2008 Lexus RX: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10230970 · 2008-06-13 (June 13, 2008)
ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE AFTER ONLY 1000 MILES BECAUSE THE CAR IS TITLED TO THE LEFT AND MISALIGNED. AFTER SIX ATTEMPTS, TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS CAN'T GET THE DEFECTS FIXED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,022 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10480747 · 2012-10-16 (October 16, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FAILURE WOULD TAKE THIRTY DAYS TO COMPLETE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS GIVEN BACK TO HER AFTER THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE MEMORY CARD THAT WAS RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10480747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10511831 · 2013-05-14 (May 14, 2013)
THE WATER PUMP WENT AND WHILE REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION IS LEEKING.....SEEMS EARLY FOR PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS AND MAYBE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511831 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 10553846 · 2013-11-26 (November 26, 2013)
HEAD LIGHT GATHER WATER WHICH CAUSES DIM HEAD LIGHTING . COILED GO OUT AT ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING. LOTS OF CONDENSATION ON THE HID HEADLIGHTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10553846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573152 · 2014-03-18 (March 18, 2014)
MY DASH BOARD CRACKED AND THIS IS A MANUFACTER'S ISSUE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS W/ THE SAME ISSUE & LEXUS DOES NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE. IT CRACKS EVERY WHERE & MELTS BECAUSE OF THE HEAT. OUR CARS ARE WORTH NOTHING W/ THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE CRACKS WHERE THE AIR BAG RESIDES & THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US!!! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10683201 · 2015-02-13 (February 13, 2015)
DASHBOARD STICKY, SHINY AND CRACKED ALL OVER. THE HOOD IS STARTING TO RUST. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10683201 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.