YearToAvoid

2008 Lexus LS460 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 Lexus LS460 ranks worst of 11 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 100, 79 complaints, and 2 recalls. Brakes account for 43% of complaints, followed by engine issues tied to sudden acceleration reports, giving it an Avoid verdict.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 11 LS460 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
79
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2011
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
16 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2008 Lexus LS460 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes34 (43%)
  2. Engine15 (19%)
  3. Other9 (11%)
  4. Structure & Body8 (10%)
  5. Electrical System7 (9%)
  6. Fuel System6 (8%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain5 (6%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers5 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
  10. Airbags2 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or at low speed, sometimes crashing into other vehicles even with both feet pressed hard on the brake pedal.
  • Some drivers report the vehicle surging forward on its own while stopped with the brake applied, then colliding with the car ahead.
  • Pulsating or uneven brakes cause a lurching motion when stopping, reported at low mileage.
  • One owner reported smoke and burning wire smell from under the hood while parking, traced to a defective starter.
  • A tire separation on the right front tire caused freeway vibrations, leading the dealer to replace all four tires.
  • An owner reported repeated engine jerking while idling in gear, with the dealer unable to fix it despite a transmission software update.
2008 Lexus LS460 complaints: complaints filed per quarter62008 Q42010 Q42013 Q22015 Q22016 Q42018 Q22021 Q3
79 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q4 to 2023 Q1; peak 2019 Q1 (6).

2008 Lexus LS460 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V647000Oct 15, 2014Fuel System422,509 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    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.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 10V309000Jul 6, 2010Engine138,874 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2008 lexus passenger cars manufactured from august 26, 2005 through august 4, 2008. Micro-foreign objects in the material of the valve spring may degrade the strength of the valve spring, possibly causing the spring to break.

    Risk: The engine could fail and stop suddenly while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on september 2, 2010. Owners may contact lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

2008 Lexus LS460 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other LS460 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020072008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid9074219.5
2008Avoid10079219
2009Caution5010218.5
2010Avoid8017218.5

All Lexus LS460 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Lexus LS460 reliable?
Among 11 model years of the LS460, 2008 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 79 complaints logged with NHTSA, giving it an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus LS460?
Brakes make up 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 75,000 miles. Engine problems, including reports of unintended acceleration, account for 19% of complaints.
Does the 2008 Lexus LS460 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls: one in 2014 for a fuel pressure sensor mounting area needing cleaning and resealing, and one in 2010 for possible valve spring weakness from micro-foreign objects in the material.
How does the 2008 LS460 compare to other LS460 years?
The 2008 model has the highest complaint index (100) of all 11 years tracked, worse than 2007 (90) and 2010 (80). Years like 2011, 2012, and 2016 have much lower complaint indexes and better verdicts.
Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2008 LS460?
NHTSA data lists 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries tied to 2008 LS460 complaints, with no reported deaths.

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.