The Lemon Index
200720092nd generation
29 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 BMW 3 Series 1442008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 402008 Cadillac CTS 72
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2008 Lexus IS
- Airbag light / sensor19 complaintsmostly at 63,000–110,000 miles (101,000–177,000 km)
- Coolant leak / overheating8 complaintsmostly at 84,000–110,000 miles (135,000–177,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Lexus IS (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 22,000 miles (11,000–35,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 29 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V741000 (airbags), 17V006000 (airbags) and 16V340000 (airbags) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Lexus sent dealers 229 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rear suspension”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lexus's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 29 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 21K miles (11K to 35K km) on the car (27 of all 29 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Power steering failure during turn in 2008 Lexus 350- sudden. Caused accident with injuries to person and property.
2008 Lexus IS owner · NHTSA complaint 10292685
More owner reports
2008 Lexus is250. Consumer states when she turned into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly jumped over the concrete barrier and stopped within inches of hitting a brick wall.
NHTSA complaint 10334840
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 229 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear suspension
- Engine/hybrid system
- Illumination of malfunction indicator lamp (check engine light) may be exhibit,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 8 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2014
Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
- Wipers & visibility · recall issued 2013
The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES.
- Speed control · recall issued 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Engine · recall issued 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).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Every Lexus IS year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lexus-is/?y=2008" title="Lexus IS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lexus-is/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Lexus IS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Lexus IS reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 59; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lexus IS year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2008 Lexus IS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (48%), steering (14%) and engine (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus IS have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Lexus IS get?
18 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Lexus IS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 22,000 miles (11,000–35,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 29 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Lexus IS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Lexus IS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Lexus IS have?
2.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Lexus IS year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works