Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
1525–50K
2550–75K
2075–100K
21100–150K
5150K+
101 reports with mileage · 25 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.
Structure. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
126 reports
109,000 miles · Dec 19, 2019
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRUNK DOOR CLOSED DOWN ON A FAMILY MEMBER WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO INJURY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE TRUNK DOOR AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT AT LEXUS OF RICHMOND (703 MIDL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRUNK DOOR CLOSED DOWN ON A FAMILY MEMBER WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO INJURY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE TRUNK DOOR AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT AT LEXUS OF RICHMOND (703 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, RICHMOND, VA 23235, (804) 323-8000). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA ODI #11290079
103,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Power TrainService BrakesSteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THREE TREES. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE/INOPERABLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THREE TREES. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE/INOPERABLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, BUT A REPORT WAS FILED 3 DAYS LATER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED COMPONENTS WERE WORKING PROPERLY AND CONSUMER MADE NO ATTEMPT TO STOP OR STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. VEHICLE ALSO CRASHED INTO 1 CAR.*PM CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY STATED CAR WAS TOTALED. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
NHTSA ODI #11267939
80,000 miles · Sep 30, 2019
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WICHITA (1555 N GREENWICH RD, WICHITA, KS 67206, (316) 779-2606) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COSMETIC; THEREFORE, IT WOULD NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WICHITA (1555 N GREENWICH RD, WICHITA, KS 67206, (316) 779-2606) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COSMETIC; THEREFORE, IT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11259080
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2019
Structure
2008 LEXUS RX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DETERIORATING DASH BOARD. *LD *JS
NHTSA ODI #11243658
185,000 miles · Apr 29, 2019
Engine
MASSIVE CATASTROPHIC OIL LEAK. NOTICED HOT OIL SMELL. NO OIL ON DIPSTICK. OIL SPRAYING OUT AT BOTTOM OF ENGINE, RIGHT FRONT. CAR TOWED TO SHOP. OIL HOSE BETWEEN COOLER AND FILTER BURST. KNOWN PROBLEM. TOYOTA/LEXUS HAS MADE AN UPGRADED PART BUT NOT NOTIFIED MOST OWNERS AND WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL IT FAILS. WHEN IT FAILS CAR CAN CA…
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MASSIVE CATASTROPHIC OIL LEAK. NOTICED HOT OIL SMELL. NO OIL ON DIPSTICK. OIL SPRAYING OUT AT BOTTOM OF ENGINE, RIGHT FRONT. CAR TOWED TO SHOP. OIL HOSE BETWEEN COOLER AND FILTER BURST. KNOWN PROBLEM. TOYOTA/LEXUS HAS MADE AN UPGRADED PART BUT NOT NOTIFIED MOST OWNERS AND WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL IT FAILS. WHEN IT FAILS CAR CAN CATCH FIRE AND SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE RESULTS. MANY VIDEOS AND REPORTS ON THE INTERNET AS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11204461
89,000 miles · Dec 27, 2018
Steering
I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW RACK & PINON DUE TO LEAKAGE WITH LESS THAN 92,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED JUST 2 YEARS AGO AND HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE RECORDS FROM PREVIOUS OWNER & DEALER SERVICE. HAVE HAD REGULAR SERVICE SINCE PURCHASING IT - WHICH IS HOW ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED. WILL COST OVER $1500 TO REPAIR. …
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I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW RACK & PINON DUE TO LEAKAGE WITH LESS THAN 92,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED JUST 2 YEARS AGO AND HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE RECORDS FROM PREVIOUS OWNER & DEALER SERVICE. HAVE HAD REGULAR SERVICE SINCE PURCHASING IT - WHICH IS HOW ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED. WILL COST OVER $1500 TO REPAIR. UPON DOING SOME INVESTIGATION ON-LINE, I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER EXPERIENCING THIS IN UNDER 100,000 MILEAGES.
NHTSA ODI #11163703
80,000 miles · Nov 29, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE OIL COOLER LINE BURST AND ALL THE OIL LEAKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME WHERE HE REPLACED THE OIL COOLER LINE HIMSELF. THE CONTACT FOUND THERE WAS INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE AND A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE OIL COOLER LINE BURST AND ALL THE OIL LEAKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME WHERE HE REPLACED THE OIL COOLER LINE HIMSELF. THE CONTACT FOUND THERE WAS INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE AND A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11154797
120,300 miles · Oct 23, 2018
Power Train
THERE WAS A WINING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I STARTED MY SUV UP IN THE MORNING THERE WAS A LOUD WINING SOUND. THE SOUND LOWERED AS THE CAR WARMED UP, NUT WHEN I PUT THE CARE IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATED THE NOUS BECAME LOUDER. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT HAS THE POWER STEERING SO I HAD THEM REPLACE T…
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THERE WAS A WINING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I STARTED MY SUV UP IN THE MORNING THERE WAS A LOUD WINING SOUND. THE SOUND LOWERED AS THE CAR WARMED UP, NUT WHEN I PUT THE CARE IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATED THE NOUS BECAME LOUDER. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT HAS THE POWER STEERING SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. BUT BEFORE THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE AND THAT I NOW NEEDED A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. AT 120,000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD CLEAN THE TRANSMISSION OIL MOTOR PAN AND THAT COULD STOP THE NOISE FOR NOW. THE DEALER CLEANED OIL PAN AND THE NOISE STOPPED. I AND TOLD THAT THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND THAT I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION SOON. I THINK IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION OF THE 2008 RX 350.
NHTSA ODI #11142279
151,500 miles · Sep 18, 2018
Electrical System
REAR LIFTGATE HANDLE MELTING WHEN CAR IS OPERATIONAL. HOT TO THE TOUCH. HAVE READ THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE LEXUS/TOYOTA MODELS.
NHTSA ODI #11130237
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2018
Structure
MY DASHBOARD HAS A SERIOUS CRACKING ISSUE. IT IS ALSO STICKING AND IS MELTING CAUSED BY HEAT. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT ON THE DASHBOARD. ONCE I RESEARCHED THE DASHBOARD ISSUE ONLINE I CONTACTED LEXUS ON JUNE 01, 2017. THE TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT WAS ONLY COSMETIC IS…
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MY DASHBOARD HAS A SERIOUS CRACKING ISSUE. IT IS ALSO STICKING AND IS MELTING CAUSED BY HEAT. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT ON THE DASHBOARD. ONCE I RESEARCHED THE DASHBOARD ISSUE ONLINE I CONTACTED LEXUS ON JUNE 01, 2017. THE TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT WAS ONLY COSMETIC ISSUE THAT BY LAW THEY DID NOT HAVE TO NOTIFY ME. I THINK THIS IS VERY UNFAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11121749
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
2008 Lexus RX350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year