The Lemon Index

All cars · Lexus ES

2010 Lexus ES.

The 2010 Lexus ES is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 21 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 38, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 22 mpg combined. The best Lexus ES year is 2020.

38Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 2.6× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2020 · Worst year 2007

Lexus ES
Photo shows a 2019 Lexus ES. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints21first 3 years
Fuel economy22 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash testnot ratedNHTSA

How serious. Out of 178 owner complaints, owners reported:

12crashes
7injuries
0fires
6tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

speed control33%
visibility19%
body structure14%
brakes14%
equipment & accessories14%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Lexus ES year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 46K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 14K to 75K miles on the car (45 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 5

  • airbags 2019

    These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.

  • airbags 2019

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • airbags 2018

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Show all 5 recalls
  • airbags 2016

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • speed control 2009

    TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Lexus told dealers about

Lexus sent dealers 226 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Adhesive & sealant cross reference Information
  • REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ?

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Fuel cost and engines

About $3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.

In owners' words

2010 Lexus es350. Consumer states unintended acceleration.

2010 Lexus ES owner · NHTSA complaint 10323172
More owner reports

The side right mirror melted. When I ask dealer about problem, he declined to fix it. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

NHTSA complaint 10488638

Quick answers

Is the 2010 Lexus ES reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 38; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Lexus ES year by this measure is 2020.

What are the most common 2010 Lexus ES problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (33%), visibility (19%) and body structure (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2010 Lexus ES have?

5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Lexus ES get?

22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2010 Lexus ES problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 14,600 and 75,500 miles. The middle report was at 46,000 miles, from 45 complaints.

Does the 2010 Lexus ES have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2010 Lexus ES cost in fuel a year?

About $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2010 Lexus ES have?

3.5L 6-cyl.

What Lexus ES year is better than the 2010?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2012 and 2018.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data