Is the 2008 Lexus IS 350 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus IS 350?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus IS 350 have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

2008 Lexus IS 350

○ Not enough data

2008 Lexus IS 350
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:08:22.861Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 30
Recalls: 8
Investigations: 1
Top problem: Air bags

Complaints per year

2008: 30 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2006	93
2007	53
2008	30
2009	3
2010	8
2011	5
2012	2
2013	0
2014	14
2015	4
2016	2
2017	1
2018	0
2019	1
2020	1

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

37% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing knee bolster.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

On November 8, 2017, I was involved in a traffic accident in santa monica, ca as I was making a left turn from an alley onto a two-lane residential street. The other vehicle struck me on the left front corner of my car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-28

Also filed under Seat belts

Structure

23% · 7 reports

Vehicle speed control

17% · 5 reports

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

I was pulling up to a red stoplight with a car already stopped at the light. While applying pressure to the brakes, I realized the vehicle wasn't braking correctly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-13

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS350. The contact was driving approximately 0 MPH and applied the brakes however, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was not filed of the incident.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-02-26

As I was parking my Lexus in a parking lot, the car suddenly shot forward, moving over the parking cement barrier and crashing into a wall. The car was repaired.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-03-11

Also filed under Equipment adaptive/mobility

Electrical system

13% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash.

Steering

10% · 3 reports

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Power steering failure during turn in 2008 Lexus 350- sudden. Caused accident with injuries to person and property.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-11-18

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2010-09-02Engine and engine cooling10V309000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2008 Lexus passenger cars manufactured from August 26, 2005 through August 4, 2008. Micro-foreign objects in the material of the valve spring may…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 2, 2010. Owners may contact Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2013-10-09Engine13V395000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 vehicles manufactured June 19, 2006, through July 12, 2011; and model year 2006-2011 Lexus IS350 vehicles manufactured May 27, 2005…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the VVT unit free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2018-08-23Fuel system, gasoline18V432000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 and GS450h, 2006-2013 Lexus IS350 and 2010-2014 Lexus IS350C vehicles, equipped with 3.5L V6 2GR-FSE gasoline engines.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new pipe that has improved pulsation dampers, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Lexus IS 350 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Air bags: 11 reports on file for this year.
Structure: 7 reports on file for this year.
Vehicle speed control: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 10V309000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 13V395000 · Engine
Recall 13V030000 · Visibility/wiper
Recall 14V647000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 16V340000 · Air bags
Recall 17V006000 · Air bags
Recall 18V432000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 19V741000 · Air bags

FAQ

Is the 2008 Lexus IS 350 reliable?: There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus IS 350?: The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus IS 350 have?: 8 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.