VehicleVerdict

2008 Lexus IS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 143 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 11.9 times the median IS year — the 2008 model ranks #3 of 28 IS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (26), body & structure (23), and engine (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

143

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other IS years?

IS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted185 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 17 complaints2003: 18 complaints2004: 12 complaints2005: 13 complaints2006: 185 complaints2007: 171 complaints2008: 143 complaints2009: 55 complaints2010: 51 complaints2011: 22 complaints2012: 26 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 15 complaints2015: 14 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 14 complaints2018: 3 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 7 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 1 complaints
IS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all IS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Lexus IS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other2618%
Body & Structure2316%
Engine2316%
Airbags2115%
Visibility & Wipers139%
Fuel System75%
Electrical System64%
Transmission53%
Steering43%
Speed Control43%
Lighting32%
Seat Belts32%
Seats21%
Brakes21%
Suspension11%

Does the 2008 Lexus IS have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V029000Fuel SystemJanuary 26, 2011 · 244,779 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTED TO AN ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE WITH NICKEL PHOSPHORUS PLATING, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT, OVER TIME, THE PRESSURE SENSOR COULD LOOSEN. IF LOOSENING OCCURS, FUEL COULD LEAK PAST A GASKET USED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE PIPE AND THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE THREADED PORTION OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AND IF A FUEL LEAK IS NOT CONFIRMED, DEALERS WILL FURTHER TIGHTEN THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. IF A FUEL LEAK IS CONFIRMED, THE GASKET BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE FUEL DELIVER PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, AND THE SENSOR WILL BE TIGHTENED WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

09V388000Speed ControlOctober 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

09V020000EngineJanuary 16, 2009 · 214,570 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 214,570 MY 2006-2008 LEXUS IS, MY 2006-2007 GS AND MY 2007-2008 LS PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM FUEL DELIVERY PIPES (FUEL RAILS). ETHANOL FUELS WITH A LOW MOISTURE CONTENT WILL CORRODE THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF THE FUEL RAILS. AS THIS CONDITION PROGRESSES, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE.

Consequence

OVER TIME, THE CORROSION MAY CREATE A PINHOLE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL DELIVERY PIPES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA/LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“From my past research I’ve noticed there were recalls about the headlight ballast flashing, and getting replaced my car has this problem but never had a recall. The rear view mirror is fading and turning black making me not able to see. And all of my interior is becoming shiny and brittle making…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 1, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS IS250/350. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND SHUT OFF WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 20, 2019

“THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND THE DOOR SIDE PANELS PIECES ARE FALLING OFF AS IF THE PLASTIC IS OLD AND DRY. I CONTACTED LEXUS WHO TOLD ME THAT THE FLORIDA SUN WAS TOO HOT FOR THE CARS AND THAT THEY WERE NOT AT FAULT FOR THIS AND ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE DEFECTS. DAMAGE IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 1, 2013

“THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF, NEEDS A NEW SENSOR WHICH IS AROUND $1700. THE AIRBAGS WON'T WORK UNLESS THE SENSOR IS REPLACED WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 8, 2016 · crash

“I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A PREOWNED 2008 LEXUS ISF WITH THE STICKY DASH BOARD ISSUE AND ALSO THE DOOR PANELS ARE DECAYING AWAY. LEXUS WILL NOT REPLACE MY ITEMS THAT ARE DAMAGE DUE TO THEIR POOR MIXTURE OF THE MATERIAL USED TO MAKE THEIR DASH AND PANELS. PREOWNED PURCHASED SHOULD BE COVER IF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 12, 2017

2008 Lexus IS — common questions

Is the 2008 Lexus IS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 143 complaints put the 2008 model at #3 of 28 IS years. It is one of the IS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 IS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (26 complaints), body & structure (23 complaints), engine (23 complaints).

Does the 2008 Lexus IS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Lexus IS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lexus IS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the IS years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among IS years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.