2008 Lexus GS 350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
64,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 19 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 26.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Engine: 6; Exterior Lighting: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Suspension: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5 |
2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10262694 · 2009-03-22 (March 22, 2009)
2008 ES 350 SURGE --AS I WAS GLIDING (NO ACCELERATION) INTO MY PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF MY TOWN HOME, MY CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD, JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO MY BRICK TOWN HOME. I APPLIED MY TO THE BRAKES, AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD. I CALLED MY LEXUS DEALER WHO SAID "THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE AND COULD NEVER HAPPEN AND YOU JUST ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL" . I DID NOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD PICTURES TAKEN OF THE CRASH, WROTE A LETTER TO LEXUS OF NORTH AMERCIA STATING AND REQUESTING A DIFFERENT ES 350 (IT IS A LEASED CAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10464803 · 2012-07-09 (July 9, 2012)
I HAVE HAD MY LEXUS FOR SINCE 7/2009 IN NOV 2010 AND FEB 2011 I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR SEVERAL WHEEL ALIGNMENTS (FRT AND BACK) BY THE DEALERSHIP IN CERRITOS, CA. . I HAVE HAD MY TIRE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES AND ROTATED THEM REGULARLY. OAKHAMA TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND HAVE NOW DECIDED TO GO WITH BRIDESTONE TIRE TO LOWER MY EXPENSES. I DO DRIVE ALOT BUT DO NOT DRIVE FREEWAY ON A DAILY BASIS TO AND FROM WORK, BUT DO DRIVE FREEWAY IN MANY OCCASIONS. . THE SUSPENSION CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RT AND TIRES CONTINUE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10464803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10887347 · 2016-07-21 (July 21, 2016)
HEY I DID RECALL FOR MY CAR AFTER ONE MONTHS LATER ENGINE WAS STALL IN MOTION. PERSON WHO MAKE INVESTIGATION FROM HEADQUARTERS LEXUS THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WHIT CAR AND AFTER RECALL HE TELLING ME MY CAR VIN NUMBER SHOWED ITS ENGINE NO RECALLS. MY WIFE SHE DROVE THIS CAR WHIT MY KIDS . THANK NOTHING HAPPEN. IN MY OPINION DELEAR LEXUS TRI COUNTY FROM NEW JERSEY THEY NOT FIXED MY ENGINE LIKE THEY SHOULD AND AFTER ONE MONTHS ENGINE BROKE- I MAKE RECALL FOR THIS. THIS CAR HAVE SAFETY ISSUE. THEY KEEP MY CAR 3 WEEKS AND THEY CAN'T TEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10887347 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111348 · 2018-07-14 (July 14, 2018)
TAKATA RECALL. WHEN DRIVING THE 2008 LEXUS GS 350 4DR SEDAN STALLS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, IT IS UNCONTROLABLE. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN I'M AT A RED LIGHT AND MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND I PRESS MY FOOT GRADUALLY ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN. THEN CAR WILL STALL FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 MINTUES, THEN WILL INCREASE IN SPEED. IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE, WHEN I NEED TO TURN AND THE CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN IT WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT TO OCCUR. OR WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION GOING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY OR AN INTERSECTION IT COULD STALL,…
Owner-reported narrative. 172,299 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10512438 · 2013-05-16 (May 16, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS GS350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WENT DOWNHILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED CONCUSSIONS AND SOFT TISSUE INJURIES ALTHOUGH THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR D…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10512438 at NHTSA ↗