2008 Lexus RX350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Lexus RX350 has a complaint index of 89 and ranks 3rd worst of 19 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported engine problems (32 complaints, 25% share), followed by electrical and structural issues, with a median failure mileage of 69,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 19 RX350 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 126
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17.5 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2008 Lexus RX350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine32 (25%)
- Electrical System26 (21%)
- Structure & Body24 (19%)
- Other22 (17%)
- Steering18 (14%)
- Brakes13 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (6%)
- Airbags6 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
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 at low speeds, such as pulling into a parking spot or driveway, followed by brake failure and a crash.
- Some report the vehicle surging forward or backward when shifting between drive, reverse, and neutral, with no braking response.
- Several describe brakes feeling soft or unresponsive, in one case with smoke and dragging from the wheel assembly at 9,000 miles.
- One owner reported a serpentine belt rupture at 65,000 miles that caused a fire in the engine compartment and cabin, linked to a frozen A/C compressor.
- Window regulator or switch failures left the passenger window stuck down, with one case reporting a burned-out switch.
- One complaint noted airbags deploying with smoke during a low-speed parking-lot crash tied to a braking failure.
2008 Lexus RX350 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2008 Lexus RX350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 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 RX350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Lexus RX350 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2008 RX350 a complaint index of 89, the 3rd worst of 19 model years for this model, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other RX350 years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2008 Lexus RX350?
- Engine complaints are the largest category, accounting for 32 of 126 complaints (25% share), with a median failure mileage of 70,000.
- Are there recalls on the 2008 Lexus RX350?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 RX350, and no do-not-drive recalls apply to this model year.
- Which Lexus RX350 model years should I avoid?
- Besides 2008, NHTSA complaint data flags 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013 as Avoid years, while 2020 has the lowest complaint index (17) among all RX350 years.
- How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Lexus RX350?
- EPA rates the 2008 RX350 at 19.5 mpg combined (17.5 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100.