Home › Lexus › ES › 2008
2008 Lexus ES: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 323 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Lexus ES[1], and the air bag group is named in 207 of them[2]. The car also has recalls for air bag inflators and for an accelerator pedal that can get trapped by a floor mat[3][4][5][6].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 323 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 34 mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 30 mention injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car, so the group counts below overlap.
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags[2] | 207 | 15 | 64,000 |
| Speed control[9] | 41 | 17 | 19,000 |
| Unknown or other[10] | 22 | 1 | 141,000 |
| Structure[11] | 19 | 1 | 56,000 |
| Electrical system[12] | 13 | 1 | 65,000 |
| Engine[13] | 11 | 2 | 67,000 |
| Visibility[14] | 6 | 0 | 59,100 |
| Brakes[15] | 6 | 2 | 28,524 |
Air bags. This is the largest group by far[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 8 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash, including frontal, side and rollover crashes[2]. Another 3 describe a passenger air bag status light that shows "off" or flickers while someone is seated[2]. Owners report this. It is not a confirmed defect.
Speed control. This group has fewer complaints but the most crashes of any group, at 17[9]. In a sample of 12 texts, 11 describe the car speeding up on its own, and 6 say braking did not stop or slow it[9]. The median failure mileage is 19,000, the lowest of any group[9]. A related recall is covered below.
Structure. In a sample of 12 complaints, 7 describe a dashboard that turns sticky or shiny, and 3 of those mention glare[11]. 3 describe a door window dropping or popping out after a plastic part broke[11].
Electrical system. In a sample of 12 complaints, owners describe door locks that misbehave (3), a window that fell down (2) and a dead battery (2)[12]. The engine group includes 1 fire complaint[13].
Recalls
NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[7]. Newest first:
- Replacement air bag inflators (19V741). Filed October 17, 2019, covering 928,220 vehicles across several models[3]. These cars had front air bag inflators replaced under an earlier recall with parts of the same design. The inflators may explode as the propellant breaks down after long exposure to humidity and temperature swings. Metal fragments could hit the driver or other occupants and cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the driver inflator, the passenger inflator or the air bag assembly, depending on the model. The recall began November 20, 2019[3].
- Passenger air bag inflator (17V006). Filed January 9, 2017, covering 577,875 vehicles[4]. Inflators in the passenger front air bag may rupture in a crash because the propellant degrades over time. Fragments could strike occupants and cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the inflator or the air bag assembly free of charge. The recall began February 1, 2017[4]. It applies by where the car was first sold or registered[4].
- Passenger air bag inflator (16V340). Filed May 23, 2016, covering 1,754,517 vehicles[5]. Same risk of a rupturing inflator and flying metal fragments. Dealers replace the inflator or the air bag assembly free of charge. The recall began December 6, 2016, and applies only to cars first sold or registered in certain states and territories[5].
- Accelerator pedal and floor mat (09V388). Filed October 5, 2009, covering 4,445,056 vehicles from several models[6]. The accelerator pedal can get stuck wide open when an unsecured or wrong driver's floor mat traps it. That can mean very high speed and trouble stopping, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death. The fix is a modified pedal, and on some cars a reshaped floor under the pedal. Redesigned pedals were due from April 2010. Dealers also replace Toyota or Lexus all-weather mats, and the ES 350 gets a software update so the brake overrides the accelerator[6].
Whether a specific car has had this work done is not in our data. Ask the seller for proof of repair.
Fuel economy
The EPA rates the ES 350 with the 3.5L 6-cylinder engine, Automatic (S6), front-wheel drive and premium fuel at 19 MPG city, 27 highway and 22 combined[8]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,750[8]. That estimate uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 4-door front-wheel-drive version are listed as not rated[16]. That means there is no star score to compare. It says nothing good or bad about crash performance.
Engine and size
The EPA lists a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine for the ES 350[8]. Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications for the ES 350 4-door sedan, front-wheel drive, and can differ slightly from US models[17].
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 191 in |
| Width | 72 in |
| Height | 57 in |
| Wheelbase | 109 in |
| Curb weight | 3,580 lb |
All values are from[17].
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38 | 1 |
| 1996 | 38 | 1 |
| 1997 | 47 | 2 |
| 1998 | 53 | 1 |
| 1999 | 35 | 0 |
| 2000 | 62 | 0 |
| 2001 | 31 | 0 |
| 2002 | 180 | 2 |
| 2003 | 139 | 0 |
| 2004 | 190 | 2 |
| 2005 | 200 | 2 |
| 2006 | 79 | 0 |
| 2007 | 664 | 4 |
| 2008 | 323 | 4 |
| 2009 | 173 | 5 |
| 2010 | 179 | 5 |
| 2011 | 199 | 3 |
| 2012 | 120 | 3 |
| 2013 | 70 | 1 |
| 2014 | 46 | 1 |
| 2015 | 27 | 1 |
| 2016 | 37 | 1 |
| 2017 | 26 | 1 |
| 2018 | 15 | 2 |
| 2019 | 40 | 4 |
| 2020 | 24 | 3 |
| 2021 | 35 | 1 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 |
| 2023 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
The 2008 model year has 323 complaints and 4 recalls on file[7]. Only 2007 has more complaints, at 664[7]. The next highest are 2005 with 200 and 2011 with 199[7]. For recalls, 2009 and 2010 have 5 each[7]. 2008 has 4, the same as 2007 and 2019[7]. Every year from 2012 on has 120 complaints or fewer[7]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.
Should you buy a used 2008 Lexus ES?
The 2008 ES sits near the top of its own model line for complaints, and the air bag and speed control groups stand out in those complaints[1][2][9]. Complaints are unverified, and our sample reading is small, so it does not prove how often these things happen. The open question for any specific car is whether the air bag inflator and accelerator pedal recalls were completed[3][4][5][6]. Get that answer in writing before you buy. Fuel economy is 22 MPG combined on premium fuel[8]. Our data does not cover reliability scores, so it cannot say how the car holds up beyond the complaint record.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus ES?
- Air bags are the group named in the most NHTSA complaints, 207 of 323[1][2]. Speed control has 41 complaints and the most crashes, 17[9]. In a small sample we read, owners describe air bags not deploying and the car accelerating on its own[2][9].
- Does the 2008 Lexus ES have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists four: three for air bag inflators (19V741, 17V006, 16V340) and one for an accelerator pedal trapped by a floor mat (09V388)[3][4][5][6].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Lexus ES 350?
- The EPA rates it at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined MPG, and it uses premium fuel[8].
- Is the 2008 Lexus ES a good year?
- It has the second most complaints of any ES year, 323, behind 2007 at 664[7]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so this is only a rough guide.
- What are the 2008 Lexus ES dimensions?
- Canadian-market specifications list 191 in long, 72 in wide, 57 in high, a 109 in wheelbase and 3,580 lb curb weight[17].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 323 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Lexus ES (34 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 30 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 207 complaints name the air bags component group (15 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V006, filed January 9, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V388, filed October 5, 2009: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus ES model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for ES 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 41 complaints name the speed control component group (17 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 141,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,100). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,524). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ES 350 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,580 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov