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2008 Lexus RX Hybrid Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid, most often about the speed control (33% of complaints, typically around 32,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about RX Hybrid model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid problems
Speed control
19 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 32,500 miles.
I was coming back from my first oil change from crown Lexus dealer. I was pulling into a parking space and the car would not stop even when my foot is on the brake. I tried to steer away from the concrete wall in front but the front left side still hit the wall. The car was damaged and the wall is damaged. The cost of…
I was driving a Lexus rx 400h in a parking lot. When I turned left into the parking spot and engaged the brakes while pulling into the parking spot. At that time, I felt the car continue to accelerate and ended up hitting and going over the parking cement curb and the car stopped between the curb and the sidewalk…
Brakes
19 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
I recently purchased (07/17/12) a 2008 used rx400h, I quickly noticed that while braking if the road has any bumps or unevenness the vehicle surges forward during the braking process and then resumes braking after the surge. This happens consistently when there are any bumps in the pavement. This is very frightening…
While attempting to back into a parking space, accelerator stuck in down position, brakes locked up, engine accelerated to very fast rate, steering would not respond resulting in my car slamming into front end of car parked behind me at a high rate of speed. My car then accelerated forward continuing at a very high…
Electrical
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery.
I was driving at 70 MPH on us290. Without warning, the engine suddenly shut down and the dashboard display went blank (except for the navigation system). I was unable to restart the car. There was a message to check the acv system. I tightened the gas tank cap and was able to restart. A complete shutdown without…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Lexus rx400h. While driving 25 MPH and applying the brakes the lack of electricity in the battery caused the contact to apply excessive pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. Within minutes the brakes began to function normally since the battery recharged by pumping the…
Steering
5 complaints · 9%I drive a 2008 Lexus rx400h. I experienced a serious electric power steering failure, which caused me to loose control of the car while driving. On oct 15, 2009, I drove my car on the freeway without incident. Later that day, I parked my Lexus rx vehicle, and in doing so I turned the steering wheel to the right "lock'…
While turning into parking lot from road bumped the right front tire into curb at approx 4 MPH. Power steering immediately ceased to function. Told by toyota mechanic that a high voltage power spike destroyed the power steering computer. Paid $1050 for replacement of power steering computer. Does this mean a pothole…
Service Brakes, Electric
3 complaints · 5%Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) *year: 2008 * make: Lexus * model: rx400h * component: the hybrid braking systems * VIN: [] * component -- the 2008 Lexus rx400h hybrid braking systems does not work properly. When the vehicle goes over a small road depression…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: windshield, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Noted HVAC dust in 2008 rx400h consistent with Lexus tsb l-sb-0128-11 and a faulty evaporator. This vehicle is not listed in the tsb but this is a common concern and discussion thread in the Lexus owners forum. Some people are reporting respiratory reactions to the dust.
For no known reason, front windshield cracked. No visible marks that glass could have been hit by rock or any hard particle. Crack starts 8 inches from top passenger side and propagates across center of windshield toward drivers side. Manufacturer denied claim for replacement stating mileage beyond warranty period.
Engine
3 complaints · 5%Noted HVAC dust in 2008 rx400h consistent with Lexus tsb l-sb-0128-11 and a faulty evaporator. This vehicle is not listed in the tsb but this is a common concern and discussion thread in the Lexus owners forum. Some people are reporting respiratory reactions to the dust.
A moment of terror in my Lexus 2008 rx400h on may 01 I was driving home from work. On busy route 111 in nh. In heavy traffic I lost all power. All the lights on the instrument panel went on. It was almost a multicar pileup. With screeching tires and cars making panic stops it was a wonder that nobody was hurt.
Body and structure
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: body.
For no known reason, front windshield cracked. No visible marks that glass could have been hit by rock or any hard particle. Crack starts 8 inches from top passenger side and propagates across center of windshield toward drivers side. Manufacturer denied claim for replacement stating mileage beyond warranty period.
Car was being pulled into space in restaurant parking lot -- space was on grass up a slight incline (approximately 12 inches) -- as car was moving up the incline a small bump was felt under the car and the car suddenly accelerated and continued to accelerate -- brakes were applied immediately but were unable to stop…
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 RX Hybrid recalls
Hybrid system: inverter
Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ipm free of charge. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their ipm replaced under recall 11v-342 are not affected by this campaign.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured february 16, 2005, through july 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured february 23, 2005, through december 2, 2008. The intelligent power module (ipm) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
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
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (19 complaints, typically around 32,500 miles); brakes (19 complaints, typically around 52,500 miles); electrical (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 4, 2013 (hybrid 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 RX Hybrid?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about RX Hybrid model year since 2000, with 57 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.