KnownCarProblems2008 Lexus ES350 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 255 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Lexus ES350, most often about the air bags (67% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about ES350 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Lexus ES350 problems
Air bags
170 complaints · 67%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window, on-off switch assembly.
Takata recall. I am filing this complaint because the amount of time taken by takata and Lexus is in excess of the amount of time that should be allowed for this kind of safety matter. I submitted a written request to the dealer, westside Lexus, houston, tx. And have made several phone calls, including one today, in…
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus ES350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.…
Speed control
39 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 19,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
On october 1, 2009 my 2008 Lexus es 350 experienced uncontrolled acceleration. Upon entering the highway the vehicle increased in speed to approx. 90 MPH without depressing the accelerator. The vehicle did not stop or slow down even after stepping forcefully on the brakes. I pushed the start/stop button on the…
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus es 350. While driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle began to accelerate without intention. After repeated brake application, the vehicle started to decelerate. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure and current mileages…
Body and structure
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The passenger side window glass popped out while my wife was driving this car to school to drop off our kids. It did startle her because of the noise. She was alert enough and any accident was avoided. I got the car checked out by a Lexus dealer and they said that it was due to a faulty plastic tab that broke and the…
The dashboard of the vehicle has become very sticky, melting, in the heat with small pieces of the dashboard falling off. Driving in the daylight compromises driver safety due to the glare in the windshield from the wet shiny look of the dashboard in front of the driver reflecting into the drivers field of vision.…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 4%The passage window glass pop out and felt inside. I took it to the deal and they are charging 850 to fix it. Very expensive car a window falling off
The top of the dash is sticky, almost like it's melting, causing a shiny glare to reflect off the bash and windshield making it difficult to see, especially in direct sunlight. Ive owned the car since 2010 and it's steadily worsened overtime. It became an immediate safety concern back in march as the weather became…
Electrical
9 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
While driving on the highway at 60 miles / h my driverside window suddenly fell down which seriously distracted me and which almost resulted in a collision with another car. Feedback from Lexus is that the plastic tabs that hold the window disintegrate over time and as a result the entire window will need to be…
My passenger side front window will not roll up properly. Apparently the plastic clip broke off and the entire window has to be replaced. This is definitely a defect by Lexus. I have seen a lot of complaints online about this. Lexus is charging 700 dollars to fix. I will not buy another Lexus or recommend one to…
Engine
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system.
While entering my garage, my car suddenly accelerated and smashed into the rear wall destroying a cabinet and refridgerator and went through the wall. I couldn't stop the car as evidenced by brake skid marks on the garage floor. Lexus later inspected the car and claimed they could find no defect. Fortunately my wife…
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that there was fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the was an oil leak and advised her that there was a manufacturer's recall for the failure. The vehicle was repaired free of…
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear.
While stopping for gas, tried to raise window to wash it and it came off track. Tried again and still off track. Managed to get it raised and in closed position but now the same thing will happen again as soon as I try to lower it.
The passenger side window glass popped out while my wife was driving this car to school to drop off our kids. It did startle her because of the noise. She was alert enough and any accident was avoided. I got the car checked out by a Lexus dealer and they said that it was due to a faulty plastic tab that broke and the…
Steering
4 complaints · 2%I bought one Lexus (toyota) es 350 last november with about 3,500 miles (currently 8,200miles). Recently, I found front wheel on the right side could not be recovered to straight position (steering also). I took my car to Lexus dealer in peoria, il, but they talked me that the issues happen because your car hit holes…
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus ES350. While driving approxiamtely 60 MPH, the anti-lock brake system and check engine warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. A sudden loss of steering control occurred, and the vehicle crashed into the guard rail. The vehicle exterior body and headlights sustained…
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 ES350 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4runner, 2003-2006 tundra, 2003-2013 corolla, 2009-2010 corolla matrix, 2004-2005 rav4, 2002-2007 sequoia, 2011-2013 sienna, 2008-2012 scion xb, 2008-2009 lexus is-f, 2007-2012 yaris and lexus es350, 2010-2017 lexus gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota, scion and lexus owners. General motors will contact the pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on february 1, 2017. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are g0p (toyota zone a), g0r (toyota zone b), h0a (toyota zone c), glg (lexus zone a), glh (lexus zone b) and hla (lexus zone c).
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2012 toyota 4runner, corolla, corolla matrix, sienna, yaris, scion xb, lexus es350, gx460, is-f, is250, is350, is250c, is350c, and lexus lfa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, toyota is recalling certain 2009 toyota corolla, corolla matrix, yaris, yaris hb, scion xb, pontiac vibe, lexus, es350, is250, is350, and is-f vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsy
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota and lexus owners. General motors will contact the pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on december 6, 2016. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are g1p (toyota zone a), g1r (toyota zone b), g2g (lexus zone a), and g2h (lexus zone b). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are g0p (toyota zone a), g0r (toyota zone b), glg (lexus zone a), and glh (le
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 scion xb and lexus is f, 2009-2011 toyota corolla and corolla matrix, 2006-2011 toyota yaris, lexus is250 and lexus is350, 2010-2011 toyota 4runner, lexus is250c, lexus is350c and lexus gx460, 2011 sienna, 2007-2011 lexus es350, and 2009-2010 pontiac vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 scion xb and lexus is f, 2007-2008 toyota yaris, 2006-2008 lexus is250 and lexus is350 and 2007-2008 lexus es350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, distric
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
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
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
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 ES350
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus ES350?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (170 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); speed control (39 complaints, typically around 19,000 miles); body and structure (12 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus ES350 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Lexus ES350?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about ES350 model year since 2000, with 255 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.