Lexus · ES · 2008
0
Recalls
67
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2008 Lexus ES has no recalls and 67 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (37 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Lexus ES 350. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 153,000. However, a subsequent Carfax report revealed that the actual mileage was 245,000.
The front control arms, their bushings and ball joints are failing. My car only has 125k miles on it, but it drifts and bounces around as if there is no struts at all. It is very scary to drive, it feels like something terrible is about to happen like a wheel snapping off and causing accident. I took it to several mechanics. They say it will cost $1,700k to replace ONE control arm! $3,400k for both. The rubber bushings are completely deteriorated due to the rubber being bad. (My dashboard is also melting, and the rubber weather stripping on all of the doors/windows)
I purchased and had installed 4 - Nokian Tyres One 215/55/17 on [XXX]. I brought my car to my Lexus dealer on [XXX] for routine car maintenance. When inspected, all four tires had a circumferential crack on the interior side wall. They were deep and went virtually around the entire tire. I was told not to drive the car and replace the tires immediately. At that point, we had put 30,000 miles on the tires and there was still plenty of tread. We returned to our tire dealer, and when he contacted Nokian, they said that this had been a problem with this group of tires, and although there wasn't a recall, they were replacing the tires for free on an "as-needed" basis. Our dealer replaced the tires, although I must say I am leery of this brand. In any event, there should be a formal recall on these tires. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
VVTI oil line ruptured This was part of a Limited Service Campaign by Lexus and I believe my vehicle's VIN was incorrectly excluded.
I am not writing about my car. I am writing about many other cars coming toward me at night with VERY BRIGHT headlights. There ought to be a law against multiple headlights, very bright headlights, headlights that shine directly into the eyes of oncoming vehicles. What is being done about this? I would like a reply to my concern. I live on an island with one two lane road north to south. There is no way to avoid oncoming traffic. [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
URGENT: MY DASH HAS MELTED ON MY-2008 LEXUS ES 350- I CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE, MY VISIBILTY IT TOTALLY OBSTRUCTED w MY 2008 LEXUS ES 350 WITH ACTUAL 35, 000 MILES, THAT I CANNOT DRIVE ((EVER)) IT SITS IN THE GARAGE. BECAUSE TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE MELTING DASH IT TOTALLY BLOCKS MY VIEW OF ANY ROAD, DUE TO SHINING REFLECTION OF MELTING DASH IS ALL YOU CAN SEE IN MY WINDSHIELD WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR TO DRIVE-SO INSTEAD OF AN ACCIDENT FOR ME OR OTHERS ON ROAD UNTIL THIS DASH IS REPLACED IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN. BECAUSE THE SHINY-MELTING-STICKY DASH (((REFLECTS ONTO MY WINDSHIELD; OF THE 2008 LEXUS ES 350AND MAKES IT TOO DANGEROUS & IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE, TO DRIVE ANYWHERE & IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING WHEN DRIVING MY VIEW IS OBSTRUCTED ALL I CAN SEE IS (((A REFLECTION IN WINDSHIELD ONLY))) OF (((MY : SHINY MELTING DASH -2008 LEXUS ES 350-I CANNOT DRIVE W 35, 000 MILES THE DASH NEEDS REPLACED ASAP BEFORE AN ACCIDENT DID or ALMOST DID OCCUR. NO, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS CAR MELTING DASH -NEVER. THIS ISSUE IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH OTHER TOYOTA AND LEXUS OWNERS HAVING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. This car was built in Georgetown KY and was purchased BRAND NEW at Lexus of Louisville, KY. “I have never purchased another Lexus after this.” Thank you, original and only 1 OWNER of this Lexus ES-350
The contact owned a 2008 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 - 40 MPH, the air bags suddenly deployed independently. The contact stated that his view was obstructed due to the air bag deployment, and he briefly lost control the vehicle and the vehicle came to a complete stop after crashing into a light pole. The remaining air bags did deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was deemed a total loss by the Insurance provider. A Police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported by air to an area shock trauma center and treated for a broken neck, a broken right shoulder, loss of four teeth, a laceration requiring 40 stitches, and later required reconstructive surgery on both his right leg and right foot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
car was recalled for faulty air bags.i have tried numerous times to speak with someone,always with the same result-i am transferred 2 or 3 times and then i am promised a call back.i have not received a call back as of 6/20/2022.i think the first time i called was over a year ago.i am sure i called at least 4 times and spent many hours on hold being transferred.i have other things to do than sit on hold.i would like the problem fixed.
Dash board is melting needs to be recalled
My vehicle dashboard is melting and i have tried to contact the dealer and they have told me that the recall has been expired on my vehicles and for me it is becoming a safety issue because whenever sun reflects on the dashboard and because its melting it makes a glare on my windshield and it effects on my visibility while driving the car.
DRIVING TO WORK (I'M A REGISTERED NURSE), THE CAR (ON THE HIGHWAY) JUST STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. IT WAS A BLESSING THAT I WAS COMING UP ON A REST STOP. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE EXIT LANE, THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. PRESSING AS HARD AS I POSSIBLY COULD, I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL THAT THERE WAS TROUBLE WITH THE ENGINE PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. THAT SAME WEEK, MY MECHANIC HAD 3 OTHER LEXUS WITH BLOWN ENGINES AND NO PRE-WARNING. *TR
QUALITY OF SEAT LEATHER IS POOR. I LOOKED SAME YEAR MODEL WITH ANOTHER BRAND, THAT CAR SEATS ARE LOOKS GOOD AND BETTER THAN LEXUS ES350. I LOOKED AND COMPARED WIRH ANOTHER ES350 2009 ALSO SEATS WAS CRACKED.
My 2008 Lexus ES350 has been repaired at Northtown Lexus since 10/18/2019. The dealer and manufacturer indicated the door lock actuators are defective as original equipment. The dealer replaced only two door locks and referred me to Lexus Customer Service. Since 10/18/2019, I have NOT been able to obtain any relief from Northtown Lexus or Lexus Customer Service for these defective, factory original, door locks.
The dealership Northtown Lexus, in Amherst New York, repaired the door actuators on my 2008 Lexus ES350 without my authorization. They claimed the door actuators were a factory defect however, they repaired two out of the four door actuators. The dealership Northtown Lexus completed this repair without my written or verbal authorization. The two driver's side door locks continues to malfunction. The dealership refuses to repair the problem.
WHEN DRIVING AT 60MPH, AFTER REMOVING FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A SPEED OF 40MPH. HAVE TO APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW CAR DOWN.
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FRONT END COLLISION. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INJURY CAUSED.
The dashboard of the vehicle has deteriorated causing an extreme shiny surface all over. This can be seen at even given time of inspection. A recall was released to do this issue but when the LEXUS Newport News, VA dealership was contacted, the response was this vehicle was not included. During this time the vehicle was already in the need of the dashbpard being replaced due to the reasons stated in the recall letter. The vehicle was later taken to the same dealership whom denied the recall action, for a different service. The representative that was spoken with for the recall was present and seen the condition of the dashboad. the representative then stated that there was a recall for this issue. I reminded them of the call and the rep replied, if we would have known it was this bad, then we would have added your vehicle to the list for repair. I was told since the original recall date had expired for that repair issue that they were not going to honor the repair, even after acknowledging the damage and agreeing that it should have been included. The representative proceeded to suggest me to pay them as the dealer for a dashboard replacement. I asked to speak with another asociate which in turn advised the same information. The suggested service and charge, was declined. This dashboard has caused a mirror like glare in the windshield. It obtructs the view of objects while driving. Eye apparrel has been applied along with, seat position adjustments, and a towel placed to cover the dashboard while operating the vehicle. This is unsafe and as time goes on this issue continues to get worse. I have not had an auto insurance representative inspect the issue. I was unaware that this maybe an option.
TAKATA RECALL.. MY AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED NOR HAVE THE MANUFACTURE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THEM
TAKATA RECALL ANNOUNCED ON JAN 2017 BUT IT STILL HAS NOT STARTED THE REMEDY OF RECALL. SO FRUSTRATED!!!
TAKATA RECALL: I CONTACTED THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM 2 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS, MOST RECENTLY ON OCTOBER 25, 2017 AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE THE CASE BECAUSE TAKATA AND ITS AFFILIATES ARE NOW IN CHAPTER 11. NO ONE THERE CAN TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THE TIMEFRAME FOR THE PARTS BEING DELIVERED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE LEXUS OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE IN ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY. THE RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED IN JANUARY 2017. HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS LIKE MYSELF ARE DRIVING WITH AIR BAGS THAT CAN EXPLODE AND POTENTIAL KILL THE CAR'S OCCUPANTS.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2008 Lexus ES has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 67 owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Lexus ES.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2008 Lexus ES.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2008 Lexus ES are air bags (37 reports), unknown or other (9 reports), engine (3 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2008 Lexus ES. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.