2008 Lexus IS 250
This year had more than double the complaints of 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
- 125
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2008
Opened by NHTSA
30% of complaints
Complaints per year
2008: 125 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 189 |
| 2007 | 213 |
| 2008 | 125 |
| 2009 | 48 |
| 2010 | 40 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 35 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
30% · 38 reportsStructure
24% · 30 reportsMost commonly citing body and door.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS 250. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting and produced a glare that impaired vision while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-02
Engine
11% · 14 reportsShow complaint excerpts
As I was attempting to accelerate, the vsc light and check engine light came on, the car lost power, would not accelerate, and the engine started misfiring.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-28
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Vehicle speed control
10% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
I was driving my wife's Lexus 2008 IS 250 out of a parking lot when applying my foot on the brake the car accelerated. I now slammed my foot on the brakes and the car continued to accelerate.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-11-05
Also filed under Equipment adaptive/mobility
I was pulling into a parking space with my foot on the brake, almost to a complete stop when the car suddenly accelerated & I went up over a curb & hit a transformer. The distance was only about 8 feet.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-08-31
Visibility/wiper
6% · 8 reportsSafety timeline
5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2008Complaint volume 125 complaints filed for this model year.
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2013-10-29Visibility/wiper13V030000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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2015-03-05Fuel system, gasoline14V647000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
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2016-11-18Air bags16V340000 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.
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2017-02-01Air bags17V006000 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.
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2019-11-20Air bags19V741000 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.
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I
2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Buy-smart checklist
2008 Lexus IS 250 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 38 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 30 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 14 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13V030000 · Visibility/wiper
- Recall 14V647000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 16V340000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V006000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V741000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2008 Lexus IS 250 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Lexus IS 250 is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus IS 250?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus IS 250 have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.