Vehicle Data Hub

2008 Lexus LS problems

The 2008 Lexus LS has 59 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (36%) concerns brakes. Next are cruise control (8%) and body & structure (8%).

At a glance

Complaints
59 filed with NHTSA
Most reported
Brakes 36% of complaints
Crashes and fires
0 and 2
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0
Typical mileage
87,000 miles 32 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%.

  • Brakes 36%
  • Cruise control 8%
  • Body & structure 8%
  • Engine 7%
  • Stability control 7%
  • Electrical system 5%
  • Fuel system 3%
  • Wipers, windshield & visibility 3%
  • Drivetrain & axles 2%
  • Suspension 2%

When problems show up

Complaints by mileage, 2008 Lexus LS Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 87,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 6 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 0 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 6 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 2 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 4 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 0 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 8 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 1 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 2 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 2 complaints 200k+ miles: 1 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 87,000 miles
Based on 32 complaints that include mileage. 38% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles6
20k to 40k miles0
40k to 60k miles6
60k to 80k miles2
80k to 100k miles4
100k to 120k miles0
120k to 140k miles8
140k to 160k miles1
160k to 180k miles2
180k to 200k miles2
200k+ miles1

What the data shows

Of the 32 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 87,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 107,000 miles (12 complaints with mileage).

Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a fire. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 87% of model years in our database.

It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.

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.

My lexus ls460 spontaneously started on fire in a public parking lot. No warning lights ,no known car problems. I had parked my car to run into a store. When I turned it off it made a loud repetitive clacking sound. I turned it back on and turned it off again. Same thing. I turned it back on and tried to back up but it stalled. Started to smell... Something was burning and smoke was coming from the engine under the hood. Became very clear that the engine was on fire. I called 911 and the fire department responded.

Reported at 132,000 miles, February 2019 Fire

Because of my blind spot, almost had a serious accident. Don't you think it is about time that the car manufacturer provide a mirror that eliminates the blind spot???????? What is the best blind spot mirror?

August 2008

As I am driving the vehicle I feel vibrations then my dash illuminate with vsc, ABS, skid control, brake light as well as the triangle with exclamation. Notifications states that I should pull over immediately contact dealer brake malfunction. I have my two year old son in the car with me. Literally gave me a [xxx] heartache. Contact the dealer there's no safety recall for the brake actuator for 2008 ls460 only toyota issue cars. This is unfair for something that's clearly failing.

Reported at 186,430 miles, April 2020

The contact owns a 2008 Lexus LS460. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the braking system malfunctioned, and the brake pedal extended to the floorboard while depressed, causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ABS actuator and brake pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.

Reported at 58,000 miles, July 2023

Other model years of the LS

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004

Best and worst years for the Lexus LS