VehicleVerdict

2010 Lexus IS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 51 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median IS year — the 2010 model ranks #5 of 28 IS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (31% of the total).

51

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other IS years?

IS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted185 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 17 complaints2003: 18 complaints2004: 12 complaints2005: 13 complaints2006: 185 complaints2007: 171 complaints2008: 143 complaints2009: 55 complaints2010: 51 complaints2011: 22 complaints2012: 26 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 15 complaints2015: 14 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 14 complaints2018: 3 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 7 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 1 complaints
IS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all IS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Lexus IS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1631%
Speed Control612%
Other510%
Transmission510%
Engine48%
Electrical System48%
Fuel System24%
Steering24%
Brakes24%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Tires & Wheels12%
Latches & Locks12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2010 Lexus IS have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V388000Speed ControlOctober 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 2, 2025 · crash

“THE CAR WAS STOPPED ABOUT TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND THEN IT REVVED UP ON IT'S OWN AND THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED BUT THE CAR SPED UP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 6, 2020 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 18, 2025 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 24, 2010 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 19, 2010 · crash

2010 Lexus IS — common questions

Is the 2010 Lexus IS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 51 complaints put the 2010 model at #5 of 28 IS years. It is one of the IS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 IS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (16 complaints), speed control (6 complaints), other (5 complaints).

Does the 2010 Lexus IS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2010 Lexus IS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus IS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the IS years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among IS years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.