2008 Lexus GS 350: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10307696 · 2010-02-09 (February 9, 2010)
MY 2008 LEXUS GS350 IS ONE OF, APPARENTLY, MANY LEXUS MODELS THAT HAVE NO CAMBER ADJUSTMENT CAPABILITY FRONT OR REAR RENDERING WHEELS TO PROGRESS TO THE POINT OF MISALIGNMENT THAT EXCESSIVE INSIDE TIRE WEAR OCCURS AND CANNOT BE CORRECTED. THIS TIRE WEAR LEFT UNNOTICED, DUE TO ITS CONCEALMENT FROM VIEW ON THE INSIDE PORTION OF THE TIRE, IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE TIRES CAN WEAR UNNOTICED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. MY GS350, THAT I BOUGHT NEW, 1/25/08, HAS BOTH RIGHTSIDE WHEELS OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH NO WAY TO ACHIEVE PROPER …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10307696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10344381 · 2010-07-20 (July 20, 2010)
2008 LEXUS GS350. CONSUMER STATES SUDDEN ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, UNTIL SHE IS REASSURED THERE IS NO ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10344381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10375393 · 2011-01-10 (January 10, 2011)
LEXUS GS350 TIRE WEAR. PRIOR TO 40000 MILES, FRONT TIRES SHOWED WEAR ON INSIDE EDGES. VEH. ALIGNED, TIRE WEAR CONTINUED. AT 46000 MILES TIRES WORN DOWN BEYOND WEAR INDICATORS ON INSIDE EDGES ONLY. REPLACED TIRES, ALIGNMENT CHECKED. LEXUS ADVISED THAT ALIGNMENT WAS NOT BAD. SO WHY ARE THE TIRES WEARING OUT ON THE INSIDE AREAS? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10375393 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378860 · 2011-01-26 (January 26, 2011)
FROM THE TIME THE 2008 LEXUS GS, LABOR DAY 2008, WAS OBTAINED I HAD PROBLEMS SEEING AT NIGHT ON A DARK ROAD, HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE. UNLESS THE BRIGHTS ARE ON THERE IS A BLACK WALL IN FRONT OF THE AREA WHERE THE LIGHT BEAMS STOP. I OVERDRIVE THE LIGHTED AREA AND DRIVE INTO THE BLACK NIGHT. THE BRIGHTS NEED TO BE ON TO SEE-WHICH IS A DANGER AND ANNOYANCE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE OCTOBER 2008. THE LATEST DATE BEING JANUARY 2011. LEXUS TELLS ME THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED AS HIGH AS THEY CAN GO. I ASKED FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10389785 · 2011-03-10 (March 10, 2011)
LEXUS GS350 IN GENERAL IS PRETTY A GOOD CAR BUT I ALWAYS HAVING PROBLEM WITH LEXUS DEALER( WESTSIDE LEXUS IN HOUSTON TX). WHENEVER I BRING MY CONCERNS OR SHOW THEM THE PROBLEMS, THEY WILL PRETEND OR REFUSE TO FIX UNTIL THEY SEE THE PROBLEM BY THEMSELVES. FIRST WAS MY BACKUP CAMERA FLICKERING AND NOW MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM IS ACTING UP AND IT'S A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. SOME TIME IT GOES DIM AND COMPLETELY TURNS OFF BY ITSELF AND I WILL NEED TO TURN OFF AND ON THE SWITCH FOR IT TO WORK. I EVEN GOT A CHANCE TO TAKE PICTURES AND RECORD VIDEO CLIP TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10389785 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 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 ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V309000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2010-07-06 (July 6, 2010)
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2008 LEXUS PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 26, 2005 THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2008. MICRO-FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE MATERIAL OF THE VALVE SPRING MAY DEGRADE THE STRENGTH OF THE VALVE SPRING, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE SPRING TO BREAK.
Consequence: THE ENGINE COULD FAIL AND STOP SUDDENLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V395000 · Engine
Reported: 2013-09-04 (September 4, 2013)
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 vehicles manufactured June 19, 2006, through July 12, 2011; and model year 2006-2011 Lexus IS350 vehicles manufactured May 27, 2005, through July 13, 2011; and model year 2010-2011 Lexus IS350c vehicles manufactured November 25, 2009, through July 19, 2011. These vehicles, equipped with the 2GR-FSE engine, use bolts to secure the housing and sprocket of the Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) system gear assembly. These bolts could become loose due to abnormal impacts generated within the gear assembly immediately after a cold start-up.
Consequence: The loose bolts could cause the VVT gear housing and sprocket to separate and result in the engine stopping while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the VVT unit free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V647000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2014-10-15 (October 15, 2014)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V432000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
Reported: 2018-06-26 (June 26, 2018)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 and GS450h, 2006-2013 Lexus IS350 and 2010-2014 Lexus IS350C vehicles, equipped with 3.5L V6 2GR-FSE gasoline engines. The diaphragms in the fuel pulsation dampers may harden over time and develop cracks, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new pipe that has improved pulsation dampers, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is JLF.
NHTSA campaign record ↗