Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Lexus ES owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Incident on 10/13/2020 On Tuesday October 13th. 2020 I was driving my 2010 Lexus ES 350 in Diamond Bar, CA 91765. I got hit on my side by a speedy car (ran red light) He was driving at speed of 55 mph. I got multiple fractures (No air bags were deployed) and later on hospital admission due to life serious complications. Now I'm dealing with continuous pain, inability to back to normal life style and a must have joint replacement due to joint damage (bone and cartilage). I have police report/total loss report have details about car damage and countless medical care and hospital admission for the implication of the accident. I'm uploading some photos for my white Lexus to the extent lt. axle broke and even for the other car in the crash seen (dark gray Audi) to show his speed.
No lamps on at all. Car was in a major accident and no airbags went off. Was hit almost head on by a ram pickup at approximately 45 miles an hour and then the truck went down the drivers side of the car Car was stopped at a red light at the time of the incident
Apparently, Lexus mailed a recall notice to my home address sometime in June (the letter does not have a date that it was issued) about the Takata passenger airbag problem. However, I did not know about the recall notice until after I made a long trip with my sister from atlanta, ga to melbourne, fl in mid June 2016. Fortunately my sister and I were not in an accident during that trip, but if I had known about the recall beforehand, I would not have used the car for the trip. Lexus needs to do a better job of notifying their customers of serious problems that could result in major injury or death. I am angry that my husband and I cannot make full use of this car and that Lexus is not fixing this problem...they told us to wait another 6 months. Why should I have to continue making car payments on a vehicle that is defective and dangerous. …
Takata recall, I don't understand why it has taken so long to address this issue. I was notified almost one year ago, I had to take a long trip with my family this past November 2016, and Lexus did provide a rental, however, the recall has made my family have to plan not to use the front sit and limits the vehicle's useful purpose. What disturbs me more, there has not been any further information regarding a scheduled remedy. How do you plan your vehicle's use? A projected scheduled remedy is in order, older vehicles affected should have priority, if schedules are announced it would be difficult for dealers to pick and choose what vehicle owners get serviced and in what order.
Takata airbag recall. Notified in July 2016 of the issue of the Takata airbag recall and was instructed by local Lexus dealer (motor city Lexus, bakersfield, ca) to refrain from allowing passengers to ride in front passenger seat. Extreme hardship because my wife recently had surgeries and getting in and out of rear seat is difficult and uncomfortable. Monthly contact with Lexus dealer regarding repair have been met with arrogant disregard for repair request. [redacted]
Takata recall - took vehicle in for Takata recall with no issues with vehicle. Picked it up after "repair" only to find airbag light on. Made appointment to bring vehicle back in and now being told that there is a passenger occupancy sensor that has gone bad. They claim this issue does not have anything to do with the recall!! After researching online, I find complaint after complaint concerning this very issue. This sensor should be included in a recall as there is obviously a defect with the sensor with so many complaints about it. And it is a high dollar fix.
Takata recall. My father was told about an inflator recall on his passenger side airbag last year (May 2016). He was told to continue driving the car but it was recommended that no one ride in the passenger seat. My father is 90 years old and still carries a valid driver's license. My mother is 84. Putting her in the backseat of the car for a few months would be inconvenient but doable. Putting her in the backseat for over a year is unacceptable (not to mention she refuses to be chauffeured around the city by my father). I work for American Honda motor co. And it is our policy to get people out of their cars until such time as they can be fixed. I am concerned that Lexus does not have this same policy. If that airbag deploys during a collision, I have no doubt it will kill my mother. …
"Takata recall". I called my local Lexus dealership to see if I could get a rental car until they were able to fix my car. What they offered was ridiculous. They would approve $30.00 a day for rental car with a $1,000.00 limit. The parts will not be available until 2017. That would mean that I would be responsible for over five month for a rental car. My Honda truck is on the same recall and they offered me free rental which I am driving. I tried to call Lexus at [phone] but they drop the line after holding for over15 minutes twice. I am retired and we have 3 grandchildren so my car will not be safe to drive when they visit. Plus, my wife and I will not be able to ride together unless she sits in the back seat. The offer by Lexus is not acceptable especially since Honda has offered a more reasonable option. Thank you
After 2.5 years of satisfactory operation, the front passenger airbag sensor light began to intermittently change between "on" and "off" with my 100 lb. Wife as the front seat passenger (same wife, same weight within +/- 3 lbs,), Lexus dealer tried 2 recalibrating with no success. Lexus customer support says sensors are designed to detect adults weighing 84 lbs or more. "[redacted]" said it really didn't matter because of protection from the seat belt, other air bags (side) and "sturdy construction".
Takata recall. Lexus states that "do not operate vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat". Have done this since May 2016. This is an unreasonable request for a family of 5. To date, Lexus has exceeded the time frame to replace the air bags and no replacement in sight. Have called Lexus..still no timeline for remedy. My son's Honda pilot airbag has been replaced. Is Lexus waiting for an accident to happen? We need you to push Lexus to remedy this problem.
Airbag complaints in other ES years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Lexus ES?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Lexus ES, 49% of the model year's 41 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Lexus ES airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2010 Lexus ES. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Lexus ES airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.