2008 Lexus IS 250 problems
NHTSA has received 157 complaints about the 2008 Lexus IS 250, and 24% of them involve air bags. After that come body & structure (19%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 157 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 24% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 7 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 66,000 miles 97 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 19 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 14 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 27 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 18 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 10 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 97 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 66,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 93,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 7 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 84% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 8 model years of the Lexus IS 250 with enough data (50 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus is250. While driving approximately 25-30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The brakes were applied but the vehicle would not stop. The contact was unsure of when or how the vehicle stopped but the she ended up in the middle of the road. The contact had blacked out and hit her head. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer but had not been inspected. The current and failure mileages were approximately 42,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lexus is 250. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting and produced a glare that impaired vision while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 95,000. * consumer stated recall on dashboard's warranty expired after 10years of first use. Updated 11/7/18
I was pulling into a parking space with my foot on the brake, almost to a complete stop when the car suddenly accelerated & I went up over a curb & hit a transformer. The distance was only about 8 feet. I do not know how fast I was going probably about 15 - 30 MPH. I moved the transformer about 3 feet. (the transformer weighed about 1/2 - 1 ton)9I I do not know how the car accelerated.
It was 90 degrees out and my dashboard was so gooey like sticky I was on my way to work and had a glare half the size of my windshield very dangerous could barely see on a sunny day. Door panels melt also leaving particles in your fingernails gotta clean my kids nails everyday and make sure they wash there hands everytime opening the door cause kids will be kids and sticks fingers in there mouths im very nervous about these particles falling off and melting we are breathing in whatever hazardous material is used…
Takata recall recall was issued on may 2016, and no remedy has been given to owners yet. Also dashboard was recalled for replacement as they became sticky / melted and at times produce glare. Local lexus dealer approved replacement in october 2015, and still have not received the dashboards for replacement. Contacted lexus corporate directly, but did not receive any specific set time for the availability of the part.