YearToAvoid

2010 Lexus ES Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2010 Lexus ES logs 41 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 50, and no recalls, earning a Caution verdict, ranked 11th worst of 21 model years. Airbags dominate complaints at 49% of the total, including cases where airbags failed to deploy in crashes.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#11 of 21 ES years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
41
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
0
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best

Top 2010 Lexus ES problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags20 (49%)
  2. Structure & Body7 (17%)
  3. Other6 (15%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers4 (10%)
  5. Brakes2 (5%)
  6. Electrical System2 (5%)
  7. Steering2 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during frontal and side-impact crashes, leading to injuries.
  • The passenger airbag sensor light intermittently switched on and off, and dealer recalibration attempts did not fix it.
  • Owners describe a Takata airbag recall repair delayed until 2017 with limited rental car reimbursement offered.
  • The steering feels wobbly and difficult to control over minor uneven pavement, similar to reported suspension issues on other Toyota-built models.
  • Side mirrors have spontaneously popped off and swiveled loosely while driving.
  • The dashboard surface became sticky, which owners say was linked to an unaddressed recall condition.
2010 Lexus ES complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2013Sep 2016Mar 2017Dec 2017Sep 2018Jun 2021Mar 2023May 2025
41 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2013 to Jul 2026; peak Oct 2016 (3).

2010 Lexus ES recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2010 compared with other ES years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Avoid90680—
2009Caution55280—
2010Caution50410—
2011Avoid75460—
2012Avoid80310—

All Lexus ES years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Lexus ES reliable?
It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 50 and 41 complaints, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years for the ES.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Lexus ES?
Airbags are the top complaint area, making up 49% of all complaints, including reports of non-deployment during crashes.
Does the 2010 Lexus ES have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2010 Lexus ES, though owners mention a Takata airbag recall and a dashboard-related recall in complaint narratives.
How does the 2010 ES compare to other Lexus ES years?
With a complaint index of 50, the 2010 ES ranks better than the 2007 (100), 2008 (90), and 2005 (85) model years, which are all rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2018 and 2022, which are rated Best.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2010 ES?
The median mileage at failure across all reported problem areas for the 2010 ES is 70,000 miles for airbags specifically.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.