Skip to content
Lexus ES350Model year report

2010 Lexus ES350 Problems

Compared with other Lexus ES350 years

More complaints than typical for this model

72/100 1.7× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011, 2012

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
137filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
24,556miles, 30 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 19 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Lexus ES350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

For the 2010 Lexus ES 350, most sampled complaints center on the Takata front passenger airbag inflator recall: owners describe waiting months for parts while being told not to carry a passenger in that seat. A smaller but consistent group describes unexpected acceleration or a pedal or floor mat interfering with stopping, and several describe a melting, sticky dashboard that creates glare. Reported mileages range widely, from a few hundred miles to over 100,000.

  1. Air bags

    Passenger airbag inflator recall parts slow to arrive

    • 89 complaints (65%)
    • median 56,500 mi at 6.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2016–2019

    Owners describe receiving a Takata airbag inflator recall notice for the front passenger side and then being unable to get the repair done because the part was unavailable at the dealer. Many say they were given no firm date, or were told a date that slipped, and some mention an interim letter advising them not to use the front passenger seat. Several state the vehicle had not shown any failure yet. Mostly reported in 2016-2017, from near-new vehicles up to about 104,000 miles.

    Recall 16V340000Recall 19V741000Recall 19V005000Recall 18V0240002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the front passenger inflator recall has been completed and get the invoice showing the remedy was performed; check the VIN with a dealer to confirm which campaigns apply.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall, in june 2016 I received in the us mail a notice of recall for the front passenger airbag. The notice advised me to not drive the vehicle with a passenger in the front passenger seat. It is 5 months later and Lexus still has no solution or available remedy for this situation. In the meantime the resale price of the car has fallen due to this situation. I want the airbag replaced by Lexus soon.”

    NHTSA complaint #10924487, filed 2016-11, 35,000 miles

    “Tamara recall-issued for my vehicle in may of 2016. Next month will be a year and Lexus still hasn't done anything. I was originally told twice they were waiting on parts. When they called for my service appointment I asked if the parts were finally received. I was then told they're still deciding what to do. That shouldn't take one year!”

    NHTSA complaint #10971422, filed 2017-04
  2. Vehicle speed control

    Unexpected acceleration or pedal not releasing

    • 11 complaints (8%)
    • median 15,400 mi at 0.9 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2009–2016

    Complaints describe the car continuing to gain speed or failing to slow when the accelerator is released, and in some accounts the pedal felt stuck or the vehicle surged while braking or maneuvering. Owners describe crashes into banks, curbs and other vehicles; some report that dealers could not reproduce or identify a cause, and one report says a speed control recall had not been performed. Mostly under 20,000 miles, including several within the first few thousand miles.

    Recall 09V3880002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Confirm the floor mat is the correct type and clipped down, and ask whether the accelerator pedal recall work was done; have the throttle and pedal response checked during a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was backing car out of driveway when all of a sudden car accelerated hitting curb, ran up an embankment and crashed into neighbors front steps. This is the first time it ever did that. It appears that throttle must have stuck close to maximum acceleration as car climbed up a 10-12 foot embankment and hit neighbors brick front steps with such force it picked rear wheels right off the ground.”

    NHTSA complaint #10903440, filed 2016-09, 73,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2010 Lexus ES350 with 15,600 miles. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and releasing his foot off of the accelerator pedal the vehicle would not decrease in speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they could not determine the cause of failure. Updated 01/31/11 the consumer also stated the navigation system was inoperative. Updated 02/03/11 upated 02/14/11”

    NHTSA complaint #10361775, filed 2010-10, 15,600 miles
  3. Body and structure

    Melting, sticky dashboard with windshield glare

    • 6 complaints (4%)
    • median 53,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2016–2023

    Owners describe the dashboard becoming shiny, sticky or melted, and sunlight reflecting off it into a mirror-like glare that interferes with forward vision. Some say a dealer agreed the dashboard needed replacement, while others report the dealer or manufacturer said no recall or repair applied and the vehicle was not fixed. Reported from about 31,000 to 91,000 miles, in warm, sunny conditions.

    What to check: Inspect the dashboard top in daylight for shine, stickiness or cracks, and look through the windshield from the driver's seat on a sunny day to judge glare.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The contact owns a 2010 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the dashboard had melted. As a result, when sunlight struck it caused a glare and obstructed the contact's view. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the vehicle was unable to diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #10837551, filed 2016-02, 36,000 miles

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11503596, filed 2023-01, 91,000 miles
  4. Brakes

    Brake pedal feels stuck or slow to respond

    • 7 complaints (5%)
    • median 5,041 mi at 1.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2017

    Some owners describe the brake pedal going hard or sticking toward the floor, including one account where the car would not start normally with the brake pressed. Others describe a delay or no response when braking hard, and in some reports the dealer could not find a cause or the vehicle was not repaired. Reported between roughly 750 and 22,000 miles, often in the first year of use.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Press the brake pedal with the engine off and on to feel for a hard or sticking pedal, and ask whether the brake system has been inspected recently.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “1. As I approached a red light, I wanted to move my foot from the gas pedal to the brake. The top of my sneaker got caught in the underside of the brake preventing me from being able to stop the car. I was able to free my foot by pulling it sideways and back to the gas pedal causing me to momentarily hit the gas pedal and moving the car forward toward the intersection. Since I had begun to slow down for the traffic light and there was no car in front of me, no accident took place. 2. Jan 31-a few days later the same thing happened. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10351298, filed 2010-08, 750 miles

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11003686, filed 2017-07, 100,000 miles
  5. Electrical system

    Intermittent no-start and charging warning

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe the car failing to start on the push-button cycle even with the brake depressed, sometimes with a hard brake pedal and a charging system warning, and occasionally requiring a jump start. Owners report repeated dealer visits where no fault was found, and one says the failure reproduced at the dealership during diagnostics. Reported between about 600 and 70,000 miles, sometimes within the first months of ownership.

    What to check: Try several cold and warm starts during a test drive and ask for any battery, charging or start-button service records.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Vehicle failed to start when proper procedure was followed, that is depressing the brake and then when green light illuminates on starter button on dashboard, pressing that button. This has happened over fifty times. Vehicle has been inspected at local Lexus dealership over the course of at least five separate days. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11144974, filed 2018-11, 69,800 miles

    “The car intermittently does not start. Occurred four times in less than five months. Car bought new from dealer late 4/2010. After driving car around to run errands, car does not start. Brake is hard, and charging system warning sign appears. Sos safety feature often does not operate during these instances. First occurred 6/28/2010. Roadside called-required battery jump. Dealer evaluated car- claimed no issues with car or battery. Second occurrence: 7/6/10. Roadside called. Dealer evaluated car for two weeks. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10357270, filed 2010-09, 600 miles

Buying note. Check recall status by VIN first, since most complaints here concern the passenger inflator remedy and its parts availability. Also drive the car at low speed and on a warm day to check pedal feel, throttle response and dashboard glare before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 137 consumer complaints for the 2010 Lexus ES350. 30 of the complaints include a mileage, and 73% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 24,556 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 206 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 5 Lexus ES350 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 72 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Location: 605 north, before del amo blvd. Exit. At 5 pm on september 22, 2011 I was in the extreme left lane of the freeway, next to the carpool lane. A light gray truck (with flatbed) swerved right in front of me at a very high speed. There were just a couple feet of distance between the truck and my car. I slammed my brakes to avoid rear-ending the truck. A car behind me hit my car from rear right forcing me into the car pool lane. …”

NHTSA complaint #10430560, filed 2011-10, 13,900 miles

Other or unknown: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11128702, filed 2018-09, 39,000 miles

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2010 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the dashboard was melted and sticky. The contact also stated that the sun produced a glare on the dashboard, which made driving very difficult. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer. The technician took pictures and informed the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and also stated that there was no recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11123089, filed 2018-08, 70,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “The contact owns a 2010 Lexus ES350. While exiting the highway the accelerator stuck and she collided into a snow bank. The contact received injuries to the face, mouth and body. The insurance company totalled the vehicle. The failure and the current mileage was 17,053.”

NHTSA complaint #10317134, filed 2010-03, 17,053 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

73% of the 30 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,041 and 69,800 miles.

33%0–1017%10–2523%25–5013%50–757%75–1007%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (30 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 24,556 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20092011201320166420182023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Lexus ES350. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
ES350 · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 5———

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2010 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Lexus ES350 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
ES 350 FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192722$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Lexus ES350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 206 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 206 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus ES350

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202154,0080526—Not enough data
20205—1526—Not enough data
2019512,8002526—Not enough data
201859,5002524—Not enough data
2017229,1001524—Falling
20162118,0001524—Falling
20151623,0001524—Falling
20142830,00015240 · FewerFalling
20132326,0001524—Falling
20128945,58233222 · FewerFalling
201115350,0003—220 · FewerFalling
201013724,5565—2272 · MoreRising
200914519,8505—2299 · MoreStable
200825529,0004—2293 · MoreFalling
200753932,7834—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus ES350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Lexus ES350?

For the 2010 Lexus ES 350, most sampled complaints center on the Takata front passenger airbag inflator recall: owners describe waiting months for parts while being told not to carry a passenger in that seat. The issues reported most often: Passenger airbag inflator recall parts slow to arrive; Unexpected acceleration or pedal not releasing; Melting, sticky dashboard with windshield glare.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Lexus ES350 have?

NHTSA recorded 137 consumer complaints for the 2010 Lexus ES350 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Lexus ES350 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 108 complaints (79% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 7.

Has the 2010 Lexus ES350 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Lexus ES350 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Lexus ES350 (ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Lexus ES350 reported?

Among the 30 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 24,556 miles and the middle half falls between 5,041 and 69,800 miles; 73% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.