KnownCarProblems2008 Lexus IS 250 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 125 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Lexus IS 250, most often about the air bags (30% of complaints, typically around 93,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about IS 250 model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2008 Lexus IS 250 problems
Air bags
38 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles.
My complaint is in regard to the service bulletin no.: lsb-0167-08 component(s): air bags , electrical system. This service bulletin is a solid proof that a certain models of Lexus vehicles have a defected airbag system components. Yet, for the unlucky owners of these models who experienced this problem only after the…
During maintenance at dealer was informed that air bag warning light on dash will require replacement wire harness. Dealer informed me that it cannot be serviced and only option was to replace this expensive component. With current mileage on vehicle of 95k this was only covered up to 7year or 70k miles. No service…
Body and structure
29 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Received "warranty enhancement notification - zld" from Lexus in late 2014. It offered replacement dash and door panels due to sticky and melting. My dash has melted so badly it shines in my eyes like a mirror. So far I have brought car to dealer 2 times, called 6 times and still no parts in stock to repair problem.…
I have noticed over the past 2 years my dash slowly getting shinier and more sticky to the touch. I have tried using quality car plastic/vinyl cleaners to resolve the issue but to no avail. In fact, the dash is so sticky that using a cloth to clean it causes fibers to adhere to the dash. The safety concern is that the…
Engine
15 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Cam gear problems. When start the engine, there was a rattle sound for a second, this problem had been recall for Lexus is350 but not is250!!!!! And there are thousands of is250 owners complaint the same problem as is350, this problem may stop the engine while running, which is very dangerous. Here is the link for…
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS 250. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The dealer diagnosed that there was buildup in the piston that needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact received…
Speed control
12 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
I like to report an incident of a possible manufacture malfunction on my 2008 Lexus is250. The incident happened on 4/29/2010. I was first stopped for red light in the neutral gear. As I was ready to move forward on green light, I switched the automatic transmission to "drive," however the car just accelerated…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Lexus is250. The contact was driving approximately 2 MPH into a parking space. The vehicle surged over a sidewalk and came to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and then transported to an authorized dealer to be repaired. The failure and current mileages were…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles.
The "vsc" warning light has been coming on and staying on since november 2017. I have read that many Lexus IS 250 cars are having the same issue. The car seems to be driving fine for now but there has to be a reason for the warning light. If so many other cars have this issue, I'm wondering if it's a manufacture…
Cam gear problems. When start the engine, there was a rattle sound for a second, this problem had been recall for Lexus is350 but not is250!!!!! And there are thousands of is250 owners complaint the same problem as is350, this problem may stop the engine while running, which is very dangerous. Here is the link for…
Visibility and wipers
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices.
Dashboard starts to get really shiny and sticky when the car is out in the sun, either driving or when parked. After temperature in the car and on the dash return to a more moderate temperature, the dashboard is no longer shiny, but it is tacky. Problem is when the dashboard is out in the sun and it gets shiny. This…
I have complained about the melting and stickiness of my dashboard and door panels already but no resolution have taken place by the Lexus or manufacturer. I have called the service department over 9x's and very seldom I have gotten an answer or a call back. Know the dashboard is so shiny, you can't drive it due to an…
Electrical
8 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: wiring.
I brought my car in for service on 9/10 and had my brake booster and water pump replaced. I was out of town following that and did not drive my car much. On 9/21, I got into my car and the navigation screen was not working. It displays correctly and the backup camera works but it is unresponsive to my touch. I cannot…
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated the touch screen navigation system failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage were 80,000.
Fuel system
8 complaints · 6%The contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that fuel leaked and the fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the…
After having the car I started getting the feel as if the car wanted to cut off each time I came to a stop. There was vibration with in the motor as it seemed. I contacted the dealership and they advise there was a issue with my model with the motor system with the vibration. They fixed the issue so I thought but as…
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 IS 250 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
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began march 3, 2015. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 lexus ls vehicles manufactured may 9, 2006, to july 20, 2010, 2006-2011 lexus gs vehicles manufactured january 6, 2005, to september 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 lexus is vehicles manufactured august 30, 2005, to september 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
Visibility and wipers: visibility/wiper
Risk: Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on april 4, 2013. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 vehicles manufactured august 23, 2005, through october 5, 2011; 2010-2012 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles manufactured april 10, 2009, through october 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 lexus is-f vehicles manufactured december 14, 2007, through july 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.
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
Questions about the 2008 Lexus IS 250
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus IS 250?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (38 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles); body and structure (29 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); engine (15 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus IS 250 have?
- 5 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 IS 250?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about IS 250 model year since 2000, with 125 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.