YearToAvoid

2010 Lexus ES Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

53/100

#8 most-complained of 16 ES years

The 2010 Lexus ES has a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th out of 16 model years, rated Caution. Airbags account for 20 of 41 complaints (49% share), including reports of non-deployment in crashes, with a median failure mileage of 70,000.

Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2010 Lexus ES problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate-to-severe collisions, including a side impact at 55 mph and a near head-on hit at 45 mph.
  • Some drivers describe intermittent passenger airbag sensor warnings that toggle on and off depending on the passenger's weight, even after dealer recalibration.
  • Owners mention the Takata airbag recall causing long waits for replacement parts, with limited rental car coverage offered during repairs.
  • Steering complaints describe a wobbling or hard-to-control feel over minor pavement unevenness, noticed since purchase.
  • Structure and body complaints include seat material and thread deteriorating until the seat falls apart, and a sticky dashboard linked to an unaddressed recall.
  • Visibility complaints describe side mirrors popping off and swiveling loosely while driving, requiring tape to hold them in place.
2010 Lexus ES complaints: complaints filed per month4Aug 2013Sep 2016Mar 2017Dec 2017Sep 2018Jun 2021Mar 2023May 2025
47 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2013 to Jul 2026; peak Aug 2025 (4).

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)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution53410—
2011Avoid87460—
2012Avoid93310—

All Lexus ES years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Lexus ES reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2010 ES a Complaint Index of 53, placing it 8th out of 16 model years and earning a Caution rating relative to other ES years. Airbags are the top reported problem area, making up 49% of complaints.
Does the 2010 Lexus ES have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls specifically logged for the 2010 ES in this dataset, though owner complaints reference the broader Takata airbag recall affecting the model.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Lexus ES?
Airbags are the top problem area, with 20 of 41 complaints (49% share) and a median failure mileage of 70,000. Two of those complaints involved crashes.
How does the 2010 Lexus ES compare to other ES years?
With a Complaint Index of 53, the 2010 ES ranks better than 2011 (87), 2012 (93), and 2019 (100), all rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2016 and 2022, which are rated Best.

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.