LEXUS ES350 · model year

2008 LEXUS ES350

276 NHTSA complaints, 33 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008LEXUSES350 carries 276 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 33 crashes, 1 fire, 28 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 ES350 is air bags with 165 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (29) and unknown or other (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2008 ES350. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

276
Complaints
33
Crashes
1
Fires
28
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

276 filings

Crashes Reported

33 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS165
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
STRUCTURE:BODY8
STEERING4
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS4
ENGINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
STRUCTURE3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2

Recalls (5)

07E08200026/09/2007

EQUIPMENT

CERTAIN ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS (AWFM) SPECIFICALLY SOLD AS AN OPTIONAL ACCESSORY FOR USE ON THE 2007 AND 2008 MODEL YEAR LEXUS ES350 AND TOYOTA CAMRY VEHICLES. THE AWFM INCLUDES TWO GROMMET HOLES AND RETAINING HOOKS (CLIPS) TO SECURE THE MAT TO THE VEHICLE'S CARPET. IF THE AWFM IS NOT SECURED BY I

16V34000023/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 20

19V74100017/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4

17V00600009/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,

09V38800005/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

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.

Recent Complaints

20221223VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

The contact owns a 2008 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light showed that the tire pressure was low. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired. While attempting to reverse out of a parking lot, the vehicle independently accelerated forward at 60 MPH. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle out of the parking lot to avoid a crash. The vehicle decelerated independently. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After waiting for a while, the contact drove the vehicle home at slow speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. The contact deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive and decided to sell it. The vehicle was sold to Carmax instead of to the dealership because they offered more money. But the contact still suffered a significant financial loss so they are requesting a reimbursement for the r

Mileage: 49,000

20200421STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED HENNESSY LEXUS OF GWINNETT (3383 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096 (770) 680-1000) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE WARRANTY POLICY EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*DT*TP

20200421VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED HENNESSY LEXUS OF GWINNETT (3383 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096 (770) 680-1000) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE WARRANTY POLICY EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*DT*TP

20190517UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I RECENTLY JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY DASHBOARD MELT, AND STICKY. IF I'M DRIVING IN THE SUN , THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN CAUSED THE BLINDSPOT THAT I COULD NOT SEE. ALSO, THE STICKINESS IS CAUSING THE SMELL AND IT'S NOT HEALTHY.

20190507CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING, I CALLED THE LEXUS CORP TODAY AND FOUND OUT THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED SINCE LAST YEAR BUT I JUST DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM LAST SUNDAY.

20190419UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON THAT ALLOWS TRUNK TO BE OPENED MELTED. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE RUBBER BUTTON TO MELT AND RENDER THE RELEASE OF THE TRUNK INOPERABLE. CAR WAS NEVER SUBJECTED TO CHEMICALS OR UNDUE HEAT. SOMETHING CAUSED THE BUTTON TO MELT AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD IF NOT REPLACED? THE CAR IS KEPT YEAR ROUND IN NEW JERSEY AND IS SUBJECT TO SEASONAL CHANGES BUT NOT IN A YEAR ROUND HOT CLIMATE SUCH AS THE SOUTHERN STATES. THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE REPLACEMENT COST. THE MECHANIC THERE WHO LOOKED AT IT SAID HE SEES IT ALL THE TIME.

Mileage: 137,000

20190314STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED AND MELTED. THE FRACTURE BEGAN FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TO THE IGNITION AREA. THE DASHBOARD WAS BROKEN INTO PIECES AND EXPOSED THE IGNITION, WHICH CAUSED THE KEY TO BE LOOSE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH STERLING MCCALL LEXUS (10025 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY, HOUSTON, TX 77074, (713) 995-2600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT PROGRAM HAD EXPIRED FOR THE 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. *JS

Mileage: 118,000

20190218ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BATTERY FAILED TO DISCHARGE IN NUMEROUS OCCASIONS (STATIONARY-PARKED AT MY RESIDENCE-28,012 ML ON THIS 2008 ES 350), REQUIRED TRIPLE AAA CHARGE. LEXUS SERVICE CENTER STATED "I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY & ALTERNATOR." I HAD THE ALTERNATOR & BATTERY REPLACED ON 12/15/2018 (NOT CHEAP). THEN ON 02/17/2019, I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BATTERY NOT DISCHARGING. FYI, THIS IS MY 2ND LEXUS. 1ST LEXUS OWNED WAS A 1991 ES 250, NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT CAR UNTIL IT REACHED 117,000 MILES. THIS IS TOO STRESSFUL. WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH LEXUS (TOYOTA). THEY ONCE WERE THE BEST CARS ON THE ROAD???????

Mileage: 27,888

20181207STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. DUE TO THE GLARE OF THE SUN, THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND BECOME VERY STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHATHAM PARKWAY LEXUS (LOCATED AT 1120 CHATHAM PKWY, SAVANNAH, GA 31405, (912) 213-0005) FOR A ROUTINE OIL SERVICE AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THEM OF THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 120,000

20181125UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD MELTING

Mileage: 121,000

20180810AIR BAGS

I KEEP GETTING MAIL ABOUT THE RECALL AND HAVE SPOKE TO LEXUS SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS ABOUT THE TAKATA AIRBAGS EACH TIMES SOMEONE TELLS ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT BUT THERE IS NO LEXUS DEALER IN MY CITY AND THE CLOSEST IS OVER 100 MILES AWAY IN WHICH I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO TAKE A TRIP. I'M WORRIED ABOUT THIS SITUATION BECAUSE NOW THEY SAY DON'T EVEN RIDE NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT'S A INCONVENIENT I USE THIS CAR TO TRANSPORT MY KIDS TO SCHOOL,MY JOB AND LEXUS ISN'T HELPING AND IT'S REALLY THEY FAULT THAT I'M IN THIS SITUATION. IF I COULD TAKE THE CAR TO A SHOP IN MY CITY WHERE I'M PURCHASING THE CAR I WOULD TAKE THE CAR TO THE SHOP BUT OVER 100 MILES OUT AND A 100 MILES BACK HOME I CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

20180602VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE TOP OF THE DASH IS STICKY, ALMOST LIKE IT'S MELTING, CAUSING A SHINY GLARE TO REFLECT OFF THE BASH AND WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE, ESPECIALLY IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. IVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 2010 AND IT'S STEADILY WORSENED OVERTIME. IT BECAME AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN BACK IN MARCH AS THE WEATHER BECAME WARMER.

Mileage: 150,000

20180602UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE TOP OF THE DASH IS STICKY, ALMOST LIKE IT'S MELTING, CAUSING A SHINY GLARE TO REFLECT OFF THE BASH AND WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE, ESPECIALLY IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. IVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 2010 AND IT'S STEADILY WORSENED OVERTIME. IT BECAME AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN BACK IN MARCH AS THE WEATHER BECAME WARMER.

Mileage: 150,000

20180411AIR BAGS

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS BEING DISABLED BY A DEFECTIVE SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND LEXUS IS INFORMING CUSTOMERS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEREFORE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ESSENTIALLY PERMANENTLY DISABLED. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN SINCE ANY PERSON TRAVELING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WILL NO LONGER HAVE A WORKING AIRBAG.

20180328AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED NORTH PARK LEXUS OF SAN ANTONIO AT (210) 308-8900 (611 LOCKHILL SELMA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20180308STRUCTURE:BODY

THE TRUNK WILL NOT CLOSE AFTER OPENING. I HAVE TO SLAM IT SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY CLOSE.

20180104AIR BAGS

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT THE DEALER. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER 5 OR 6 TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS, AND EACH TIME THEY TELL ME NO ONE IS AVAILABLE TO TALK TO ME AND THEY SEND ME TO VOICE MAIL TO LEAVE A MESSAGE. I HAVE DONE THAT BUT NO ONE HAS EVER CALLED ME BACK ABOUT THIS. THE DEALER IS PLAZA LEXUS IN CREVE COUER, MISSOURI.

20171214ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BOUGHT THIS LEXUS IN 03/12/12. IT IS USED. THERE HAS BEEN MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. THIS IS NOT A LITTLE MOISTURE, IT IS VERY EXCESSIVE. WE CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE MOISTURE CAUSES VERY DIM LIGHT WHICH WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. MY HUSBAND TALKED TO A SARAH AS CASE MANAGER AT CORPORATE, MARKET MANAGER FOR SERVICES, VAL KRAMER, WARRANTY COORDINATOR AND EACH OF THEM SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO HELP US. LEXUS SEND US A LETTER AND TOLD US THEY KNOW THAT THE HEADLIGHT IS NOT COMPLETELY SEALED. WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP. LEXUS SHOULD FIX THIS WITH NO EXPENSE. THANK YOU COR YOUR BELL

20171213UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY DASH BOARD IS BAD N CAUSING VERY BAD VISION TO DRIVE.LEXUS STATE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COVER THIS AT THIS POINT DUE TO MISSING THE DEAD LINE.I PURSCHASE THIS VEHICLE USED N KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM UNTIL INFORMED BY LEXUS SERVICE.

20171208AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. DESPITE 3 NOTICES RECEIVED, DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK TO PERFORM THE RECALL

Compare 2008LEXUSES350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 LEXUS ES350 have?
The 2008 LEXUS ES350 has 276 NHTSA complaints, 33 crashes, 1 fires, 28 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 LEXUS ES350?
Yes, the 2008 LEXUS ES350 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 LEXUS ES350?
The most-complained component for the 2008 LEXUS ES350 is AIR BAGS with 165 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2008 LEXUS ES350 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.