2010 Lexus IS Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
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.
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED, PRODUCING A SIGNIFICANT GLARE THAT IMPAIRS MY VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUN HITS IT. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN TRYING TO STOP
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
test
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .