HS (1st)
Engine Reliability Ratings
2AZ-FXE + 2JM
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2010-2012 Lexus HS
That's near the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). Within the normal range for the category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 12 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2010] The contact owns a 2010 Lexus HS 250H. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal a second time, the vehicle jerked while responding sluggishly. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while making a turn. The contact stated that the accelerator peda
- [2010] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS HS250 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DON MOORE TOYOTA (4216 FREDERICA ST, OWENSBORO, KY 42301) AND KENNY KENT LEXUS (5600 DIVISION ST, EVANSVILLE, IN 47715) WHERE THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STAT
- [2010] I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS LEXUS HS250 PURCHASED 7/2020 IT HAD A RECALLED HYBRID TRANSAXLE REPLACED 7/2018, BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. HOWEVER ON 8/11/2020 UPON STARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING JUST 4000 THE HYBRID BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE READ THAT THE PREVIOUS RECALL IS TO BLAME FOR THE HYBRID BATTERY FAILING PREMATURELY AND SHORT CIRCUITING THIS BATTERY REPLACEMENT SHOULD AL
Electric Propulsion
- [2010] I HAVE A COMPLETE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER A LOT WHEN I RUN OVER A BUMP AND THEN MY CAR ACCELERATE FASTER ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT SOMEONE IN THE REAR.
- [2010] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS H250SH (NA). WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (JM LEXUS, 5353 W SAMPLE RD, MARGATE, FL 33071, 954-972-2000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JM LEXUS AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIA
High-Voltage Battery
- [2010] I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS LEXUS HS250 PURCHASED 7/2020 IT HAD A RECALLED HYBRID TRANSAXLE REPLACED 7/2018, BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. HOWEVER ON 8/11/2020 UPON STARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING JUST 4000 THE HYBRID BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE READ THAT THE PREVIOUS RECALL IS TO BLAME FOR THE HYBRID BATTERY FAILING PREMATURELY AND SHORT CIRCUITING THIS BATTERY REPLACEMENT SHOULD AL
Regenerative Braking
- [2010] 2010 LEXUS 250HS BRAKE ACTUATOR. DRIVING ALONG A CITY STREET GOING 55 MPH. SLOWING DOWN TO APPROACH A STOP LIGHT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL THE RED BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COMES ON. MY PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAVE NO BRAKES AND ALMOST CRASHED MY CAR INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER CAR. I HAD TO HIT THE CA SHIFTER INTO B MODE AND FLY INTO THE GRASS TO STOP. THERE WAS A
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2010] 2010 LEXUS HS 250H START MALFUNCTION, ALL LIGHTS FLICKERING THEN NOTHING. ATTEMPTED JUMPING THE 12V BATTERY OFF BUT THAT DID NOT WORK, ATTEMPTED REPLACING KEY FOB BATTERY AND THAT DID NOT WORK. NOW THERE IS NO LIGHTS OR ELECTRICITY THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT FLICKER ARE THE P LIGHT WHICH STROBES SLIGHTLY AND WHEN THE BRAKE IS PLAYED WITH (DEPRESSED AND LET OUT SEVERAL TIMES) I CAN GET THE LIGHT "KEY NOT
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Lexus HS regardless of engine variant.
Alternatives in Luxury Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2010-2012 Lexus HS problems?
The 2010-2012 Lexus HS has accumulated 147 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Brakes, Suspension, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Lexus HS engine is most reliable?
The 2010-2012 Lexus HS was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2010-2012 Lexus HS a good used car?
The 2010-2012 Lexus HS can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 147 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010-2012 Lexus HS have?
The 2010-2012 Lexus HS has 147 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2010-2012 Lexus HS?
There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2010-2012 Lexus HS vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Lexus HS?
Before buying a used Lexus HS, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Brakes, Suspension, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
Does the HS have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2010-2012 Lexus HS. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 147 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.