YearToAvoid

2008 Lexus ES350 Engine Problems

NHTSA has 44 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Lexus ES350, 17% of all 255 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest engine complaint count among 17 ES350 model years. These complaints report 17 crashes, 1 fire, and 14 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 19,000 miles.

Engine complaints
44
17% of 255
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
14
Median mileage
19,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Lexus ES350 engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 7, 2008, latest Dec 23, 2022.

2008 Lexus ES350 engine complaints: complaints filed per month9May 2008Nov 2009Mar 2010Sep 2010Nov 2012Jun 2015Nov 2017
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2008 to Dec 2022; peak Mar 2010 (9).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Lexus ES350

  1. NHTSA 09V388000Oct 5, 2009Engine4,445,056 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

    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.

    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.

    Remedy: 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 not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331, lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Engine complaints by ES350 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2007141 (26%)
  2. 200844 (17%)
  3. 200924 (17%)
  4. 20109 (7%)
  5. 20114 (3%)
  6. 20122 (2%)
  7. 20133 (13%)
  8. 20145 (18%)
  9. 20152 (13%)
  10. 20164 (19%)
  11. 20172 (9%)
  12. 20183 (60%)
  13. 20190 (0%)
  14. 20201 (20%)
  15. 20210 (0%)
  16. 20220 (0%)
  17. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Lexus ES350 have engine problems?
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Lexus ES350, 17% of all complaints for this model year, including 17 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 19,000 miles.
Which Lexus ES350 year has the most engine complaints?
The 2007 Lexus ES350 has the most engine complaints (141), compared with 44 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Lexus ES350?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Lexus ES350 concerns the engine: 09V388000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.