2008 Lexus Is problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (15) · Air Bags (14) · Visibility/Wiper (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lexus Is model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
60 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery 2011-01-26 · campaign 11V029000 · 244,779 vehicles
Defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTED TO AN ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE WITH NICKEL PHOSPHORUS PLATING, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT, OVER TIME, THE PRESSURE SENSOR COULD LOOSEN. IF LOOSENING OCCURS, FUEL COULD LEAK PAST A GASKET USED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE PIPE AND THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE THREADED PORTION OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AND IF A FUEL LEAK IS NOT CONFIRMED, DEALERS WILL FURTHER TIGHTEN THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. IF A FUEL LEAK IS CONFIRMED, THE GASKET BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE FUEL DELIVER PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, AND THE SENSOR WILL BE TIGHTENED WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA
Service bulletins (37)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2025-12-15 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Engine 2025-07-30 · L-SB-0032-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2016 – 2020 model year gs f, 2008 – 2014 model year is f, 2022 – 2025 model year is 500, 2018 – 2025 model year lc 500, 2021 – 2025 model year lc 500c, and 2015 – 2025 model year rc f vehicles with 2ur-gse engines may exhibit a mil on condition with one or more of the following diagnostic troub
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-07-29 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-06-21 · L-SB-0030-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-06-21 · L-SB-0030-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2024 lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Showing the 6 most recent of 37 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“vehicle: 2008 lexus is350 issue: excessive oil consumption and fuel/exhaust odor i am experiencing what i believe is excessive oil consumption with my 2008 lexus is350. i’ve had to regularly add oil between scheduled oil changes, and i’ve noticed that the oil level is frequently low with no external leaks visible. i’m concerned that this may indic…”
2024-06-15 · Unknown Or Other“the dashboard is melting and makes a glare on the windshield making it hard to see the dashboard is melting and sticky also on the door panels i almost crashed when i couldn’t see due to the glare of the melting dashboard reflecting on the windshield …”
2024-03-27 · Vehicle Speed Control“i was driving approx. 60 entering on ramp of freeway when car suddenly loses power to accelerator not entire car, i almost was hit by other drivers i couldnt accelerate or anything. i panicked then started pumping accelerator then it finally catches and sped up. i immediately got off freeway. then next day cel, check vsc light and skid light all ca…”
2024-01-08 · Unknown Or Other“from my past research i’ve noticed there were recalls about the headlight ballast flashing, and getting replaced my car has this problem but never had a recall. the rear view mirror is fading and turning black making me not able to see. and all of my interior is becoming shiny and brittle making it hard to see out of my vehicle at anytime of day or…”
2023-11-13 · Visibility/Wiper“the problem i am experiencing pertains to the dash of my lexus is 250. the dash cover has melted, most likely due to exposure to heat during sunny days. this melting dash has created a dangerous situation, as it causes a glaring reflection on the windshield, impairing my vision while driving. this glare poses a significant safety risk to both my an…”
2023-08-23 · Structure:interior Panels:door · 70,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 lexus is250. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the dashboard and the door panels melted causing the vehicle to become sticky. the vehicle was diagnosed and confirmed that there was a recall on melting dashboards, but the recall was no longer active. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was …”
2023-08-10 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 102,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 lexus is250. the contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. the failure persisted and the fuel light frequently illuminated on the instrument panel after refueling. the contact inspected the vehicle and discovered fuel residue in t…”
2022-08-26 · Engine“upon starting vehicle, engine loudly rattles for aprox. one second as if something is loose. this instance is directly in line with lexus tsb "l-sb-0155-08" (engine - brief engine knock/rattle on cold start up). further investigation shows this is a major concern as this involves a faulty camshaft assembly. …”
2022-08-22 · Unknown Or Other“- the door panel and dashboard is melting under normal to warm weather conditions. yes. - the rubber is degrading and coming off in pieces . i am concerned that inhalation or contact with this rubber material is a chemical hazard and/or carcinogenic. also, the shiny sticky dash impedes my driving visibility with a constant glare. - yes, lexus off…”
2022-05-11 · Visibility/Wiper“dashboard and door panels are melting to the point that (short) nails get stuck every time we drive. car is parked under a roof and it’s still melting. poor visibility due to shine.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.