Most common 2010 Lexus ES350 problems
Share of the 137 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus ES350 complaints by model year
Best ES350 years: 2018, 2014, 2015. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2009, 2010. Compare all years →
2010 Lexus ES350 recalls (5)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and…
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of…
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2010 Lexus ES350:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2010 Lexus ES350 owners say
Air bags all 108 →
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V340000 (air bags). While driving 50 MPH, the contact had to abruptly depress the brake pedal, but it failed to respond. As a result, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. Prior to the crash, the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to sterling mccall Lexus (10025 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77074, [phone]) where it was confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Lexus ES350. While driving 30 MPH, the contact fell asleep and crashed the vehicle into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to schultz Ford w haverstraw, inc. Located at n route 9w us-9w, west haverstraw, ny 10993; [phone] where it was deemed destroyed. There were no injuries, but the contact was taken to the hospital. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Speed control & acceleration
Tl* the contact rented a Lexus 2010 ES350. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated as the brake pedal was depressed, causing her to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to the back, knee, ankles, legs and spine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection by an engineer. The failure was located at the main computer brain. The vehicle was also included in the speed control recall however, the dealer did not perform the recall repair. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was not filed. The failure and current mileage was 5,041.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Lexus ES350. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when the GPS navigation system displayed inaccurate information which directed him to the wrong location. The consumer was involved in a crash due to the incorrect driving directions. The manufacturer was notified and refused to accept financial responsibility for repairing the GPS navigation system. The failure mileage was 15,400. Updated 01/31/11 the consumer also stated the vehicle would not slow down. Updated 02/03/11 updated 07-06/11 updated 2/29/12
Body & structure
The contact owns a 2010 Lexus ES350.The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the sun was reflecting on the dashboard. There was a mirror-like image obstructing the driver's vision. The contact stated that there was a shiny substance on the dashboard. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Happened in a residential neighborhood. In motion to make a turn around from the main street into a side street. I wanted to head back the direction from where I had just been. I was moving very slowly because of the small turning radius.I was just turning into the very opening of the side street. Upon curving into the "u" of my turn the car fiercely propelled forward. It felt like it was attempting a "0 to 60" launch. I looked at my foot in disbelief that I May have been on the gas pedal .no... My foot was on the brake. My car crashed into a large rock/boulder residential landscape that stopped it. I shut my engine off. Passenger side rear wheel was off the ground. Front right was elevated on top of rocks. I was fine. Very shaken and in disbelief of the rapid launch and situation. Rapid car had to be towed. Exterior damage. Underside damage as well.
2010 Lexus ES350 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Lexus ES350 a good car?
Based on 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 ES350 rates avoid: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the ES350 at the same age. It is one of the ES350 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Lexus ES350?
The air bags — 108 complaints, 79% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the speed control & acceleration (7) and body & structure (7).
How many recalls does the 2010 Lexus ES350 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2010 Lexus ES350, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus ES350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2014 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2009 and 2010. See the full Lexus ES350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Lexus ES350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 27,000 miles; 73% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.