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2008 Lexus IS: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 257 owner complaints for the 2008 Lexus IS and 11 recalls on file[1][2]. Owners in the complaint samples we read describe an air bag warning light and a sticky dashboard, so check recall history and those areas on any car you consider[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 257 owner complaints for the 2008 Lexus IS[1]. Of those, 16 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 7 injuries, and no deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.
The component groups with the most complaints are:
- Air bags: 69 complaints, 3 crashes, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000[3]
- Structure: 58 complaints, 1 fire, median mileage 60,000[4]
- Engine: 40 complaints, no crashes, fires or injuries, median mileage 74,000[6]
- Unknown or other: 38 complaints, 2 injuries[7]
- Speed control: 21 complaints, 11 crashes, 1 injury, median mileage 17,954[8]
- Visibility/wiper: 21 complaints, median mileage 67,500[9]
- Electrical system: 18 complaints, 1 crash[10]
- Fuel/propulsion system: 13 complaints, median mileage 122,000[11]
In the small samples of complaint texts we read, owners describe these themes:
- Air bag warning light. In 7 of 12 air bag complaints we read, owners describe the warning light coming on, and in 6 of them a dealer blames a failing wiring harness behind the dash. Several say the fault can switch off the air bags, and several describe repair quotes they considered costly once the car was out of warranty[3].
- Sticky, melting dashboard. In 11 of 12 structure complaints we read, owners describe a dashboard (often with door panels) that turns soft, shiny and sticky, and dealers that would not cover the repair[4]. In the visibility sample, 9 of 12 describe the same dashboard throwing glare onto the windshield[9]. Two describe a spotted or hazy rear view mirror, and none of the 12 mentions wipers[9].
- Engine. In 4 of 12 engine complaints we read, owners describe a rattle at cold start[6]. Several others describe misfiring, shaking, stalling or loss of power[6].
These samples are small, so they show what owners describe and not how common a problem is. Complaint counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold. None of the recalls below is about the dashboard.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first. Each one covers several models, and some depend on build dates, engine or where the car was registered, so check your own VIN with Lexus or NHTSA. All eleven describe a dealer repair, and none is listed as pending.
- Front air bag inflator (19V741). The inflator may explode as its propellant breaks down in humidity and heat, and metal fragments could cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the inflator or the air bag assembly, depending on the model.[12]
- Fuel delivery pipe (18V432). IS 350 models with the 3.5L V6. Diaphragms in the fuel pulsation dampers can harden and crack, which could leak fuel and raise fire risk. Dealers fit a new fuel delivery pipe with improved dampers, free of charge.[13]
- Passenger air bag inflator (17V006). Passenger inflators that could rupture after long exposure to humidity and temperature swings, sending metal fragments at occupants. Which cars are covered depends on the state where they were first sold or registered. Dealers replace the inflator or air bag assembly, free of charge.[14]
- Passenger air bag inflator (16V340). The same rupture risk and similar state-based zones as the recall above, with serious injury or death possible. Dealers replace the inflator or air bag assembly, free of charge.[15]
- Fuel pressure sensor (14V647). Leftover anti-corrosion plating can let fuel leak where the fuel pressure sensor meets the fuel pipe, which raises fire risk. Dealers clean and reseal the area, free of charge.[16]
- Variable valve timing gear (13V395). IS 350 and IS 350c with the 2GR-FSE engine. Bolts in the valve timing gear can loosen after a cold start and the parts could separate, which could stop the engine while driving. Dealers replace the valve timing unit, free of charge.[17]
- Wiper arm nuts (13V030). The nuts that hold the wiper arms may not be tightened enough. Under a load such as heavy snow, one or both wipers could stop working and cut visibility. Dealers install new nuts, free of charge.[18]
- Fuel pressure sensor (11V029). The fuel pressure sensor may loosen over time and let fuel leak, which could cause a fire. Dealers check for leaks, then tighten the sensor or replace its gasket and tighten it, free of charge.[19]
- Valve spring (10V309). Tiny foreign particles in the valve spring material can weaken it and it could break. The engine could then stop suddenly while moving, which raises crash risk. Dealers repair the cars, free of charge.[20]
- Accelerator pedal and floor mat (09V388). The accelerator pedal can get trapped by an unsecured or wrong floor mat and stay wide open, which could cause very high speeds, a crash, serious injury or death. Dealers modify the pedal and, on some cars, the floor under it, and offer redesigned all-weather mats. IS 250 and IS 350 also get software so the brake overrides the accelerator[21].
- Fuel rails (09V020). Aluminum fuel rails can corrode inside when run on low-moisture ethanol fuel, and a pinhole could leak fuel and cause a fire. The engine warning light may come on first. Dealers check the cars and swap in new fuel delivery pipes at no cost to the owner.[22]
Fuel economy
EPA lists four ratings for this model year, three for the IS 250 and one for the IS 350[23][5][24][25]. The EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new, and all four ratings use premium fuel.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| IS 250 manual (6-speed), rear-wheel drive[23] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 |
| IS 250 automatic (S6), rear-wheel drive[5] | 21 / 29 / 24 | $3,400 |
| IS 250 AWD automatic (S6)[24] | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,750 |
| IS 350 automatic (S6), rear-wheel drive[25] | 18 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 |
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada via NHTSA vPIC, so they can differ slightly from US cars. Sizes were converted to inches and pounds.
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 28 | 0 |
| 2002 | 40 | 0 |
| 2003 | 33 | 0 |
| 2004 | 29 | 0 |
| 2005 | 16 | 0 |
| 2006 | 426 | 16 |
| 2007 | 388 | 11 |
| 2008 | 257 | 11 |
| 2009 | 91 | 10 |
| 2010 | 110 | 9 |
| 2011 | 63 | 7 |
| 2012 | 44 | 5 |
| 2013 | 14 | 4 |
| 2014 | 64 | 4 |
| 2015 | 30 | 3 |
| 2016 | 17 | 0 |
| 2017 | 21 | 2 |
| 2018 | 9 | 1 |
| 2019 | 10 | 2 |
| 2020 | 9 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
The 2008 model year has 257 complaints and 11 recalls on file[2]. Only 2006 (426 complaints) and 2007 (388) have more complaints, out of the 26 model years listed from 2001 to 2026[2]. For recalls, 2006 has 16, and 2007 and 2008 are tied at 11[2].
Later years look quieter on paper. The 2009 model year has 91 complaints and 10 recalls, and 2010 has 110 complaints and 9 recalls[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat this as a rough guide, not a score.
Should you buy a used 2008 Lexus IS?
The 2008 Lexus IS has a busy record. It has one of the larger complaint counts and recall counts among the model years listed[2]. Before buying, ask for proof that every recall was done, especially the air bag inflator and fuel leak recalls[12][13][14][15][16][19][22]. Owners in the samples we read also describe an air bag warning light and a sticky dashboard that dealers did not cover once the warranty ended[3][4]. None of this makes the car a bad choice by itself, but those spots are worth a careful check before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
- What problems does the 2008 Lexus IS have?
- NHTSA lists 257 complaints, with air bags (69), structure (58) and engine (40) the largest groups[1][3][4][6]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe an air bag warning light and a sticky dashboard[3][4].
- How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus IS have?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this model year[2]. They cover air bag inflators, fuel leaks, engine parts, wiper arms and the accelerator pedal, and none is listed as pending[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 257 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Lexus IS (16 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lexus IS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 69 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 58 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for IS 250, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 40 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the speed control component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,954). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 122,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V432, filed June 26, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. 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 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 13V030, filed January 30, 2013: Visibility / Wiper. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V029, filed January 26, 2011: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V309, filed July 6, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V388, filed October 5, 2009: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V020, filed January 16, 2009: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for IS 250, 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for IS 250 AWD, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for IS 350, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS 250 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 180 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,651 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS 250 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 180 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,455 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS 350 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 180 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,527 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IS-F 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 183 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,781 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov