2008 Lexus IS engine problems

The 2008 Lexus IS has 23 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Engine complaints

16%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

IS engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2008 Lexus IS have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 2008 Lexus IS engine — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2008 Lexus IS engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 09V020000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.