Check a VIN

2010 Lexus RX engine problems

23 complaints (30% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 115,000.

owner complaints
23
of this car's complaints
30%
typical mileage
115,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine: oil/lubrication: oil cooler
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Lexus RX engine problems in other years

199920052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Lexus RX engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Check engine light 5Engine failure 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2010 Lexus RX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Engine · GA

We had a known oil line ruptured the oil cooler, there was a serviceable and sit out to the dealers to only repair if it was leaking and they extended it to 10 years $150,000 miles our vehicle had a rupture at 170,000 miles we were never told about the recall or we would have it done earlier we now have sparkles in our oil this is the part that it doesn't leak it ruptures I'm sure all out could place a fire and it certainly is can cause catastrophic damage to the engine 1500 to repair

Filed Apr 29, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

I was looking at common problems associated with the make and model of my car. I came across an issue that could possibly cause engine failure. I am unsure if any one has reported it yet. here are the details - Problem overview An VVT-i oil line on the Lexus RX350 is known to burst. This is a very large leak which covers the ground, engine, and undercarriage. If the oil line ruptures while driving, the low engine oil message and engine oil pressure warnings will illuminate. Continued use after these warnings will result in complete engine failure due to oil starvation. The line is known to be defective, and a revised part has been issued by Toyota, however, this revised part is known for the same issue. To repair the issue, the line must be replaced, and the engine bay and undercarriage must be cleaned thoroughly. The problem has occured generally around 120k miles. Here is the link to the website that has collected information from 116 users. Requesting you to please check if this a problem that needs a recall? [XXX] ely report it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Engine · CO

Pot affects 2007-2011 RX350/450= 459,285 units. 1. On Friday, [XXX], the oil cooler pipe burst on our 2010 RX350. 2. All six quarts of engine oil were lost in approximately 700 feet while traveling at 70–75 mph on the highway. 3. Massive amounts of smoke poured from the front of the vehicle & through the air vents, causing my wife & daughter to fear for their safety due to risk of a fire & smoke inhalation. 4. No warning lights appeared on the dash, meaning the vehicle could easily have been driven to engine failure had there been no smoke. 5. 2 Colorado Department of Transportation vehicles & a State Trooper stopped to be sure they were ok & monitor the risk of a fire. 8. Towed & Lexus dealership confirmed seen many 3rd gen RXs with this same issue, some with seized engines because no dash warnings were triggered.  9. Lexus updated part from RUBBER to STEE, acknowledging design flaw.  Major Safety Concerns This failure represents a serious safety risk that could have resulted in fire, injury, death, or catastrophic engine/property damage. - Oil spray on hot engine components like the headers & exhaust pipes (700-1100F) poses a legitimate fire hazard considering oil flashpoint (400-700F). - Oil sprayed onto the brakes increased the risk of loss of braking & traction control in sudden/emergency maneuvers. - Engine seizing/stop due to loss of oil could result in an accident if the vehicle stops suddenly on the highway when it seizes, loses control, or the electric steering, braking &/or other safety systems fail. - If this had occurred on a mountain descent from the Rockies into Denver or any other long descent, a fire caused by oil spraying on 700-800F brake rotors or loss of control could have occurred. - Entire underside of the vehicle is coated in oil, contaminating the rear brakes, potentially damaging wiring, solenoids, & other safety-critical components, as well as representing an additional fire risk due to oil on the exhaust pipe.  INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

Filed Jan 11, 2025 · Engine · MO

The the VVI oil line failed in April of 2024. Contacted Lexus corporate via phone and problem was never resolved. Fast forward to November 2024 and after paying to have VVI oil line replaced the motor failed on the highway. Mechanic said complete engine failure. THIS CAR WAS A CERTIFIED USED LEXUS AND THEY FAILED TO REPLACE THE VVI DURING THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS! Prior to buying this used car from an individual I called Hendricks Lexus 6935 W Frontage Rd, Merriam, KS 66203 and spoke to service advisor Willie who said if you have any problems with that vehicle bring it in and Lexus IS making good on the hybrid vehicles. After purchase I went to Hendricks 9300 NW Prairie View Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153 multiple times for parts and service history. I spoke to parts manager, service manager and several others and NOT ONE PERSON INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM AND IMMEDIATE NEED FOR CONCERN! HOW DID THIS CAR GET CERTIFIED PRIOR TO THE PREVIOS OWNER BUYING THE VEHICLE “CERTIFIED”? I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT HAD BEEN COMPLETELY CERTIFIED AND GIVEN THE 6 year additional warranty to the owner I purchased it from, although they were still considerably below the miles guaranteed with the certification. How did Lexus allow this vehicle to pass the certification without replacing a $100 part that could result in catastrophic failure. THIS CAR WAS SOLD AT A PREMIUM BECAUSE OF THE CERTIFICATION, YET A PART THAT HAD BEEN RECONFIGURED AND IDENTIFIED AS CONTRIBUTING TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS EARLY AS 2012 WAS LEFT ON THE VEHICLE!

