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2008 Lexus Is

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

60 reports with mileage · 42 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

21 reports
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95,000 miles · Dec 27, 2021
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

The contact owned a 2008 Lexus IS350. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel began to turn to the left independently and crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact’s vehicle rolled over and landed on its roof before stopping. None of the air bags deploy upon impact. A bystander assisted the con…

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The contact owned a 2008 Lexus IS350. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel began to turn to the left independently and crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact’s vehicle rolled over and landed on its roof before stopping. None of the air bags deploy upon impact. A bystander assisted the contact to exit the vehicle by breaking the front passenger side window with his foot. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained bruising on her face and body. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the insurance company lot and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was serviced for the air bags recall however, the dealer only replaced the passenger’s side air bag inflator and used masking tape for the engine hoses. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. Seat belt held the consumer upside down like a hammock. The black box did not say seat belt was in use. Prior to accident consumer was driving by construction site and heard loud screeching scraping under car. Car steering or linkage went out and car went to left. Consumer did not intentionally steer car left. Consumer was blamed for accident when car malfunctioned.

NHTSA ODI #11445082

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2021
Air Bags

Airbag light keeps going on and off. Looked up on google. A lot of people are having this issue. I filed for a complaint before and got no response.

NHTSA ODI #11426061

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2021
Air Bags

The wiring harness for the front passenger airbag was recalled by lexus because it is too short and frequently becomes disconnected which disables the front passenger airbag and cause the air bag light to turn on on the instrument panel. Lexus sent a letter informing me of the recall, but it was sent to my parents house and I di…

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The wiring harness for the front passenger airbag was recalled by lexus because it is too short and frequently becomes disconnected which disables the front passenger airbag and cause the air bag light to turn on on the instrument panel. Lexus sent a letter informing me of the recall, but it was sent to my parents house and I did not receive it in time. After finding the recall letter, the pandemic also prevented me from making it to the dealership in time. The letter they sent me also had no markings to indicate it was a recall or that the information inside was important in any way so the letter was easily ignored. I spoke with a lexus dealership and lexus corporate and they both refused to perform the safety repair because I was about 2 to 3 months past their deadline (June 2020?). As a result, my front passenger air bag is inoperable and any front riding passenger in my vehicle is at a greatly increased safety risk in the event of a serious crash. Lexus admitted the problem with their wiring harness and instituted a recall, so I don't think it is fair for them to potentially sacrifice the lives and the safety of my front riding passengers because of a superficial deadline. I would appreciate any help you could provide in convincing lexus to honor their safety recall for my vehicle. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI #11420881

190,000 miles · Feb 16, 2021
Air Bags

I RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL AFTER BEING TOLD I WILL RECEIVE A CALL BACK. AFTER A FEW WEEKS I CONTACTED LEXUS SET A DATE OF SERVICE WAS GIVEN A RENT A CAR BY LEXUS WAS TOLD FOR FREE BUT I PAID A DEPOSIT. LEXUS HAS REFUNDED ME MY MONEY AFTER I PICK UP MY CAR A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DASH I CONTACTED LEXUS VIA EMAIL …

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I RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL AFTER BEING TOLD I WILL RECEIVE A CALL BACK. AFTER A FEW WEEKS I CONTACTED LEXUS SET A DATE OF SERVICE WAS GIVEN A RENT A CAR BY LEXUS WAS TOLD FOR FREE BUT I PAID A DEPOSIT. LEXUS HAS REFUNDED ME MY MONEY AFTER I PICK UP MY CAR A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DASH I CONTACTED LEXUS VIA EMAIL AND SCHEDULED A DATE WAS TOLD THAT THEY FORGOT TO CLOSE A LID AND THAT WHAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE THAT TIME THEY GAVE ME A LEXUS LOANER NOT A RENT A CAR. BUT IT'S STILL MAKING THAT NOISE MY CAR NEVER MADE THAT NOISE I GO IN FOR A RECALL SERVICE AND IT FEELS LIKE I SHOULD HAVE NEVER GONE NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE TO NOT BREAK ANYTHING THE NOISE HAPPENS WHEN I TURN THE AC ON ETHER PARKED OR DRIVE I HAVE VIDEO OF THE NOISE

