KnownCarProblems2008 Lexus IS Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Lexus IS, most often about the other or unspecified (24% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about IS model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2008 Lexus IS problems
Other or unspecified
24 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
Affected parts: -- dashboard & all 4 interior door panels -- my 2008 Lexus IS suffers from a well known issue among Lexus owners in southern states. The dashboard and interior door panels become almost playdoh like under normal use of the car. My dashboard IS extremely melted to the point that it becomes mirror-like…
My son came home from college and said his dashboard was "sticky" and that it IS becoming a nuisance for him to drive. We tried to clean it, but it cannot be cleaned. The dash IS covered with various debris that collects and sticks to it. I then went online to see if anyone had similar problems. I found that toyota…
Engine
23 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles.
In august 2012 my car's engine light and vsc light came on. I took the car to the dealer and they found multiple misfires. The dealer replaced the gasket and 3 pistons and ring sets under warranty. My car engine has continued to intermittently shudder when moving and when idling at stop lights. Today (1/3/17) I was…
I took my car to the local dealer for the carbon buildup recall in the motor. They rebuilt parts of the internal motor. After they rebuilt the motor for carbon build up, my engine light started to light up for bad catalytic converter. I told them that the light never showed up before and could've went bad from all of…
Body and structure
22 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
The dash board starting getting worse day by day getting extremely sticky and starting to have melt spots causing a huge glare when I'm driving. I know this IS a big problem on a lot of Lexus IS owner 06-12. I use the wind shield visor all the time and never wipe with chemical.
The dashboard melting when the vehicle was in motion and stationary. Melting dashboard creates a glare in the windshield and makes it impossible to see when driving during the day. Additionally, toxic fumes from melting dashboard make it difficult to breathe when driving.
Air bags
21 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 101,500 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
Received notice of recall with no remedy, telling me not to operate vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat, this IS impossible with 3 children and this IS only car. They need to provide me a loaner vehicle until they have a remedy. I need immediate solution
Takata recall I am in zone b and my car IS approaching its ten year mark. I took my car in today and asked the sales assistant if there were any updates about the airbag recall and he told me, "no". What IS supposed to save me in an accident can now kill me. I am very disappointed in the amount of time this has taken…
Visibility and wipers
13 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices.
It happened on two occasions. I was driving and decided to roll down my passenger window. I normally keep it closed. After a while, decided to close it and rolled up but it overshoot the window frame, that the glass almost fell off. I had to stopped and manually push it back in. I successfully rolled it up and kept it…
The dashboard melting when the vehicle was in motion and stationary. Melting dashboard creates a glare in the windshield and makes it impossible to see when driving during the day. Additionally, toxic fumes from melting dashboard make it difficult to breathe when driving.
Fuel system
7 complaints · 7%Strong gas order in cabin when starting car after warm. No visible gas leaks, but can smell under hood. There has been recalls for this. Report receipt date: 2014-10-15 NHTSA campaign: 14v647000 manufacture: toyota motor engineering & manufacturing they say there are no recalls on my vehicle, Lexus says they could not…
Ever since I had this car, I always had the constant problem of a weird engine smell of rotten eggs, it overheats out of nowhere constantly after multiple repairs and maintenance paid out of pocket. It would shut off while driving anywhere. These are just some of the receipts.
Electrical
6 complaints · 6%Over time, airbag wiring harness becomes loose and/or disconnected, causing airbag light to illuminate and disabling one or more airbags in the event of a crash. Lexus dealers confirm the problem but will not fix without costly payment. .....updated 12/03/15
It happened on two occasions. I was driving and decided to roll down my passenger window. I normally keep it closed. After a while, decided to close it and rolled up but it overshoot the window frame, that the glass almost fell off. I had to stopped and manually push it back in. I successfully rolled it up and kept it…
Transmission
5 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 123,000 miles.
Ever since I had this car, I always had the constant problem of a weird engine smell of rotten eggs, it overheats out of nowhere constantly after multiple repairs and maintenance paid out of pocket. It would shut off while driving anywhere. These are just some of the receipts.
When coming to a stop or when at a stop, my car would shake very hard as if it was going to turn off. Fortunately, it never has. I would have to put the car into neutral to stop the shaking or it would stop on it's own after 10-15 seconds. During this time, no lights have ever turned on to indicate there was a…
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 recalls
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for fuel leakage from the threaded portion of the fuel pressure sensor and if a fuel leak is not confirmed, dealers will further tighten the fuel pressure sensor with the proper torque. If a fuel leak is confirmed, the gasket between the sensor and the fuel deliver pipe will be replaced with a new one, and the sensor will be tightened with the proper torque. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 7, 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 lexus is and model year 2006-2007 lexus gs vehicles. Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to an engine fuel delivery pipe with nickel phosphorus plating, there is a possibility that, over time, the pressure sensor could loosen. If loosening occurs, fuel could leak past a gasket used in the connection between the sensor and the pipe and through the threaded portion of the sensor.
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Over time, the corrosion may create a pinhole resulting in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during february 2009. Owners may contact toyota/lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling 214,570 my 2006-2008 lexus is, my 2006-2007 gs and my 2007-2008 ls passenger vehicles equipped with aluminum fuel delivery pipes (fuel rails). Ethanol fuels with a low moisture content will corrode the internal surface of the fuel rails. As this condition progresses, the engine malfunction indicator light may illuminate.
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.
Questions about the 2008 Lexus IS
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus IS?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (24 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); engine (23 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles); body and structure (22 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus IS have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 26, 2011 (fuel system). 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?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about IS model year since 2000, with 102 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.