repaired · 2021 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2008 Lexus ES350Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 255 owner complaints about the 2008 Lexus ES350, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-741 the manufacturer reports only 65% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 23, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Lexus ES350 has problems
255 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
170Air bags9 crash/fire/injury
39Vehicle speed control17 crash/fire/injury
12Structure
9Electrical system
5Visibility
4Steering
4Engine
3Engine and engine cooling
3Service brakes, hydraulic
1511 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 170 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 39 | 17 |
| Structure | 12 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 1 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 2 |
| Engine | 4 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 15 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2008 Lexus ES350 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lexus.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other ES350 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the ES350 median. How we score
'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Lexus ES350 safety ratings
2008 Lexus ES350 w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Lexus ES350, and the recalls they led to.
- UNWANTED ACCELERATION, FLOOR MATLed to recall 07E-082
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What ES350 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I KEEP GETTING MAIL ABOUT THE RECALL AND HAVE SPOKE TO LEXUS SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS ABOUT THE TAKATA AIRBAGS EACH TIMES SOMEONE TELLS ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT BUT THERE IS NO LEXUS DEALER IN MY CITY AND THE CLOSEST IS OVER 100 MILES AWAY IN WHICH I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO TAKE A TRIP. I'M…
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS BEING DISABLED BY A DEFECTIVE SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND LEXUS IS INFORMING CUSTOMERS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEREFORE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ESSENTIALLY PERMANENTLY DISABLED. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN SINCE ANY PERSON TRAVELING IN THE FRONT…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…
Own a 2008 ES350?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.