Filed Feb 22, 2024 · Engine · NC

The transmission to oil cooler hose erupted!! Oil was sprayed everywhere along highways. Destroying environment This is an environmental safety issue. As well as a vehicle killer. It is a well documented problem with Toyota and lexus vehicles. Just Google it. Many have been recalled. This is a serious design flaw. The government needs to address this. Every mechanic is stunned at how ridiculous it was to use rubber instead of metal. Toyota/ Lexus needs to recall all vehicles snd repair this. And reimburse those who already fixed them or lost their vehicles. One mechanic said this could result in vehicle fires I realize my vehicle is old. But this is an ongoing issue with multiple years involved. Thank you

Filed Sep 20, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

There is a known issue in the form of a Warranty Policy Bulletin and I believe a recall in Canada for a faulty engine oil cooler line that was made of rubber and fails under heat (now replaced by metal lines). This happened to my daughter after a hot day and she pulled away from the driveway the next day. Almost all of the oil leaked out and we stopped the car and had it towed to a Lexus dealership. When it was inspected, it was confirmed this was the issue, and there was a noise in the engine. I have a concern that further engine problems may have resulted in a loose bearing needing compete replacement. This has yet to be confirmed, but seems consistent with the many discussion boards that mention this exact issue.

Filed May 2, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NY

My AWD check system keeps going on and off every few days. I took it to Mavis who gave me codes and stated that there is a TSB found to the issues my vehicle read. I took it to lexus of Brooklyn who basically disregard the recommendations just so I javelin to pay them again to diagnosis whay was already diagnosed.

Filed Sep 16, 2021 · Engine · DE

We were 2 hours into a 9 hour drive when I noticed smoke in the rear view mirror. I continued to drive as I thought it may have been coming from another vehicle. I drove to the nearest gas station (about 3 mi) and pulled in. Upon exiting the vehicle, we found the back window and the entire back of the SUV covered in oil. There were no warning lights and no engine noises. We checked the oil and it was so low that it did not register on the dip stick. We added 2 quarts of oil which then registered on the tip of the dip stick. We then added another quart of oil and drove to a nearby service station (1/2 mi). The mechanic could not diagnose the problem since he couldn't put it on his lift (it was occupied by another vehicle). He contacted two other service stations in the area and found one less than a mile away that had a lift open. We added 2 more quarts of oil and drove to the next service station. The mechanic put the vehicle on the lift and quickly found the problem - a pin hole in the oil line. He was able to find a replacement part (not the original part as it had been discontinued) and get us up and running the same day. We were very fortunate that I noticed the smoke - if I had not noticed it and continued to drive (we were 10 minutes from driving over a bridge tunnel) it could have been catastrophic. We finished the 7 additional hours of driving that day and after being gone for a week, have now returned home (another 9 hours). The mechanic told me the part had been recalled, but when I searched this sight, I found lots of similar reports - but no recall. Coincidentally, I had had the oil changed 4 days before beginning this trip. It is surprising that there are so many reports of this incident, but no recall by Lexus.

Filed Aug 18, 2021 · Engine · VA

Driving along normally, started seeing a flashing "low oil pressure warning". Within seconds, engine started revving uncontrollably and would not make power. Was able to coast into a parking lot. On dipstick inspection, engine had lost ALL engine oil and entire car was covered in oil. Suspect that oil spilled out at some point on the road- danger to other cars. Vehicle was towed to local dealer, diagnosed as a blown oil cooler pipe, causes all engine oil to spray out in seconds. This is a known problem, addressed in Lexus Technical Service Bulletin L-SB-0154-11 and a recalled part in Canada, but not in the US. Factory part is a rubber oil line that deteriorates and bursts, Lexus has an upgraded medal line available. Service invoice can be updated once service completed if needed.

Filed Jul 21, 2021 · Engine · GA

the rubber oil cooler hose busted/exploded on 6/03/2021 on the way home from vacation 2 hours away from home late at night with my 2 children. there were no warning lights etc. all of a sudden it started making this horrible sound, i stopped on side of rode to everything covered in oil. had to get the vehicle towed to home. the engine and all under hood was covered in oil. i see tons and tons of complaints on this issue but no recalls. i would think this is very dangerous. shouldn’t this be replaced for free and /or reimbursement. spoke with ballet lexus roswell. they were familiar with this problem but no reimbursement offered therefore vehicle is still sitting in garage undeliverable.

Questions about the 2010 Lexus RX engine

Does the 2010 Lexus RX have engine problems?

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Lexus RX, 30% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2010 Lexus RX engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 115,000 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2010 Lexus RX engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 2010 Lexus RX problems

Brakes 18Acceleration 10Steering 9Driver assistance 6Electrical 6Fuel system 6Body 3Suspension 3Transmission 3Airbags 2Seats 2Tires 2Visibility 1Wheels 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2010 Lexus RX?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history