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Research · Midsize Cars

2010 Lexus ES350Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 178 owner complaints for the 2010 Lexus ES350. Most complaints involve air bags (128) and structure (13). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
178
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V005000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V024000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

178 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – Jul 2026
  1. Air bags128
  2. Structure13
  3. Vehicle speed control7
  4. Electrical system6
  5. Visibility/wiper4
  6. Visibility4
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  9. Equipment3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each ES350 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007664
2008323
2009173
2010178
2011197
2012116
201350
201428
201516
201621
201722
20185
20200
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

128 reports6 crashes
“No lamps on at all. Car was in a major accident and no airbags went off. Was hit almost head on by a ram pickup at approximately 45 miles an hour and then the truck went down the drivers side of the car Car was stopped at a red light at the time of the incident”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11561605

Structure

13 reports1 crash
“Dear NHTSA Vehicle Safety Team, I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2010 Lexus ES350 (VIN: [XXX] ) concerning a dashboard melting issue. Several years ago, Lexus issued a recall for melting dashboards, including my vehicle. At that time, I did not request a replacement. However, after the recall period ended, my dashboard began to melt. The material becomes sticky, shiny, and unsafe under sunlight. During daytime driving, the melted dashboard reflects sunlight onto the windshield, making it difficult and dangerous to see the road clearly. I have contacted my local Lexus dealer and Lexus corporate headquarters, but both refused assistance, citing the expired recall period. Despite this, the defect continues to exist and presents a serious safety concern. I request that NHTSA record this issue as a safety defect and consider it for further investigation. Attached are photos of my dashboard for reference. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2025StructureODI 11681051

Vehicle speed control

7 reports3 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A LEXUS 2010 ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, KNEE, ANKLES, LEGS AND SPINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BY AN ENGINEER. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE MAIN COMPUTER BRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,041.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2013Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10508806
All 2010 ES350 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ES 350
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$3,500404
  • ES 350
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Lexus ES350 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 5798
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 ES350 questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Lexus ES350 have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Lexus ES350 problems?

Owners filed 178 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (128), structure (13), vehicle speed control (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Lexus ES350 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Lexus ES350 at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026