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

Air bags lead the NHTSA file with 129 complaints. Structure and unknown or other follow with 13 each.

Does the 2010 Lexus ES have recalls?

Yes. The by-year count lists 5 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Lexus ES?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

Is the 2010 Lexus ES reliable?

Owner reports total 179 complaints, with air bags the largest group. See the year comparison section to put that in context.

2010 Lexus ES Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2010 Lexus ES have?

NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Lexus ES^[1]. The air bags group stands far above the rest with 129 complaints^[2].

179owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[3]

22MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.

Air Bags. 129 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe air bags that did not go off in a crash, a passenger sensor light that kept switching on and off, and worry about a recall repair that waited on parts.
Unknown Or Other. 13 complaints^[5]. These reports did not fit a clear component group.
Structure. 13 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a dashboard that turned sticky and shiny and caused glare on the windshield, plus a mirror that melted. One owner wrote about a shoe catching under a pedal.
Speed Control. 7 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a gas pedal that stuck or a car that kept going when they lifted off. Some of these stories ended in a crash.
Brakes. 6 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a pedal that felt soft or stuck, and a car that was slow to stop.
Electrical System. 6 complaints^[9].
Visibility. 4 complaints^[10].
Visibility/Wiper. 4 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 ES is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V741), October 2019. About 928,220 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V005), January 2019. About 1,299,448 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V024), January 2018. About 628,018 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.^[14]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V340), May 2016. About 1,754,517 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (09V388), October 2009. About 4,445,056 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	19 / 27 / 22	$3,750

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD^[17].

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Lexus ES with electric motor^[18]	272 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
ES 350 4DR SEDAN FWD^[19]	191 in	72 in	57 in	109 in	3,580 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each ES model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	38	1
1996	38	1
1997	47	2
1998	53	1
1999	35	0
2000	62	0
2001	31	0
2002	180	2
2003	139	0
2004	190	2
2005	200	2
2006	79	0
2007	664	4
2008	323	4
2009	173	5
2010	179	5
2011	199	3
2012	120	3
2013	70	1
2014	46	1
2015	27	1
2016	37	1
2017	26	1
2018	15	2
2019	40	4
2020	24	3
2021	35	1
2022	16	1
2023	11	2
2024	9	2
2025	5	1
2026	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the ES show 179 complaints and 5 recalls for 2010^[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 25 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 6 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2007 (664)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 ES?

The record shows 179 complaints for this model year^[1]. Air bags account for the largest share by a wide margin^[2]. Some reports in other groups involve crashes and injuries, so they deserve a look^[7]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Check the recalls section on this page and have a dealer confirm that every open recall on a car you are considering has been done.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Lexus ES?: Air bags lead the NHTSA file with 129 complaints^[2]. Structure and unknown or other follow with 13 each^[6]^[5].
Does the 2010 Lexus ES have recalls?: Yes. The by-year count lists 5 recalls^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How many complaints does the 2010 Lexus ES have?: NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Lexus ES?: See the fuel economy section on this page.
Is the 2010 Lexus ES reliable?: Owner reports total 179 complaints, with air bags the largest group^[1]^[2]. See the year comparison section to put that in context.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Lexus ES

2004 190 complaints, 2 recalls
2005 200 complaints, 2 recalls
2007 664 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 323 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 this page
2011 199 complaints, 3 recalls
2013 70 complaints, 1 recall
2014 46 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Lexus ES

All Lexus models

Similar cars from 2010: midsize cars

2010 Subaru Legacy/Outback 510 complaints, 18 recalls
2010 Toyota Prius 2,829 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Volvo S80 27 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 Acura TL 64 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 Cadillac CTS 68 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 Chevrolet Malibu 1,365 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Lexus ES (12 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
129 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
13 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,500). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,400). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V005, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V024, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V388, filed October 5, 2009: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Lexus ES with electric motor: rated 272 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES 350 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,580 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Lexus ES: problems, recalls and fuel economy