2010 Lexus IS: common problems and reliability

The 2010 Lexus IS has 259 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and vehicle speed control. Owners most often flag carbon buildup on intake valves (is 250 with 4gr-fse engine): causes loss of power, rough idle, poor fuel economy, requires periodic cleaning. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2010 model year

259
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
41
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2010 Lexus IS vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2010 a good year for the IS?

Across the 13 IS model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (1999) to 426 (2006). With 259 complaints, the 2010 IS sits abovethe model's median of 32.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags
149
vehicle speed control
26
power train
19
engine
19
fuel/propulsion system
12

Recalls affecting the 2010 IS

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 19V005000

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

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 18V024000

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, i

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Campaign 14V647000

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 Septe

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 16V340000

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-

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment heavily dependent on generation and powertrain. The IS is widely recognized for its strong long-term reliability, comfortable ride, and luxury feel, particularly when compared to German competitors.

  • Carbon buildup on intake valves (IS 250 with 4GR-FSE engine): causes loss of power, rough idle, poor fuel economy, requires periodic cleaning. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Water pump and front cover oil leaks (2GR-FSE V6 engine): common failure requiring expensive repair (engine removal for front cover, ~20-25 hours labor). Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the IS. See the full IS owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used IS listings typically run $48,233–$55,018 across 2025 to 2026 model years.

Other IS model years

Compare every IS year side by side to see how 2010 ranks against the rest.

Compare the IS against its rivals