2008 Lexus RX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 51 of 253 complaints (20%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (16) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 289 in 2007 to 253 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,300–4,300 | 3,000–4,100 | 3,100–4,100 | 3,900–4,100 | 2,600–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–27 | 19–26 | 19–25 | 19–20 | 20–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–28 / 22–25 | 17–28 / 22–25 | 17–27 / 22–24 | 17–18 / 22–23 | 18–32 / 24–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 329–494 | 342–468 | 355–468 | 444–468 | 296–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 253 | 289 | 253 | 132 | 178 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 20 | 28 | 34 | 8 | 33 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 16 | 21 | 3 | 15 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus RX have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Lexus RX?
Brakes: 51 of 253 NHTSA complaints (20%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Lexus RX get?
EPA rates it 19–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Lexus RX?
EPA estimates $3,100–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 18 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 18 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 27 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 6 | 3.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 26 mpg | 24 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 51 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 28 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 18 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 39 | 27 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 34 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 37 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER · Campaign 13V396000 · Sep 4, 2013
Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.