2008 Lexus ES
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2008 Lexus ES. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Vehicle: 2008 Lexus ES 350 Issue Description: The dashboard in my vehicle is melting and becoming sticky, causing a reflective glare on the windshield during daylight driving. This significantly impacts visibility and creates a potential safety hazard. The condition worsens with heat and sun exposure. The glare can be severe enough to interfere with safe driving, especially during morning and afternoon sunlight conditions. This issue has been widely reported among Lexus ES models from this generation. Lexus previously acknowledged the defect and offered a limited-time repair program, which has since expired. However, many vehicles are still experiencing the issue. Because this defect affects driver visibility, it should be considered a safety concern rather than a cosmetic issue. I am requesting that this issue be investigated and that appropriate action be taken to require the manufacturer to address the defect. Resulting Safety Concern: Reduced driver visibility due to dashboard glare
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Lexus ES 350. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 153,000. However, a subsequent Carfax report revealed that the actual mileage was 245,000.
The front control arms, their bushings and ball joints are failing. My car only has 125k miles on it, but it drifts and bounces around as if there is no struts at all. It is very scary to drive, it feels like something terrible is about to happen like a wheel snapping off and causing accident. I took it to several mechanics. They say it will cost $1,700k to replace ONE control arm! $3,400k for both. The rubber bushings are completely deteriorated due to the rubber being bad. (My dashboard is also melting, and the rubber weather stripping on all of the doors/windows)
The contact owned a 2008 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 - 40 MPH, the air bags suddenly deployed independently. The contact stated that his view was obstructed due to the air bag deployment, and he briefly lost control the vehicle and the vehicle came to a complete stop after crashing into a light pole. The remaining air bags did deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was deemed a total loss by the Insurance provider. A Police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported by air to an area shock trauma center and treated for a broken neck, a broken right shoulder, loss of four teeth, a laceration requiring 40 stitches, and later required reconstructive surgery on both his right leg and right foot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The dashboard of the vehicle has deteriorated causing an extreme shiny surface all over. This can be seen at even given time of inspection. A recall was released to do this issue but when the LEXUS Newport News, VA dealership was contacted, the response was this vehicle was not included. During this time the vehicle was already in the need of the dashbpard being replaced due to the reasons stated in the recall letter. The vehicle was later taken to the same dealership whom denied the recall action, for a different service. The representative that was spoken with for the recall was present and seen the condition of the dashboad. the representative then stated that there was a recall for this issue. I reminded them of the call and the rep replied, if we would have known it was this bad, then we would have added your vehicle to the list for repair. I was told since the original recall date had expired for that repair issue that they were not going to honor the repair, even after acknowledging the damage and agreeing that it should have been included. The representative proceeded to suggest me to pay them as the dealer for a dashboard replacement. I asked to speak with another asociate which in turn advised the same information. The suggested service and charge, was declined. This dashboard has caused a mirror like glare in the windshield. It obtructs the view of objects while driving. Eye apparrel has been applied along with, seat position adjustments, and a towel placed to cover the dashboard while operating the vehicle. This is unsafe and as time goes on this issue continues to get worse. I have not had an auto insurance representative inspect the issue. I was unaware that this maybe an option.
I purchased and had installed 4 - Nokian Tyres One 215/55/17 on [XXX]. I brought my car to my Lexus dealer on [XXX] for routine car maintenance. When inspected, all four tires had a circumferential crack on the interior side wall. They were deep and went virtually around the entire tire. I was told not to drive the car and replace the tires immediately. At that point, we had put 30,000 miles on the tires and there was still plenty of tread. We returned to our tire dealer, and when he contacted Nokian, they said that this had been a problem with this group of tires, and although there wasn't a recall, they were replacing the tires for free on an "as-needed" basis. Our dealer replaced the tires, although I must say I am leery of this brand. In any event, there should be a formal recall on these tires. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
VVTI oil line ruptured This was part of a Limited Service Campaign by Lexus and I believe my vehicle's VIN was incorrectly excluded.
I am not writing about my car. I am writing about many other cars coming toward me at night with VERY BRIGHT headlights. There ought to be a law against multiple headlights, very bright headlights, headlights that shine directly into the eyes of oncoming vehicles. What is being done about this? I would like a reply to my concern. I live on an island with one two lane road north to south. There is no way to avoid oncoming traffic. [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Dash board is melting needs to be recalled
Urgent: my dash has melted on my-2008 lexus ES 350- I cannot see to drive, my visibilty it totally obstructed w my 2008 lexus ES 350 with actual 35, 000 miles, that I cannot drive ((ever)) it sits in the garage. Because too dangerous to drive melting dash it totally blocks my view of any road, due to shining reflection of melting dash IS all you can see in my windshield when you get in the car to drive-so instead of an accident for me or others on road until this dash IS replaced it cannot be driven. because the shiny-melting-sticky dash (((reflects onto my windshield; of the 2008 lexus ES 350and makes it too dangerous & impossible to see, to drive anywhere & impossible to see anything when driving my view IS obstructed all I can see IS (((a reflection in windshield only))) of (((my : shiny melting dash -2008 lexus ES 350-I cannot drive w 35, 000 miles the dash needs replaced asap before an accident did or almost did occur. no, I have never received a recall notice on this car melting dash -never. This issue IS all over the internet with other toyota and lexus owners having this very same issue. This car was built in georgetown ky and was purchased brand new at lexus of louisville, ky. “I have never purchased another lexus after this.” thank you, original and only 1 owner of this lexus es-350
The dealership Northtown Lexus, in Amherst New York, repaired the door actuators on my 2008 Lexus ES350 without my authorization. They claimed the door actuators were a factory defect however, they repaired two out of the four door actuators. The dealership Northtown Lexus completed this repair without my written or verbal authorization. The two driver's side door locks continues to malfunction. The dealership refuses to repair the problem.
