YearToAvoid

2008 Lexus RX350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

89/100

#3 most-complained of 19 RX350 years

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

The 2008 Lexus RX350 has 126 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 89 out of 100 — #3 highest of 19 RX350 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (32 complaints, 25% of the total). Complaints report 11 crashes, 4 fires, and 10 injuries.

Complaints
126
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
11 / 4
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
17.5 city / 22.5 hwy

Top 2008 Lexus RX350 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine32 (25%)
  2. Electrical System26 (21%)
  3. Structure & Body24 (19%)
  4. Other22 (17%)
  5. Steering18 (14%)
  6. Brakes13 (10%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain7 (6%)
  8. Airbags6 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers4 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
2008 Lexus RX350 complaints: complaints filed per quarter122007 Q32009 Q42011 Q32013 Q32015 Q12016 Q32018 Q12019 Q4
157 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q3 to 2019 Q4; peak 2015 Q3 (12).

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006No verdict601—
2007Avoid94167119.5
2008Avoid89126019.5
2009Avoid8397019.5
2010Avoid10094120.5

All Lexus RX350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Lexus RX350 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Lexus RX350 ranks #3 of 19 among RX350 model years (Complaint Index 89/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 126 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus RX350?
The most reported problem areas are engine (32 complaints), electrical system (26 complaints), and structure & body (24 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 69,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Lexus RX350 have any recalls?
No safety recall campaigns list the 2008 Lexus RX350 in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Lexus RX350?
EPA rates the 2008 Lexus RX350 at 19.5 MPG combined (17.5 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.