2008 Lexus RX HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 49 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 57 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 34 | 59.6% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 8.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 7.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 3 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 10; Service Brakes: 8; Steering: 5; Electrical System: 4; Air Bags: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Service Brakes, Electric: 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 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 20; 2011: 4; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 6; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 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 10243508 · 2008-09-26 (September 26, 2008)
UNPROVOKED VEHICLE ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP A CURB, HIT A TREE AND LAND ON THE HOOD OF A VEHICLE PARKED ACROSS FROM THE SUBJECT PARKING SPACE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293889 · 2009-11-29 (November 29, 2009)
I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON US290. WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY WENT BLANK (EXCEPT FOR THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM). I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. THERE WAS A MESSAGE TO CHECK THE ACV SYSTEM. I TIGHTENED THE GAS TANK CAP AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 18,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10298735 · 2010-01-08 (January 8, 2010)
I WAS COMING BACK FROM MY FIRST OIL CHANGE FROM CROWN LEXUS DEALER. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP EVEN WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. I TRIED TO STEER AWAY FROM THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT BUT THE FRONT LEFT SIDE STILL HIT THE WALL. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED AND THE WALL IS DAMAGED. THE COST OF THE DAMAGED IS 9,000-10,000. RIGHT NOW IS BEING FIXED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MODEL OF THE CAR IS LEXUS RX400H YEAR 2008. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 27,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10302442 · 2010-01-26 (January 26, 2010)
I WAS DRIVING A LEXUS RX 400H IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I TURNED LEFT INTO THE PARKING SPOT AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT. AT THAT TIME, I FELT THE CAR CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AND ENDED UP HITTING AND GOING OVER THE PARKING CEMENT CURB AND THE CAR STOPPED BETWEEN THE CURB AND THE SIDEWALK AFTER I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND SAID THEY COULD NOT REPEAT THE INCIDENT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 23,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302442 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10304141 · 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND JUMP THE CURB AND DESTROYED THE FENCE OF A HOTEL. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. HE HAD TO PUT THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY RAN INTO A FENCE AND DID $10,000 OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPD…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10304141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10304395 · 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX 400H. WHENEVER THE CONTACT APPLIES THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING OVER A ROUGH SURFACE THE BRAKES WILL DISENGAGE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO STILL MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DAY SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16000.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10304395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10305451 · 2010-02-04 (February 4, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE LACK OF ELECTRICITY IN THE BATTERY CAUSED THE CONTACT TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WITHIN MINUTES THE BRAKES BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY SINCE THE BATTERY RECHARGED BY PUMPING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND BOTH TIMES THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM COULD CAUSE A CRASH …
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10305665 · 2010-02-04 (February 4, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S ON AND LUNGE FORWARD WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE MALFUNCTION SHOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SWITCHING FROM AN ELECTRICAL ENGINE TO A GASOLINE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305665 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V396000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
Reported: 2013-09-04 (September 4, 2013)
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.
NHTSA campaign record ↗