KnownCarProblems2008 Lexus ES Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Lexus ES, most often about the air bags (54% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about ES model year since 2000.
Most common 2008 Lexus ES problems
Air bags
37 complaints · 54%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles.
I was informed by state farm insurance that my 2008 Lexus es350 does not qualify for an airbag discount because they have determined that the airbags are unsafe on this model. I have checked the NHTSA recall database and there are no recalls on this model. What does state farm know that you do not. I do not want to…
My driver side door was hit by someone going approximately 40 MPH as I turned a corner going 5 MPH. The impact threw me approximately 100 feet into a block wall and not one single airbag deployed. My head broke the driver door window....updated 07/30/15
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 16%Driving to work (I'm a registered nurse), the car (on the highway) just started to slow down. It was a blessing that I was coming up on a rest stop. By the time I was able to get over to the exit lane, the steering wheel froze and the brakes stopped working. Pressing as hard as I possibly could, I was able to pull to…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
I noticed the dash board is starting to melt. In the sun it is real sticky. I live in florida and the sun seems to be melting the dash close to the windshield.
I was in stop and go traffic. Bumper to bumper. The car in front moved forward and I pressed the gas pedal 2 seconds and went back to the brake. The engine started to rev up out of control. I pressed on the brake as hard as possible and managed to slow the car but not stop it. I put it in park but the engine continued…
Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 6%Engine
4 complaints · 6%Had to make a hard stop and the brake pedal faded badly. Pedal has become softer over time. Already had to pay to replace faulty designed rear pads and front discs. Lexus has a tsb on the squeaky rear pads but never let US know. It was a replace only if owner complained. 1 pad was badly worn, but the vehicle was out…
I was in stop and go traffic. Bumper to bumper. The car in front moved forward and I pressed the gas pedal 2 seconds and went back to the brake. The engine started to rev up out of control. I pressed on the brake as hard as possible and managed to slow the car but not stop it. I put it in park but the engine continued…
Electrical
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: instrument panel.
Odometer fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Lexus ES 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 153,000. However, a subsequent carfax report revealed that the actual mileage was 245,000.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Lexus ES recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Unwanted acceleration, floor mat
Summary
The driver side floor mat will not interfere with the throttle pedal if properly secured using the retaining hooks provided by toyota.however, if the all weather mat is unsecured and moves forward from its intended position it can entrap the throttle pedal at the fully open position after it has been depressed.this can happen regardless of whether or not another mat (carpet) is underneath.when this occurs, some operators react by applying the brake pedal multiple times, depleting the braking system's (vacuum based) power assist.stopping the vehicle with unassisted braking while the throttle is fully open requires significant pedal force, which some operators did not, or were unable to, apply
Questions about the 2008 Lexus ES
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus ES?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (37 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); other or unspecified (11 complaints); body and structure (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus ES have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Lexus ES. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Lexus ES?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about ES model year since 2000, with 68 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.