2008 Lexus RX problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Lexus RX, most often about brakes. There are 0 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Median mileage
138,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 15 of 44 complaints (34%).
  • Engine (7) and airbags (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 138,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 3 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury.
  • It ranks 8th of 22 Lexus RX model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 47% more complaints than the 2007 model year (30).

2008 Lexus RX problems by category

  • Brakes
    15 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    8 complaints
  • Engine
    7 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Electrical System
    4 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    2 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Service brakes14
Unknown or other8
Engine7
Air bags5
Visibility/wiper3
Power train2
Structure:interior panels:dashboard2
Electrical system:instrument panel:speedometer/odometer2

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k9100k–150k6150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2008 Lexus RX complaints that list mileage.

2008 Lexus RX recalls (0)

No recalls on file.

Recent 2008 Lexus RX complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Aug 5, 2026ALLightingOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    1. Ignition System: While driving the key in the ignition lock came out loose! Exremely frightened and managed to pull the car over to a driveway. But, the car could NOT be stoped using the key fob. Key will not work to stop the engine. Very unusual and unexpected incidence. 2. Lighting system switch: Suddenly the knob of the light switch came out loose with a plastic shaft and will not turn on the light. Very unsafe while driving and it became dark due to storm and rain,…
    NHTSA complaint #11754996 · source
  2. Filed Jun 13, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    Dear Sir or Madam. My name is [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] living in [XXX]. I bought my 2008 Lexus RX400h car, used, in 2014 at a non-Lexus dealership in the [XXX] where I used to live. My Lexus VIN is: [XXX]. I've been satisfied with the car..until today. The car had been running smoothly forever, and this morning while I was driving I came to a stop (red light) and the car suddenly shut down completely, including the loss of lights, and the whole dashboard went dark. Other cars…
    NHTSA complaint #11743901 · source
  3. Filed Apr 15, 2026VABrakes
    While trying to leave my driveway my brakes went out almost causing me to go through a pasture fence. On the dash board popped up ABS and VSC warning. Now the module and regulator is making a horrible sound. And clicks
    NHTSA complaint #11731465 · source
  4. Filed Aug 21, 2025278,000 miNYElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Lexus RX 350. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 114,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Owner’s Title was 265,000 based on a Carfax Report. After speaking to the son of the former owner, the contact was informed that the last known mileage was 278,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11682165 · source
  5. Filed Jul 18, 2025NCCrashVisibility & Wipers
    While driving my 2008 Lexus RX 350 on a hot day, the gum-like material from the interior door trim began to peel and smear across the inside of the driver’s side window as the window was rolled down. This completely obscured my view of the side mirror and rear surroundings, causing a sudden and dangerous loss of visibility. As a result, I was unable to see a nearby vehicle and collided with it while changing lanes. This appears to be a design flaw in the materials used in…
    NHTSA complaint #11674509 · source
  6. Filed Jul 3, 2025211,000 miNJElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while obtaining a Carfax report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 124,000. The contact stated that after obtaining the Carfax report, it was discovered that the mileage was 211,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11671076 · source
  7. Filed May 8, 2025GABrakes
    The dealer is aware this vehicle has a brake actuator problem,and when I contacted them to see if it had a recall for this specific problem,I was told to call Lexus Corporate to get them to honor the repairs at their cost.They told me they would not repair the car at their cost because the Extended Warranty support program ended 4-28-2018.This is a very unsafe problem and they should honor the repair free of cost to the consumer
    NHTSA complaint #11659670 · source
  8. Filed Jan 14, 2025NYEngine
    Vvt-I oil line failure. Limited service campaign ended in Dec 2021. No notice sent, no repairs suggested at the dealership within the eligible period. Vvt-I failed and engine lost all oil in minutes while driving, coating the front passenger brake caliper and rendering the breaking dangerously difficult on the passenger side on the highway.
    NHTSA complaint #11635792 · source

Compare the 2008 Lexus RX with another vehicle →

Other 2008 Lexus models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology