YearToAvoid

2010 Lexus IS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 16 IS years

The 2010 Lexus IS has a complaint index of 100, the highest among the 16 model years tracked, and ranks worst overall. Owners reported 40 complaints, mostly involving airbags (40% share), engine (23%), and transmission (13%), with 7 crashes and 3 injuries but no recalls filed specifically against this year.

Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
7 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20.5
18 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2010 Lexus IS problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags16 (40%)
  2. Engine9 (23%)
  3. Other5 (13%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain5 (13%)
  5. Brakes3 (8%)
  6. Electrical System3 (8%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (8%)
  8. Fuel System2 (5%)
  9. Steering2 (5%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while shifting into park or completing a low-speed turn, leading to the car jumping curbs or striking objects.
  • Some report the engine revving on its own after coming to a stop, forcing hard braking to avoid lurching into the vehicle ahead.
  • Others describe the RPMs climbing roughly 1,000 above idle unexpectedly while stationary in drive.
  • Engine complaints include sudden loss of power at highway speed, with the motor running as if several cylinders had stopped firing.
  • Airbag complaints center on Takata inflator concerns, including warning lights left on and confusion over recall parts availability.
  • One owner reported airbags failing to deploy in a head-on collision despite the vehicle having been serviced for a prior airbag recall.
2010 Lexus IS complaints: complaints filed per month4Feb 2010May 2016Dec 2016Jun 2017Feb 2020Mar 2022Aug 2025Aug 2026
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2025 (4).

2010 Lexus IS recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

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

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
2010Avoid10040020.5
2011Caution6715022
2012Avoid9318022

All Lexus IS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Lexus IS reliable?
Among 16 model years of the Lexus IS tracked, 2010 has the highest complaint index at 100 and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other IS years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Lexus IS?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 40% of complaints (16 of 40), with a median failure mileage of 133,662.5 miles. Engine issues follow at 23% of complaints.
Does the 2010 Lexus IS have any recalls?
NHTSA data for this specific model year shows 0 recalls on record, though owner complaints reference a Takata airbag recall affecting the vehicle.
How does the 2010 Lexus IS compare to other years?
The 2010 model's complaint index of 100 is higher than every other year listed, including 2012 (93) and 2013 (80), both also rated Avoid, while 2015 and 2020 rate Good with indexes of 47 and 40.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Lexus IS?
EPA rates the 2010 Lexus IS at 20.5 mpg combined (18 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900.

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.