2008 Lexus RX Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
94/100
#2 most-complained of 19 RX Hybrid years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid has 57 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 94 out of 100 — #2 highest of 19 RX Hybrid model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is brakes (22 complaints, 39% of the total). Complaints report 18 crashes and 10 injuries.
- Complaints
- 57
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 18 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 26.5 city / 24 hwy
Top 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
2008 Lexus RX Hybrid recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V396000Sep 4, 2013Fuel System133,081 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
2008 Lexus RX Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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 RX Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid ranks #2 of 19 among RX Hybrid model years (Complaint Index 94/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 57 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid?
- The most reported problem areas are brakes (22 complaints), engine (22 complaints), and electrical system (8 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 56,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid, most recently reported 2013, covering fuel system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid?
- EPA rates the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid at 25 MPG combined (26.5 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.