2008 Lexus ES350
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 465 |
| 2008 | 255 |
| 2009 | 145 |
| 2010 | 137 |
| 2011 | 153 |
| 2012 | 89 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
65% of complaints: air bags — 165 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TAKATA INFLATORS: I WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON 05/25/2017. THE VEH I WAS IN WAS A 2008 LEXUS ES 350. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT FAILED TO INFLATE. AS A RESULT I HAVE TO UNDERGO SURGERY DUE TO SEVERE INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171103
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 LEXUS ES350. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150513
MY SON-IN-LAW, MARK KUHAR, WAS DRIVING MY (ROBERT LEHMAN'S) 2008 LEXUS ES350 WITH PERMISSION, WHEN IT WENT OFF THE ROAD DOWN AN APPX. 100 FOOT HILL, ROLLING END OVER END, APPX. 8 TIMES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WERE ACTIVATED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100119
11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 29 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ES 350 LEXUS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENTLY ACCELERATED EXCESSIVELY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, NOR WERE THERE ANY INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140321
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. ON MARCH 27, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A SECOND LATER, SHE HEARD A ROARING NOISE LIKE THAT OF A ROCKET SHIP COMING FROM THE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20080507
4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY4% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY3% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
UNWANTED ACCELERATION, FLOOR MAT
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
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF ALL 2007 AND 2008 LEXUS ES350 AND TOYOTA CAMRY VEHICLES ABOUT THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH NOT ALL OF THESE OWNERS WILL HAVE PURCHASED THE ALL WEATHER MATS. IF THE OWNER HAD NO
Campaign 07E082000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FL
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. THES
Campaign 09V388000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.
Campaign 16V340000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.
Campaign 17V006000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Lexus ES350 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (165 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (29 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 07E082000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V340000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V006000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 Lexus ES350 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Lexus ES350 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus ES350?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 65% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus ES350 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.