CSR

Lexus · NHTSA safety record

2010 Lexus IS 250

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

40

Complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Lexus IS 250 have filed 40 safety complaints with NHTSA between April 2010 and March 2019. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 26 of them (65%). The typical failure was reported at 38,557 miles, the median across the 14 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V741000 · October 17, 2019

The defect
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, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 928,220 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V005000 · January 9, 2019

The defect
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 Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 1,299,448 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V024000 · January 9, 2018

The defect
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. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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 assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 628,018 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V340000 · May 23, 2016

The defect
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 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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 charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 1,754,517 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

14V647000 · October 15, 2014

The defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 422,509 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY/WIPER

13V030000 · January 30, 2013

The defect
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10, 2009, through October 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 Lexus IS-F vehicles manufactured December 14, 2007, through July 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.
The risk
Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 267,718 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 40.

AIR BAGS 26 65%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 10%
STRUCTURE 2 5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 3%
ENGINE 1 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 3%
INTERIOR LIGHTING 1 3%
POWER TRAIN 1 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 3%
STEERING 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 15.

2010 2017 2019
2010 to 2019

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 injured · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH HER VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT WAS LAUNCHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS. ONE OCCURRED 3 DAYS AFTER THE

NHTSA complaint 10573480, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A CRASH FROM AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE IMPACT DID NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS THAT WOULD WARRANT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE REAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint 10617721. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

1 injured · crash

LEXUS CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAG EXPLOSION DURING ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WHICH REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE STATED THE EXPLOSION OF THE AIR BAG AND FLYING DEBRIS CAUSED MORE INJURIES THAN THE ACCIDENT ITSELF. *JB

NHTSA complaint 10836171. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

crash · 10,300 miles

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY WHILE IT WAS SNOWING. I ACTIVATED MY ECT SNOW BUTTON ON MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO GO UP AND DOWN TWO LARGE SNOW COVERED MOUNTAINS. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY TRAVERSING THE TERRAIN, I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN WHEN I BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY SAFETY FEATURES , TRAC AND ECT ACTIVATED AND RIGHTED THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RIGHTED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSS POWER AND SEEMED AS IF IT STOPPED. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND TURNED BACK ON, HOWEVER, THE BRAKE, ABS, AND SLIP INDICATOR LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ON THE MAIN ROAD AND WENT DOWN TWO HILLS BEFORE APPROACHING A HILL AND BEGAN TO CLIMB THE HILL, AT WHICH

NHTSA complaint 10372552, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT MY AIR BAGS PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL HAS A RECALL

NHTSA complaint 11183675. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA complaint 11105026. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY DASHBOARD IS REALLY STICKY, I BOUGHT ME THE SUN SHADE TO COVER IT FROM THE SUN BUT IT STILL GETS STICKY. SOME OF IT GOT ON THE SUN SHADE.

NHTSA complaint 11100079. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

113,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS 250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT LEXUS OF WESTMINSTER (13590 BEACH BLVD, WESTMINSTER, CA 92683, (714) 702-1849) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DETERIORATING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA complaint 11088916. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS 250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V024000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO REMEDY THE RECALL WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MCGRATH LEXUS OF CHICAGO (1250 W. DIVISION STREET CHICAGO, IL 60642, (855) 659-5629) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint 11084003. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED NOTICE OF ARIBAG INFLATORS RECALL FOR MY LEXUS IS250. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS WILL TAKE TIME TO GET FROM MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint 11052681. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Lexus IS 250

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2015 16 0
2014 35 0
2012 17 4
2011 30 4

Other 2010 Lexus models

Every Lexus on this site — 88 vehicles, 116 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst