2008 Lexus RX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
70 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
114,183 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 70 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 27.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.9% |
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 | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
Engine: 15; Service Brakes: 15; Unknown Or Other: 13; Air Bags: 6; Power Train: 5; Steering: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 9
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 32 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 11; 2020: 11; 2021: 8; 2022: 9; 2023: 4; 2024: 4; 2025: 5; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10208812 · 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN BY DENICA GORDON-MANDEL (WIFE). DRIVER WAS ON TOP FLOOR OF A PARKING GARAGE ADJOINING A DEPARTMENT STORE. DRIVER APPLIED GAS TO PULL INTO PARKING SPACE, THEN DRIVER APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, THEN DRIVER TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE. CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND SLAMMED INTO WALL OF PARKING STRUCTURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10208812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11152275 · 2018-11-18 (November 18, 2018)
MY OIL LINE BURST ON MY LEXUS RX 350 SUV AND CAUSED SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE AS A RESULT. THIS IS A VERY LARGE LEAK WHICH COVERS THE GROUND, ENGINE, AND UNDERCARRIAGE. IF THE OIL LINE RUPTURES WHILE DRIVING, THE LOW ENGINE OIL MESSAGE AND ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNINGS WILL ILLUMINATE (WHICH IT DID NOT, NO WARNING, NO ILLUMINATION OF LIGHTS) AND WILL RESULT IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION.THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS AHEAD OF TIME AND THEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF AT THE SAME TIME WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE TO START THE CAR, …
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11152275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10546269 · 2013-09-30 (September 30, 2013)
AS OF THIS DATE, THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT OR FAILURE TO THE STEERING RACK ON THIS CAR. HOWEVER, WHEN THE CAR WAS IN THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THERE IS A LEAKAGE OF FLUID FROM THE STEERING RACK BOOT AND IF LEFT UN-REPAIRED IT WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. WHAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION MORE WAS THEIR STATEMENT THAT THIS SHOULD BE/HAVE BEEN A RECALL AS IT IS A PROBLEM ON THE LEXUS RX350 SPANNING SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. I DON'T KNOW IF BY "RECALL" THEY MEANT A VOLUNTARY …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,848 miles reported. Look up ODI 10546269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10875568 · 2016-06-21 (June 21, 2016)
AFTER MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT OF EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, THE CAR BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 136,000 MILES, WHICH IS NOT MANY FOR THE QUALITY USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE LEXUS BRAND. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE, BUT ARE CHARGING ME ALMOST $5,700 TO REPLACE IT. I ASKED LEXUS CORPORATE TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS REPAIR, DUE TO THE KNOWN TRANSMISSION ISSUES ON MANY RX MODELS, BUT THEY DECLINED. THE VEHICLE ALMO…
Owner-reported narrative. 136,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10875568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448602 · 2022-01-24 (January 24, 2022)
2020 Had to replace transmission at 90,000 miles. In Sept. 2021 - Window seals are melting all over the windows. Will have to get them all replaced as a driving hazzard to even see out the windows. Now the tinting is coming off from the windows sticking.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11329818 · 2020-06-20 (June 20, 2020)
ON JUNE 3RD, 2020 I GOT MY 2008 LEXUS RX 350 SERVICED FOR 115,000 MILE SERVICE AT JOHNSON LEXUS OF RALEIGH. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED RELIGIOUSLY AT THE SAME DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2008. IT COST ABOUT $250, ON JUNE 13TH I NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL UNDER THE CAR. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN MORE THAN 50 MILES AFTER SERVICE. THE ENGINE HAD A STRANGE SOUND. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL IN THE ENGINE AND THERE WAS NO OIL AT ALL.THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE SE…
Owner-reported narrative. 114,366 miles reported. Look up ODI 11329818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352024 · 2020-08-29 (August 29, 2020)
DASHBOARD CHECK ENGINE, CAR SKID LINES WONT SHUT OFF. ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WHEN CAR IS STOPPED TRIED TO TURN OFF LIGHTS. WOULD NOT GO OUT. NOT FLASHING LIGHTSS ON DASHBOARD. STABLE LIGHT NOT GOING OUT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11352024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11112447 · 2018-07-19 (July 19, 2018)
I HAVE REGULARLY MAINTAINED MY LEXUS RX AT AN INDEPENDENT LEXUS SHOP. WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED/RUNNING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING NOISE OR DASHBOARD ALERT, STOPPED. AFTER THE CAR FAILED TO RESTART, I SUSPECTED IT NEEDED A BATTERY JUMP. HOWEVER AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, THE CAR STILL DID NOT START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LEXUS SHOP-DAVENPORT, WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT VALVE SPRINGS HAD DROPPED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE/LOCK. THE SHOP NOTIFIED ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO EITHER GET A NEW ENGINE OR HAVE IT REP…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11112447 at NHTSA ↗