The 2010 Lexus IS 350 has 7 recalls, the most serious being a defective passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The airbag inflator issue is covered across multiple recalls representing the long-running Takata inflator campaign, but the underlying danger is the same: the front passenger airbag inflator can rupture violently in a crash, turning the component itself into a hazard rather than a protection. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why several filings exist for overlapping model years and geographic zones. On the engine side, variable valve timing gear bolts can loosen, allowing the VVT gear housing and sprocket to separate inside the engine. If that happens while driving, the engine can shut off without warning, leaving the driver without power and increasing the risk of a crash. There is also a fuel system concern: the diaphragm inside the fuel pulsation damper, part of the 3.5L V6 engine's fuel delivery system, can harden and crack over time and allow raw fuel to leak. A fuel leak near any ignition source raises the risk of a fire.
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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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 rubber diaphragm inside the fuel pulsation damper can harden and crack over time, potentially causing fuel to leak from the fuel system.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new one containing improved pulsation dampers that resist hardening and cracking.
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.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the Variable-Valve Timing gear assembly housing and sprocket can loosen due to abnormal impacts that occur right after a cold start.
What the fix does
Lexus dealers will replace the Variable-Valve Timing unit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
