2010 Lexus IS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Lexus IS has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst among 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners logged 40 complaints, most tied to airbags (40%) and engine issues (23%), with one recall for sticking accelerator pedals.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 IS years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 40
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2010 Lexus IS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags16 (40%)
- Engine9 (23%)
- Other5 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (13%)
- Brakes3 (8%)
- Electrical System3 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (8%)
- Fuel System2 (5%)
- Steering2 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners describe unintended acceleration or sudden forward lurching while shifting into park or easing into a parking spot, sometimes ending in a collision.
- Several reports describe the engine revving on its own while the vehicle was stationary, forcing drivers to press harder on the brake to avoid hitting objects ahead.
- One owner described losing engine power on the highway, with the engine running as if several cylinders had stopped working.
- Multiple owners reported airbags that did not deploy in a crash or a lit airbag warning light later linked to the Takata inflator recall.
- One report described the vehicle failing to slow when brakes were applied, resulting in a crash after jumping a curb.
2010 Lexus IS recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 09V388000Oct 5, 2009Engine4,445,056 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
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.
Risk: 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.
2010 Lexus IS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other IS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Lexus IS reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2010 IS a complaint index of 80, the 5th worst of 21 model years for this model, resulting in an Avoid verdict compared to other IS years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Lexus IS?
- Airbags account for 40% of complaints and engine issues for 23%, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 13%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2010 Lexus IS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2010 IS, campaign 09V388000, covering an accelerator pedal that could get trapped by an unsecured or incompatible floor mat.
- How does the 2010 IS compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 80, the 2010 IS ranks better than 2006 through 2009 but worse than 2011 and later years, most of which carry Caution or Good verdicts.
- What mileage do 2010 IS problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 67,000 for this model year overall, though airbag-related complaints show a higher median mileage of 133,662.