What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus GS?

The engine group has the most complaints at 12. Exterior lighting, brakes and the fuel system follow with 5 each.

Does the 2008 Lexus GS have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact lists 4 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.

Is the 2008 Lexus GS reliable?

Owners filed 45 complaints. The engine group is the largest at 12. These reports are unverified, so use them as a guide and check the car in person.

What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Lexus GS?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

2008 Lexus GS Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2008 Lexus GS have?

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Lexus GS^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 12 complaints^[2].

45owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

20–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Engine. 12 complaints^[2]. Owners describe oil running low between changes, the car stalling while moving, and a smell of gas near the engine.
Unknown or other. 8 complaints^[5]. These do not name one clear part, so they cover a mix of issues.
Exterior lighting. 5 complaints^[6]. Owners describe headlights that cut out while driving, poor view of the road at night, and rear lights that did not warn drivers behind them.
Brakes. 5 complaints^[7]. Owners describe noisy brakes, a braking system fault that left the pedal hard, and a costly repair quote.
Fuel and propulsion system. 5 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a gasoline smell in the cabin and warning lights that kept coming back after service.
Power train. 4 complaints^[9]. Some of these reports involve a crash or a fire.
Speed control. 4 complaints^[10]. Some of these reports involve a crash or an injury.
Suspension. 3 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 GS is necessarily included.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (18V432), June 2018. About 114,998 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (14V647), October 2014. About 422,509 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Engine (13V395), September 2013. About 101,584 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine (10V309), July 2010. About 138,874 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
GS 450h, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	22 / 25 / 23	$3,550
GS 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[16]	19 / 27 / 22	$3,750
GS 350 AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[17]	18 / 25 / 20	$4,100
GS 460, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	17 / 24 / 20	$4,100

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR RWD^[19].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
GS 350 4DR SEDAN RWD^[20]	190 in	72 in	56 in	112 in	3,704 lb
GS 450h 4DR SEDAN RWD^[21]	190 in	72 in	56 in	112 in	4,134 lb
GS 460 4DR SEDAN RWD^[22]	190 in	72 in	56 in	112 in	3,836 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each GS model year. The 2008 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	11	1
1996	3	1
1997	0	1
1998	64	1
1999	42	0
2000	36	0
2001	24	0
2002	17	0
2003	21	0
2004	9	0
2005	4	0
2006	180	8
2007	106	7
2008	45	4
2009	10	3
2010	18	3
2011	9	3
2013	48	3
2014	20	1
2015	19	1
2016	10	2
2017	6	3
2018	4	4
2019	1	3

NHTSA's counts for the GS show 45 complaints and 4 recalls for 2008^[3]. Among the 25 model years listed, 20 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 4 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 1997 (0) and the most are for 2006 (180)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2008 GS?

The 2008 Lexus GS has 45 complaints on file^[1]. The engine group leads the list with 12^[2]. No deaths are reported^[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Check the recalls section and have a trusted shop look over the engine and lights before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus GS?: The engine group has the most complaints at 12^[2]. Exterior lighting, brakes and the fuel system follow with 5 each^[6]^[7]^[8].
Does the 2008 Lexus GS have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact lists 4 recalls^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
How many complaints does the 2008 Lexus GS have?: NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2008 Lexus GS reliable?: Owners filed 45 complaints^[1]. The engine group is the largest at 12^[2]. These reports are unverified, so use them as a guide and check the car in person.
What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Lexus GS?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Lexus GS

2006 180 complaints, 8 recalls
2007 106 complaints, 7 recalls
2008 this page
2013 48 complaints, 3 recalls
2014 20 complaints, 1 recall
2015 19 complaints, 1 recall
2016 10 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Lexus GS

Other Lexus models from 2008

2008 Lexus ES 323 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Lexus IS 257 complaints, 11 recalls

All Lexus models

Similar cars from 2008: compact cars

2008 Saab 9-3 184 complaints, 2 recalls
2008 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 213 complaints, 14 recalls
2008 Subaru Legacy/Outback 291 complaints, 9 recalls
2008 BMW 3 Series 676 complaints, 7 recalls
2008 Ford Focus 250 complaints, 1 recall
2008 Honda Accord 1,520 complaints, 8 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Lexus GS (8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 137,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus GS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for GS 450h, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 25 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 18V432, filed June 26, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V647, filed October 15, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V395, filed September 4, 2013: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V309, filed July 6, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for GS 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for GS 350 AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for GS 460, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GS 350 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,704 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GS 450h 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,134 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GS 460 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,836 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2008 Lexus GS: problems, recalls and fuel economy