Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Lexus ES350 problems

Owners filed 178 complaints about the 2010 Lexus ES350 with NHTSA between Dec 2009 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (128).

Complaints
178
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Power train2
  11. Steering2
  12. Wheels1
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  14. Engine1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20091
201012
20113
20122
20133
20141
20151
201649
201775
201812
20192
20202
20213
20222
20234
20241
20254
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

128 reports6 crashes4 related recalls
“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 crashes1 related recall
“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

Electrical system

6 reports
“I BEGAN TO NOTICE AFTER LONG DRIVES, A SMELL SIMILAR TO A CAR OVERHEATING. ONE NIGHT, WHILE WARMING THE CAR UP, THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON (THE BATTERY SYMBOL). I FIGURED IT WAS PROBABLY MY BATTERY AND DECIDED TO CALL AN UBER. IN THE SHORT TIME THAT I WAITED FOR MY RIDE, THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE NEXT MORNING I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER GASKETS DOWN INTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2021Electrical systemODI 11389132

Visibility/wiper

4 reports
“I have been driving with a shiny sticky dashboard that reflects light directly into my eyes when I'm driving creating a dangerous driving condition. I was just made aware that there was a Lexus Customer Support Program ZLZ to replace this defective dashboard but I never received a recall notice. I have asked Lexus corporate and the dealership to help me resolve this dangerous defect but they said the program has expired and is no longer willing to help. I am a senior citizen and cannot afford to pay for this out of pocket or buy a new car. This defect is a widely known issue and Lexus has acknowledged that this is causing a dangerous condition while driving. I cannot understand why they would not resolve this matter regardless the program expired or not especially if owners did not received the notice. Please help. Lexus is unwilling to resolve this matter even though they know this defect is causing dangerous driving conditions which may lead to accidents.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2024Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11596383

Visibility

4 reports
“THE SIDE RIGHT MIRROR MELTED. WHEN I ASK DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM, HE DECLINED TO FIX IT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2012Visibility, StructureODI 10488638
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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