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 IS 250Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 125 owner complaints about the 2008 Lexus IS 250, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 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 November 23, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Lexus IS 250 has problems
125 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
38Air bags
29Structure1 crash/fire/injury
14Engine
12Vehicle speed control7 crash/fire/injury
8Visibility/wiper
8Electrical system
7Fuel/propulsion system
5Power train
4Steering
1912 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 38 | 0 |
| Structure | 29 | 1 |
| Engine | 14 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 7 |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 |
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 19 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2008 Lexus IS 250 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.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Visibility/wiper
Risk. Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Air bags
8 owners mentioned a cost$3,000median
Middle half: $2,500 – $3,350
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other IS 250 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 IS 250 median. How we score
'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Lexus IS 250, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What IS 250 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR HAD THE AIRBAG RECALL BUT IT SEEMS LIKE DURING THE RECALL THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS, CAUSING THE AIRBAG DASH LIGHT.
AS INSPECTED BY LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN WOODLAND HILLS CA, MY CAR HAS AIRBAG LIGHT ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ERROR CODE B1861 WAS FOUND THAT IS TIED TO KNEE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SQUIB CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER I BELIEVE. CAR HAS AROUND 99K MILES BUT THIS SAFETY…
DASH AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY TURNED ON. CAR WAS PARKED. AS SOON AS CAR WAS TURNED ON THE LIGHT LIT UP. LIGHT WAS NOT ON DAY BEFORE. TOOK TO LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND HAD CODE SCANNED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR NEEDS A NEW DASH HARNESS AND REPAIR WOULD COST +$3,000 PLUS TAX FOR PART AND…
Own a 2008 IS 250?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.