONT OF AN OFFICE BUILDING. THE DRIVER HAD THEIR FOOT OFF THE GAS AND APPLIED THE BRAKE TO NO EFFECT, WHEN THE DRIVER MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO BACK OFF THE COLUMN IN REVERSE AND PARK THE VEHICLE. HAVE TURNED THE CAR OVER TO LEXUS AND A FACTORY FIELD REPRESENTATIVE IS SCHEDULED TO EXAMINE. CAR IS AT TOYOTA KNOXVILLE BODY SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10314521 · filed Feb 26, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I have a stick dashboard and it’s impairing my vision to see out of front windshield. Lexus did have a recall, but it expired. However, I’m still in danger while driving because of glare.

NHTSA ID 11695432 · filed Oct 24, 2025

THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED, PRODUCING A SIGNIFICANT GLARE THAT IMPAIRS MY VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUN HITS IT. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY.

NHTSA ID 11103835 · filed Jun 25, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My car experienced sudden unintended acceleration. I was at a stop light preparing to turn right when my car accelerated of its own accord crashing into the vehicle in front of me. My foot was firmly on the brake, but I had lost control over the vehicle. Whatever electrical defect I experienced, it was sufficient to rev the engine by itself and override the braking system enough that the vehicle advanced forward in an out-of-control manner. It was unintended, unexpected and beyond my ability to control. Failing to recognize the braking system, my vehicle collided into the vehicle a second time. Because my foot was on the brake and my vehicle still advanced forward, I initially thought I had been hit from behind. However, the erratic RPM behavior and the vehicle's continued acceleration while braking confirmed I was no longer in control of the vehicle. Acting promptly, I immediately took the gear shifter out of drive and put into neutral. It was then and only then that I regained control of the vehicle: it stopped accelerating, stopped revving of its own accord and began responding to the braking system. Please note: my foot was not on the gas pedal, for as soon as I took it out of drive, the RPM returned to normal (i.e. the erratic behavior indicated by the tachometer's RPM, stopped). Had my foot been on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal, the revving would have continued to behave as before; but it did not. (I do not have an all-weather floor mat. It is neither here nor there, because in the event that I did have one, you would expect the RPM behavior to continue when put into neutral; but again, all behavior returned to normal when the vehicle was put in neutral.) Though I am sympathetic to those that panic in a moment of distress, I was of a present enough mind to know what was happening. An electrical engineer with intimate knowledge of the computer system for this vehicle would be the best to assess what went wrong from a technical perspective.

NHTSA ID 11680755 · filed Aug 14, 2025

DAILY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS WAS EASING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD OVER A CURB EVENTUALLY CRASHING INTO A TREE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURB IT WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT LEADING TO A GREAT DEAL OF CHAOS AND CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO BE APPLIED, BUT THE DRIVER IS CONFIDENT THAT THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED WHEN THE INITIAL SURGE OCCURRED. THE DRIVER'S SPOUSE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR EVENT ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 2 MPH DOWN A LONG DRIVEWAY. IN THIS INSTANCE THE ENGINE REVVED TO A HIGHER SPEED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE BRAKES DID STOP THE CAR BEFORE THE ENGINE SPEED RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10484779 · filed Nov 15, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Developed a fuel leak at the tank that has previously been exactly described as a recall on the exact year make and model of this vehicle however, when entering my VIN it does not show my VIN number as being affected. I feel there has been a mistake on the Vin number range. However, Lexus refuses to handle the issue under the recall since the VIN number does not trigger as such.

NHTSA ID 11705266 · filed Dec 16, 2025

THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL OF THE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE ON MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2010. I AM CURRENTLY IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THE FUEL PUMP ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS IT IS LEAKING AS WELL. THEY ARE TELLING ME IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL AND IS ALMOST $2,4000. PER CONSUMER REPORT: TOYOTA AND LEXUS ARE RECALLING ABOUT 1.8 MILLION VEHICLES FROM THE 2013 THROUGH 2019 MODEL YEARS BECAUSE THEIR FUEL PUMP COULD STOP WORKING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN STALL OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES ARE BEING ADDED TO AN EXISTING RECALL THAT WAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY. I WOULD LIKE THIS LOOKED INTO FURTHER AS THERE IS A CORRELATION IN 2013-2019 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID 11329167 · filed Jun 16, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FROM TIME TO TIME AS IM DRIVING TO EITHER SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN, MY CAR HAS NO POWER AND THEN WITHIN 2-3 SECONDS IT HITS HARD BACK INTO GEAR. I RESEARCHED IT ON LINE ABOUT OTHER LEXUS AND IT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE COMPUTER AND IT HAS A GLITCHES IN THE SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RESET/CLEARED , THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT HITS SO HARD THAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED AND HURTS YOUR BACK AND NECK . THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY LEXUS AT LEXUS EXPENSE, THANK YOU

NHTSA ID 11637041 · filed Jan 20, 2025

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CRUISE CONTROL SET AND NOT SET, SLIGHT ACCELERATION VEHICLE SEEMS TO COMPLETELY LOOSE GEAR AND CONNECTION WITH DRIVE TRAIN, THE RPMS SPONTANEOUSLY JUMP TO 6500 TO 7000, MOVE THE SHIFTER AT THIS POINT TO NEUTRAL. RMPS DROP TO 1200 AND THEN PLACE THE SHIFTER TO DRIVE AND EVERYTHING REENGAGES. THIS CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT. IT HAS HAPPENED UPON ACCELERATING TO REACH HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID 11388581 · filed Jan 17, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I have a stick dashboard and it’s impairing my vision to see out of front windshield. Lexus did have a recall, but it expired. However, I’m still in danger while driving because of glare.

NHTSA ID 11695432 · filed Oct 24, 2025

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN TRYING TO STOP

NHTSA ID 11310338 · filed Feb 20, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

test

NHTSA ID 11616038 · filed Sep 23, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Front suspension does not have adjustable Camber. The wheels have a negative Camber that is outside of Lexus specification. This causes a very large uneven wear inside of tire, which is not noticeable from the exterior of car. Owners will be unaware, when checking the tires, that the inside of tire is worn to a point that can cause the tire to burst. Car was sent to the dealer, and they confirm that the negative camber is present and there is no fix because camber can't be adjusted. There is no warning lights or symptoms prior to failure. Vehicle suspension is not modified with non-Toyota approved equipment.

NHTSA ID 11455341 · filed Mar 5, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Lexus IS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled, the vehicle independently accelerated while the accelerator pedal was not depressed, and all of the doors locked independently and were inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a diagnosis however, the dealer stated that the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to get a diagnosis however, the failure cause was unidentifiable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ID 11736579 · filed May 8, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .