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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2010 Lexus RX350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
7%of 94 total for the year
Median mileage
32,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Lexus RX350, 7% of the 94 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My wife was coming from work in the early morning on april 1, 2019 at highway speed around 70 to 75mph. All of a sudden she could hear big noise coming out of engine, warning lights started coming on the dash and she could mange to stop the car in the emergence lane. She could smell the oil burning from the front. The vehicle was towed to the auto shop and was evaluated next week. They told me that engine have big holes in the front, rear and at the bottom. Transfer case also got a big hole along with the battery. …”

NHTSA complaint #11197035, filed 2019-04, 123,345 miles

“I started the car, backed it up, pulled forward turning to the left to go down a driveway when the car unexpectedly accelerated. I stomped on the brake but the car did not stop. I flew out of the driveway, across the street and hit 3 trees and a rock before the car stopped.”

NHTSA complaint #10389874, filed 2011-03, 32,500 miles

“While driving at 55 MPH steady on highway the car suddenly shifted into neutral and coasted to a stop. There was no abnormal sound associated. While stationary I tried shifting into reverse or low gear with no response. I shut the car off and restarted it, the car would shift into drive and returned to normal operation for a short period and then shifted into neutral again. After multiple start/stops I was able to get the car home and had it towed to the nearest Lexus dealership the next day for evaluation. …”

NHTSA complaint #10897016, filed 2016-08, 89,500 miles

“Part 23565 c-vehicle would not move. C-broken retaining clip holding right front axle to transmission. Also found a missing bolt in bearing carrier. This is a 2010 Lexus rx 350 I purchased in feb. 2010 for $44,000 with 15,000 miles on it from the fremont Lexus dealership in fremont, ca. Very scary! Luckily I was only traveling about 10 miles an hour at the time. The transmission would not move. Was told old part could not be given to me. Lexus of concord, ca fixed it. Fremont Lexus only offered to buy back for $33,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10357639, filed 2010-09, 23,565 miles

“I bought a new Lexus rx 350 in august 2010 and had a collision on the third day driving the car. I was at a parking lot waiting for a parking space. The engine would shut down. When I saw a parking space available, I started the engine by pressing the engine button without pressing the brake pedal (you don't need to press the brake when you use a key to start the engine). I did not know by doing that, I only started the radio and air conditioning but not the engine itself. I then pressed the brake pedal and shifted to the driving gear. …”

NHTSA complaint #10354700, filed 2010-09

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019413%
2018422%
2017613%
2016712%
201525%
2014320%
201347%
2012412%
2011620%
201077%
200988%
200876%
200795%

Other parts of the 2010 Lexus RX350

Vehicle speed control
38 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Lexus RX350

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology