Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Lexus HS250H Hybrid problems

Owners filed 146 complaints about the 2010 Lexus HS250H Hybrid with NHTSA between Jan 2010 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (40).

Complaints
146
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes40
  2. Suspension36
  3. Electrical system20
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)9
  6. Vehicle speed control9
  7. Engine6
  8. Service brakes, electric6
  9. Air bags5
  10. Power train5
  11. Fuel/propulsion system4
  12. Exterior lighting4
  13. Hybrid propulsion system2
  14. Steering2

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 Nov 9, 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
201029
20111
20124
20132
20148
20155
20168
201724
201814
20199
20206
20218
20229
20238
20241
20257
20263

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

Service brakes

40 reports2 crashes
“Complete loss of hydraulic brake pressure resulting in brake pedal traveling to the floor. Defect: Brake Actuator and Pump Assembly failure Risk: The vehicle has been deemed unsafe to drive by a certified Lexus technician and I was asked to sign a liability waiver to remove vehicle from dealership. Description: While driving my 2010 Lexus HS250h (90,729 miles) I experienced sudden and catastrophic failure of the braking system where the brake pedal traveled completely to the floor, significantly increasing stopping distance. A diagnostic at Lexus dealership confirmed a failed ABS brake actuator and pump assembly. The dealership stated the car is life-threatening unsafe to drive and required a signed liability waiver before I could tow it away. Despite this being a known defect previously addressed in Lexus support program 23LE04, the manufacturer has declined a goodwill repair for this safety critical component.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2026Service brakesODI 11735569

Suspension

36 reports
“The rear suspension lateral links (Rear Control Arm No. 1) have failed to remain adjustable because they were permanently encapsulated in epoxy by the dealer during the official Lexus Safety Recall for rear suspension arm corrosion. This component is currently installed on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. This "locked" state has caused a severe misalignment resulting in premature tire failure, with the current set of tires showing significant inner tread wear and reaching the end of their life far sooner than their expected mileage rating. This creates an immediate hazard of a sudden highway blowout, compromised braking stability, and emergency handling instability that endangers both the occupants and other drivers. Furthermore, the constant lateral drag puts undue stress on other suspension components and reduces fuel efficiency. This problem was first confirmed by an independent service center (Brakes Plus) and subsequently verified by a Lexus dealership technician on January 24, 2026, who acknowledged the parts are non-adjustable due to the manufacturer's recall remedy but refused to replace them under the program. The manufacturer's…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2026SuspensionODI 11713019

Electrical system

20 reports5 crashes
“The contact owns a 2010 Lexus HS-250H. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the Hybrid failure message was displayed. A dealer contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 119,700.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2026Electrical system, Hybrid propulsion systemODI 11755256

Service brakes, hydraulic

16 reports2 crashes
“ON JANUARY 27 2012 MY LEXUS TOOK OFF BY ITSELF BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR REPORTED TO LEXUS DEALER THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG ON APRIL 10 2012 WHILE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA IF HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME MORE POWER HITTING A BRICK WALL AND DAMAGING THE CAR THAT WE HAD TO SELL IT BECAUSE WE WERE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicCrash reportedODI 10457496

Electronic stability control (esc)

9 reports1 crash
“MY BRAKE BOOSTER FAILS WHILE DRIVING AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR OTHER TOYOTAS NOT FOR LEXUS HS250H HAVE TO PAY OUT OF PACKAGE FOR REPAIR. THE REAR LIGHT IS LED AND THEY BURN OUT NO REPLACEMENT FROM LEXUS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2019Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 11244570

Vehicle speed control

9 reports4 crashes
“THIS IS AN IDENTICAL COMPLAINT TO ANOTHER I SAW HERE. WHILE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE GOES OVER A BUMP OR A POTHOLE OR A SLIPPERY SURFACE, THE FOLLOWING HAPPENS: , - BRAKES LOSE ALL OF THEIR GRIP FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE SECOND (I.E. NO LONGER BEING APPLIED) . WHILE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE FOR THIS BRIEF MOMENT, IT DOES CEASE TO BRAKE, WHICH HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS AHEAD. IT IS VERY PREDICTABLE AT THIS POINT, BUT STILL A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT OCCURS SOMETIMES, IT OCCURS EVERY TIME (ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR IS ON A DOWNHILL INCLINE). THIS HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEEDS, LESS THAN 30 OR 35 MPH. THE DATE OF OCCURANCE REFLECTED BELOW IS NOT ACCURRATE, AS THIS HAPPENS SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR (2011) DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2016Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 10824364
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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