There are 2 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2010 Lexus ESin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Purchased this car on [XXX] from Alpina Motors on Eastern Blvd in Maryland. In February took the car to Ron's Auto Repair, and he said that the brakes were metal on metal, so he replaced the Brakes and Rotors for $510. On [XXX] while driving on the Garden State Parkway with my [XXX] son the axle broke. Scaring me and my son because of losing control and not knowing what to do. Had to call my grandmother to get car towed and repaired at Scotts Auto in Carney's Point, NJ for $465. On 05/01/2025 I asked the dealer if he could he check my transmission fluid. He stated he couldn't because he didn't have a tool. On 05/02/2025 I took the car to Midas Auto Service on Eastern Ave in Balto. The tech stated this car needed Ignition Coil, Spark Plugs Brake pads and rotors for the front of the car. Bald tire in rear, other Axle, Engine & Transmission Mounts and Transmission filter and fluid. The technician at Midas stated that had the dealer inspected this car prior to selling, he would have known about the condition of the car. I paid Midas for the transmission filter and fluid. They suggested I return it to the dealer. When I did the dealer stated that he would replace other axle, replace Engine & trans. mount, rear brakes and rotors and 6 spark plugs for $1100. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
AT 59000 MILES MY 2010 LEXUS EXPERIENCED ROUGH SHIFTING UP THROUGH THE GEARS AND DOWN THE GEARS UNTIL THE CAR COMES TO A FULL STOP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS DEALER NEAR ME IN FLORIDA. THEY DIAGNOSED THE ROUGH SHIFTING AS A BAD TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE POWERTRAIN HAS A 7 YEAR 70,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR DEFECTS, THE FACTORY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION REPRESENTATIVE ONLY OFFERED TO OFFSET THE $7,000 COST OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT BY $3,000. I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PORTION OF THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS 10 MODEL YEARS OLD IT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DRIVEN LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. MOST OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES AS THIS IS OUR SECOND CAR AND IS USED PRIMARILY FOR DRIVING TRIPS. IT IS GARAGED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. HAS BEEN SERVICED ONLY BY A LEXUS DEALER SINCE NEW. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT LEXUS HAS PROVIDED ME WITH A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT FAILED AFTER 59,000 MILES THROUGH NO FAULT ON MY BEHALF. BECAUSE THE CAR EXCEEDED THE YEARS OF THE WARRANTY SITTING IN A GARAGE NOT BEING USED SHOULD NOT BE THE DECIDING FACTOR. I REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE TO HAVE LEXUS CORRECT A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION THAT HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR THE 70,000 MILES THAT SHOULD BE THE CONTROLLING FACTOR NOT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY LIGHTLY USED AND CAREFULLY MAINTAINED
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026