The Lemon Index
200720094th generation (XF40)
About average · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
23 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Lexus ES 862008 BMW 5 Series 2142008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,700 and 34,000 miles (9,200–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 23 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 14V647000 (fuel system, gasoline), 10V309000 (engine) and 09V020000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Lexus sent dealers 198 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Hesitation on acceleration and in some cases set”?
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 23 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 5K to 34K miles (9K to 56K km) on the car (20 of all 23 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
2008 Lexus ls400. Consumer states vehicle does not always accelerate properly and has been unable to start on two occasions after long trips.
2008 Lexus LS owner · NHTSA complaint 10371733
Problems Lexus told dealers about
Lexus sent dealers 198 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Hesitation on acceleration and in some cases set
- The cooling fan motor may be inoperative which can cause engine coolant temp to increase
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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.
- Engine · recall issued 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2008 LEXUS PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 26, 2005 THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2008.
- 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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,600–$3,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Every Lexus LS 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.
Embed this chart
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-ls/?y=2008" title="Lexus LS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" 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-ls/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Lexus LS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Lexus LS reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 114; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lexus LS year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2007.
What are the most common 2008 Lexus LS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (26%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus LS have?
3 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Lexus LS get?
19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Lexus LS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,700 and 34,000 miles (9,200–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 23 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 LS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Lexus LS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,600 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Lexus LS have?
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Lexus LS year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
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