Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2010 Lexus IS 350 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2018.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the Lexus IS 350. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 94
18.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2010 Lexus IS 350
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
654.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 88,000 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
218.2%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
19.1%
Body & Structure
19.1%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
19.1%
Median failure at 42,000 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2013peak 3Aug 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2010 Lexus IS 350
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2010 Lexus IS 350
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2019008376,282 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Action: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the passenger-front airbag inflator or airbag module replaced. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.
Recall 201445818,949 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment may have been produced with particles from the anti-corrosion plating on the gasket seating surface where the fuel pressure sensor is installed. This could affect the sealing properties of the gasket seated between the pressure sensor and the pipe, potentially resulting in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the gasket and repair the gasket seating surface.
Recall 20132973,922 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, the bolts used to secure the housing and sprocket of the intake-side Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) gear assembly could loosen. If this occurs, the VVT gear will not control the intake valves correctly. In some instances, the VVT gear housing and sprocket could separate, causing the engine to stall. Engine stalling would result in a loss of vehicle propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver’s reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the VVT unit with an improved version.
Recall 201303116,756 units in Canada
Visual System
On certain vehicles, the wiper arm securing nuts could have been insufficiently tightened during assembly. If the movement of the wipers is restricted by an external load, such as heavy snow on the windshield, the wiper arms could slip and one or both wipers could become inoperative. If this occurs, driver visibility could be reduced, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will clean the mating surface of the wiper arm and motor shaft and install improved wiper arm nuts.
Recall 2009290437,445 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, the accelerator pedal may become stuck in the wide open position due to an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death. Correction: Dealers will reconfigure the shape of the accelerator pedal. Certain models will also have the shape of the floor underneath the accelerator pedal modified and/or a brake override system installed.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 88,000 milesEuless, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 LEXUS IS 350. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AND STRUCK A BARRIER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND SUFFERED FRACTURED RIBS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO DETERMINE THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #11121703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 88,000 milesEuless, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 LEXUS IS 350. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AND STRUCK A BARRIER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND SUFFERED FRACTURED RIBS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO DETERMINE THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #11121703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS 350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10948929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Linn, OR
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS 350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN AIR BAG RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10945712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER IN MAY 2016 THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND NEEDED TO COME IN FOR SERVICE, I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS AND WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN THEY WERE AVAILABLE. AS OF 12/09/2016 THEY STILL NAVE NOT RECEIVED WHAT THEY NEED TO FIX MY VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH LEXUS. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF I DO NOT GET SATISFACTION I MAY HAVE TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY.
NHTSA complaint #10934071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS 350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10929012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethany Beach, DE
AIR BAGS
THESE THREE ITEMS ARE LISTED AS RE CALL HOWEVER NO ONE HAS CONTACTED THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE WHERE CAN WE GET THESE FIXED WE LIVE IN BETHANY BEACH DELAWARE 19930 PHONE # [XXX] OR EMAIL. [XXX] THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10882474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethany Beach, DE
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THESE THREE ITEMS ARE LISTED AS RE CALL HOWEVER NO ONE HAS CONTACTED THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE WHERE CAN WE GET THESE FIXED WE LIVE IN BETHANY BEACH DELAWARE 19930 PHONE # [XXX] OR EMAIL. [XXX] THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10882474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethany Beach, DE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THESE THREE ITEMS ARE LISTED AS RE CALL HOWEVER NO ONE HAS CONTACTED THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE WHERE CAN WE GET THESE FIXED WE LIVE IN BETHANY BEACH DELAWARE 19930 PHONE # [XXX] OR EMAIL. [XXX] THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10882474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesClinton, NY
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS IS350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE IGNITION, AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V395000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL UNTIL JANUARY 2013 BECAUSE OF A MASSIVE WAITING LIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #10553057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesCompton, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAME LOOSE AND WAS DANGLING BACK AND FORTH. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE MIRRORS WERE NEVER HIT OR IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE A LEXUS IS350 2010.
NHTSA complaint #10499316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesCompton, CA
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAME LOOSE AND WAS DANGLING BACK AND FORTH. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE MIRRORS WERE NEVER HIT OR IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE A LEXUS IS350 2010.
NHTSA complaint #10499316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.