YearToAvoid

2008 Lexus RX Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid has 57 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 94, and ranks 2nd worst of 19 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Brakes and engine issues each make up 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 56,000.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
94/100
#2 of 19 RX Hybrid years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
57
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
18
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
10
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2015
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25
26.5 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0

Top 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid problems

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

  1. Brakes22 (39%)
  2. Engine22 (39%)
  3. Electrical System8 (14%)
  4. Steering5 (9%)
  5. Fuel System4 (7%)
  6. Airbags3 (5%)
  7. Structure & Body3 (5%)
  8. Other2 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners report unintended acceleration while pulling into or backing into parking spaces, often at very low speeds.
  • Multiple drivers describe pressing the brake pedal and getting no response, leading to curb strikes, wall impacts, or crashes into trees.
  • Some complaints describe the vehicle surging forward on its own before the driver could react, even without touching the accelerator.
  • One owner reported the brakes locking up while the engine raced, causing loss of steering response and a collision with parked cars.
  • Failures occurred at low mileage in several cases, including incidents reported at 9,000, 12,000, and 15,000 miles.
  • Airbags reportedly did not deploy in at least one crash caused by brake failure while parking.
2008 Lexus RX Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month11Sep 2008Apr 2010May 2011Jul 2013Sep 2015Sep 2016Apr 2019Jun 2022
57 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2008 to Jun 2022; peak Feb 2010 (11).

2008 Lexus RX Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Avoid100154526.5
2007Avoid8959326
2008Avoid9457125
2010Caution678129.5
2011Avoid7812028.5

All Lexus RX Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid reliable?
Compared to other RX Hybrid model years, the 2008 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 94, the second-highest of 19 model years covered, and carries an Avoid verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid?
Brakes and engine issues are tied as the top problem areas, each accounting for 39% of the 57 complaints filed with NHTSA. Median mileage at failure was 39,123 for brakes and 43,000 for engine complaints.
Does the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 13V396000) covering the fuel system, affecting certain 2006-2010 hybrid vehicles including the 2008 RX400h, related to IPM replacement.
How does the 2008 RX Hybrid compare to other years?
The 2006 model year is worse, with a complaint index of 100 and 154 complaints. The 2015 model year fares best among those with a verdict, earning a Good rating with an index of 44.
What is fuel economy like on the 2008 RX Hybrid?
The EPA rates it at 25 mpg combined (26.5 city, 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.

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.