2010 Lexus IS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 40 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Air Bags: 16; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 4; Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2010: 4; 2012: 1; 2016: 7; 2017: 5; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 5; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 6; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10310645 · 2010-02-15 (February 15, 2010)
CURRENTLY HAVE A 2010 LEXUS IS250 AWD (BOUGHT ON 2/9/2010) AND NOTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE RPMS INCREASE RANDOMLY AFTER THE CAR HAS STOPPED AND IS STATIONARY. THE CAR INCHES FORWARD AND THE DRIVER HAS TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE SURE THE CAR DOESN'T LURCH FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. THE RPMS GO UP ALMOST 1000 RPMS FROM IDLING. HAPPENS IN D AND R. WHEN TURNING ON CAR PUTTING THE GEAR R THE CAR JUST LURCHES BACKWARDS UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HEAVILY DEPRESSED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SOFTWARE / ECM ISSUE AS …
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10310645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10314521 · 2010-02-26 (February 26, 2010)
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 FOOT OFF THE GAS AND APPLIED THE BRAKE TO NO EFFECT, WHEN THE DRIVER MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO BACK OFF THE COLUMN IN REVERSE AND PARK THE VEHICLE. HAVE TURNED THE CAR OVER TO LEXUS AND A F…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10314521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11329167 · 2020-06-16 (June 16, 2020)
THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL OF THE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE ON MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2010. I AM CURRENTLY IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THE FUEL PUMP ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS IT IS LEAKING AS WELL. THEY ARE TELLING ME IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL AND IS ALMOST $2,4000. PER CONSUMER REPORT: TOYOTA AND LEXUS ARE RECALLING ABOUT 1.8 MILLION VEHICLES FROM THE 2013 THROUGH 2019 MODEL YEARS BECAUSE THEIR FUEL PUMP COULD STOP WORKING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN STALL OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH, ESPECI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11329167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483484 · 2022-09-08 (September 8, 2022)
While driving home in the freeway, I felt my car shake then a sudden loss of power. Then my CEL started blinking and my VSC lit. Got a code for engine misfire(P0302). Is250 has a lot of cases on engine misfires because of excessive carbon build up because of how the engine is designed. My car only has 108,000miles. Lexus released a Customer Support Program for this problem but it already expired. They only gave 9 years from date of purchase for it to be eligible for the free fix. It means they are aware of the problem but my 2010 car just misse…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11705266 · 2025-12-16 (December 16, 2025)
Developed a fuel leak at the tank that has previously been exactly described as a recall on the exact year make and model of this vehicle however, when entering my VIN it does not show my VIN number as being affected. I feel there has been a mistake on the Vin number range. However, Lexus refuses to handle the issue under the recall since the VIN number does not trigger as such.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11705266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11680755 · 2025-08-14 (August 14, 2025)
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 was sufficient to rev the engine by itself and override the braking system enough that the vehicle advanced forward in an out-of-control manner. It was unintended, unexpected and beyond my ability to control. Failing to recognize the braking syst…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11680755 at NHTSA ↗