NHTSA ODI #11396547

62,846 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Air BagsSteering

GOT A AIRBAG LIGHT ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THIS MORNING. EVERYTHING IS INTACT. WAS READING FORUMS ABOUT IT. SAYS THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON. PLEASE LET ME KNOW I DID NOT TAKE A PICTURE. BUT IF NEEDED I CAN TAKE A PICTURE AND SEND IT TO YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11396356

105,000 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Air Bags

THE SRS/AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTUP OF MY CAR, CODE B1861 DRIVER SIDE KNEE AIRBAG SQUIB OPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11309606

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2018
Air BagsExterior LightingSeat Belts

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WITH NO ONE SITTING THERE. NEED TO REPLACE DASH/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HARNESS.

NHTSA ODI #11143458

107,000 miles · May 8, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION I HAVE SOME TYPE OF NOISE COMING FROM MY FRONT DASH WHERE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS.

NHTSA ODI #10984345

83,000 miles · Mar 14, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER AND CAR MAKER, LEXUS AUTOMOBILES, ARE TAKING AN UNACCEPTABLY LONG TIME TO REMEDY THIS LIFE-THREATENING DEFECT. THIS WEEK I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE CAR MAKER WITH A WARNING TO NOT LET ANYONE SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED. THIS IS THE SECOND MAILING I HA…

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TAKATA RECALL THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER AND CAR MAKER, LEXUS AUTOMOBILES, ARE TAKING AN UNACCEPTABLY LONG TIME TO REMEDY THIS LIFE-THREATENING DEFECT. THIS WEEK I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE CAR MAKER WITH A WARNING TO NOT LET ANYONE SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED. THIS IS THE SECOND MAILING I HAVE RECEIVED, AND THE PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED AS MORE CRITICAL WITH EACH MAILING. SINCE JUNE OF 2016 I HAVE BEEN ON A WAITING LIST WITH THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE TAKATA DEVICE REPLACED. THIS DELAY IS NOT A REASONABLE PERIOD TO WAIT. FURTHERMORE THE LOCAL DEALER, LEXUS OF THOUSAND OAKS, IS NOT DILIGENT IN ASSIGNING PEOPLE TO THE RECALL REPAIR WAITING LIST. MY WIFE CALLED THE DEALER TWICE IN EARLY 2016 AND WAS ASSURED THAT OUR CAR WAS ASSIGNED. I VISITED THE DEALER IN SUMMER OF 2016 AND FOUND THAT OUR CAR WAS NOT ON THE DEALER RECALL REPAIR LIST. SO, ONLY BY VISITING THE DEALER WAS I ABLE TO DEFINITELY BE ASSIGNED TO THE LIST. VERY POOR OVERSIGHT BY THE CAR MAKER OF A CRITICAL ISSUE BEING HANDLED BY THE DEALER. THE CAR MAKER SHOULD STEP-UP AND CREATE A WAITING LIST WEBSITE THAT SCHEDULES APPOINTMENTS AT ANY LOCAL DEALER THAT IS READY TO REPAIR. SOME FAIR METHOD OF ASSIGNING PRIORITIES SHOULD BE CLEARLY PUBLICIZED FOR ALL CAR OWNERS AFFECTED. THE CAR MAKER HAS TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH THIS RECALL EFFORT AND TAKE THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY AWAY FROM THE DEALER. VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTING TO SAY THE LEAST.

NHTSA ODI #10965963

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2017
Air Bags

RECALL FIX HAS TAKEN OVER 1 YEAR AND STILL DOES NOT HAVE A ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE

NHTSA ODI #10959558

Official recalls

3

11V029000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Jan 26, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTED TO AN ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE WITH NICKEL PHOSPHORUS PLATING, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT, OVER TIME, THE PRESSURE SENSOR COULD LOOSEN. IF LOOSENING OCCURS, FUEL COULD LEAK PAST A GASKET USED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE PIPE AND THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE THREADED PORTION OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AND IF A FUEL LEAK IS NOT CONFIRMED, DEALERS WILL FURTHER TIGHTEN THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. IF A FUEL LEAK IS CONFIRMED, THE GASKET BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE FUEL DELIVER PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, AND THE SENSOR WILL BE TIGHTENED WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Oct 5, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

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. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

09V020000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jan 16, 2009

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.