2010 Lexus RX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
76 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 76 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 30.3% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 11.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 20 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
Engine: 20; Unknown Or Other: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Steering: 9; Service Brakes: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Electrical System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 31 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2009: 4; 2010: 12; 2011: 8; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 5; 2020: 10; 2021: 10; 2022: 5; 2023: 5; 2024: 3; 2025: 5; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 10307520 · 2010-02-08 (February 8, 2010)
I LIVE IN ALDIE, VA AND HAVE A NEW LEXUS 2010 RX 450H HYBRID. I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 01/30/2010 AROUND 11AM. WHAT HAPPENED WAS... I WAS DRIVING AROUND 5 TO 10 MILES SPEED AND TURNED THE VEHICLE TO 90 DEGREES SLOWLY TO GO TO THE SCHOOL. BUT THE VEHICLE WENT 45 DEGREES AND HIT A WOODEN STOP SIGN. I WAS REALLY DRIVING SLOW. I APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR SUDDENLY PICKED SOME SPEED AND HIT THE STOP SIGN. ITS UNUSUAL. THERE MAY BE SOME DEFECT IN THE BRAKES/GAS PEDALS OR WITH THE ABS SYSTEM OR THE ELECTRONICS AROUND IT. I CALLED LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10307676 · 2010-02-08 (February 8, 2010)
LEXUS HYBRID SUV 2010 RX450H. CAR WAS IN SNOW SETTING AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE ON A LIGHT SNOW SURFACE, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKES AND I ALSO WAS UNABLE TO STEER. I CONTINUED FORWARD UNTIL I REACHED CLEAR PAVEMENT AND WAS THEN ABLE TO BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TODAY UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE COMING OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BROADSIDE ON A BUSY STREET. *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 13,999 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10302190 · 2010-01-25 (January 25, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX458. WHENEVER THE STEERING BASE WAS ADJUSTED AN ITEM COULD FALL BETWEEN THE STEERING BASE AND IT PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE A PART OF HIS KEY CHAIN WAS CAUGHT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40.
Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367888 · 2010-11-26 (November 26, 2010)
I WAS DRIVING MY NEW LEXUS 450H (2,000 MILES) IN A FRESH LIGHT SNOW (1.5 TO 2 INCHES) IN INCLINE VILLAGE NV AT 25 MILES PER HOUR ON A SLIGHT DECLINE WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN FOR A CURVE A FEW HUNDRED FEET AWAY. IT LOCKED THE WHEELS IMMEDIATELY AND AS A RESULT I HAD NO STEERING CONTROL. GIVEN THAT I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE BEFORE HAVING TO MAKE TURN AHEAD, I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE (I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IN SNOW MY WHOLE LIFE SINCE I WAS RAISED IN CANADA) AND IT HAD NO EFFECT -- THE WHEELS REMAINED …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10313118 · 2010-02-23 (February 23, 2010)
PURCHASED A 2010 LEXUS 450H IN AUGUST OF 2009 AND LESS THAN ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASED MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR FOR TWO HOURS AND RETURNED AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. LEXUS SENT SOMEONE TO JUMP START IT AND WE BROUGHT TO SERVICE AT THE DEALER IN CARLSBAD, CA. THE NEXT DAY. THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND SAID THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER NEVER FOUND A PROBLEM AND THAT ALL APPEARED TO BE PERFECT. THEY DOUBTED THAT THE CAR WAS EVER JUMP STARTED BUT THEN CALLED THE TOWING PEOPLE AND FOUND THAT TO BE TRUE. THEY GAVE ME A READOUT SHOWING THE CAR WAS FINE AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10313118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11434048 · 2021-09-23 (September 23, 2021)
Water leakage problem in the trunk area causing water buildup on and around the spare tire. A rust issue and potential electric short circuit issue.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422337 · 2021-06-25 (June 25, 2021)
The hybrid transmission failed at 146k and the light went on. When we took it to the dealership, they said that there was metal bits. The owner of the vehicle when into the dealership asking the dealership to set tire pressures and inspect floor mats for proper installation, they performed an inspection and inflated the tires. The owner went in and stated that the check hybrid system warning light is on. Oil pump range/performance. NOTE: no road test performed. Possible additional work needed. Transmission oil pump inoperable due to metal in fl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11573290 · 2024-02-22 (February 22, 2024)
The transmission to oil cooler hose erupted!! Oil was sprayed everywhere along highways. Destroying environment This is an environmental safety issue. As well as a vehicle killer. It is a well documented problem with Toyota and lexus vehicles. Just Google it. Many have been recalled. This is a serious design flaw. The government needs to address this. Every mechanic is stunned at how ridiculous it was to use rubber instead of metal. Toyota/ Lexus needs to recall all vehicles snd repair this. And reimburse those who already fixed them…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11573290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10416217 · 2011-07-29 (July 29, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450H. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SUDDENLY THE BRAKES DISENGAGED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE REGENERATIVE AND THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM BEGAN TO SWI…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10416217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11365660 · 2020-10-21 (October 21, 2020)
NOTICED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SLIP INDICATOR ON - NEXT DAY MY CAR LOST COMPLETE POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A CITY ROAD ' VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15-20 MPH. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART IT WOULD ROUGHLY ENGAGE THEN SHUT DOWN AGAIN. CONTACTED A CERTIFIED LOCAL LEXUS MECHANIC HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HIS SHOP. AFTER ASSESSMENT HE DETERMINED THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP "DISINTEGRATED" INTERNALLY. WHEN THEY CHECKED FUEL PRESSURE AT THE RAIL THERE WERE PARTICLES IN THE FUEL ' UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE SPARKS PLUG WERE FOULED AND FUEL INJECTORS CLOGGED…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11365660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11386308 · 2021-01-03 (January 3, 2021)
MY RX450H ' CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM' LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON I95. ONCE THE LIGHT CAME ON I NO LONGER WAS ABLE TO GIVE MY CAR ANY GAS OR ACCELERATE AND SLOWLY MY CAR STARTED DECREASING IT'S SPEED. ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY ALL MY LIGHTS ON MY DASH BOARD CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. AFTER TURNING OFF MY CAR AND LETTING IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND DRIVE TO THE NEXT EXIT. AFTER HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I PICK…
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11386308 at NHTSA ↗