This page covers 5 recalls, 40 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Lexus Is 250.
22 mpg combined
10.7 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2010 Lexus IS 250 centers on the airbag system, which accounts by far for the largest share of reports. Owners frequently describe dashboard deterioration, a sticky, degrading surface that in many cases relates to airbag cover or dashboard material breaking down over time. The dashboard complaints are consistent across multiple reports, with owners noting the material becomes tacky, sheds residue, and in some cases transfers onto objects placed against it. Vehicle speed control draws the next-highest complaint volume, though at a much lower count. A smaller number of owners report steering concerns, including instances where power steering cuts out while driving and the steering wheel becomes significantly harder to turn, sometimes accompanied by a warning light on the instrument panel.
40
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Lexus IS 250 has 5 recalls, all centering on the same critical defect: the front passenger airbag inflator can rupture or explode, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin and causing serious injury or death.
All five recalls address the same Takata airbag inflator problem in the front passenger seat. The inflator, which is the component that rapidly fills the airbag during a crash, can instead burst apart violently. When that happens, metal shrapnel travels through the cabin at high speed, putting the front passenger and potentially others at serious risk. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why multiple rounds of recalls have been issued targeting different model years and registration regions over time. Some filings specifically target vehicles that were sold or registered in high-humidity states and territories, including Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, and several U.S. territories, because prolonged moisture exposure worsens the risk of inflator failure. If your vehicle falls within the affected VIN range, this is a defect where driving with an unrepaired front passenger seat poses a direct physical danger to anyone seated there.
At a glance
What can fail
Driver or passenger front airbag inflators previously replaced under an earlier recall may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, high temperature, and temperature changes.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected front airbag inflator, assembly, or sub-assembly depending on vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly depending on your vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during deployment due to degradation from humidity and temperature exposure over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or entire air bag assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