My 2008 Lexus ES350 has been repaired at Northtown Lexus since 10/18/2019. The dealer and manufacturer indicated the door lock actuators are defective as original equipment. The dealer replaced only two door locks and referred me to Lexus Customer Service. Since 10/18/2019, I have NOT been able to obtain any relief from Northtown Lexus or Lexus Customer Service for these defective, factory original, door locks.
car was recalled for faulty air bags.i have tried numerous times to speak with someone,always with the same result-i am transferred 2 or 3 times and then i am promised a call back.i have not received a call back as of 6/20/2022.i think the first time i called was over a year ago.i am sure i called at least 4 times and spent many hours on hold being transferred.i have other things to do than sit on hold.i would like the problem fixed.
My vehicle dashboard is melting and i have tried to contact the dealer and they have told me that the recall has been expired on my vehicles and for me it is becoming a safety issue because whenever sun reflects on the dashboard and because its melting it makes a glare on my windshield and it effects on my visibility while driving the car.
Dear Sir/Madam, Our Lexus ES350 2008 has front panel melting and cracking. The melting plastic could emit hazardous fumes with health risk to driver and passengers. This melting panel looks awful, it dramatically decreases value of the car. We found this ZLZ program online below. But unfortunately it expired. We never received the ZLZ notice even though Lexus had our contact info (This is based on the fact that they sent us numerous letters on the air bag recalls.) https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10145764-9999.pdf We called Lexus, they admit it was due to defective material but unwilling to do anything for us. Apparently they treat recalls very seriously but try to do minimum for this defective plastic panel issue. Many people have similar complaints here below https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/toyota-lexus-melting-dashboard-lawsuit.shtml We sincerely request NHTSA to review this Lexus front panel melting and cracking issue again. All Lexus owners with this defective material issue should get full repair by manufacturer without limitation. If necessary, please consider a full recall for this issue so Lexus can treat this more seriously. Thanks for your attention. Regards!
Driving to work (i'm a registered nurse), the car (on the highway) just started to slow down. It was a blessing that I was coming up on a rest stop. By the time I was able to get over to the exit lane, the steering wheel froze and the brakes stopped working. Pressing as hard as I possibly could, I was able to pull to the side when smoke started coming from under the hood. There was no warning at all that there was trouble with the engine prior to this happening. That same week, my mechanic had 3 other lexus with blown engines and no pre-warning. *tr
Quality of seat leather IS poor. I looked same year model with another brand, that car seats are looks good and better than lexus es350. I looked and compared wirh another es350 2009 also seats was cracked.
When driving at 60mph, after removing foot from gas pedal, vehicle will continue to maintain a speed of 40mph. have to apply brakes to slow car down.
Vehicle was involved in front end collision. airbags did not deploy. injury caused.
Takara recall airbags dashboard
Dashboard IS burned plastic,
Takata recall: I was notified nearly a year ago of the safety recall required on my lexus. I have called 4-5 times over the past 12 months but have yet to be contacted by my dealership regarding replacing the airbag. What IS the recourse for having this work done? IS the dealer my only recourse? I have little doubt that they are responding to those customers who purchased their vehicles from the dealership (a friend of mine had the recall work done several months ago). this IS an extreme inconvenience as I am unable to use the passenger seat of my vehicle, for nearly a year. what can I do?
Melting dash board recall. lexus of mobile IS stating I never filed a claim to have my melting dash board recall corrected. this IS false. I was there and had photo's taken. I called bi-monthly to find out when the new dash boards would be in. never was I told they lost my photo's or did not have a claim on file. in addition I was there a few months ago to have the air bags fixed. at which time they saw the state of the dash board. they even created more damage to it but was told not to worry as it would be taken care of when the new dash board was installed. The glare for the dashboard IS a safety hazard and must be corrected and should be at no cost to me. since this IS a manufacturing defect.
Takata recall.. My airbags have not been replaced nor have the manufacture attempted to replace them
In an accident in 2012, a car impacted this lexus from right side and the lexus shifted over the curb and hit the road side light post. The front driver side airbag exploded but instead of protecting people from injury, it damaged my wife's right knee badly. The knee bone was fractured and she had three surgeries in hospital. She had been on bed for half year before recovery. now she still can't walk normally and feel pain from her knee.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
The driver side floor mat will not interfere with the throttle pedal if properly secured using the retaining hooks provided by toyota.however, if the all weather mat IS unsecured and moves forward from its intended position it can entrap the throttle pedal at the fully open position after it has been depressed.this can happen regardless of whether or not another mat (carpet) IS underneath.when this occurs, some operators react by applying the brake pedal multiple times, depleting the braking system's (vacuum based) power assist.stopping the vehicle with unassisted braking while the throttle IS fully open requires significant pedal force, which some operators did not, or were unable to, apply for the required duration.continued driving in this condition results in overheated brakes, which further diminishes the braking effectiveness.some operators attempted to turn the vehicle off by depressing the engine control button, however they were unaware the button had to be depressed for three seconds to stop the engine when the vehicle IS in motion; this functionality was not explained adequately in the owner's manual.in odi interviews, owner's reported they were unaware the all weather mat had the potential to interfere with the throttle pedal, advising that this was never properly explained given the significant hazard it represented.owners reported several explanations for why the mat was unsecured, including that the vehicle was delivered in this condition (most common reason), or that they had (unwittingly) installed the mat themselves, or that another party, such as a car wash attendant, had disturbed the mat without the owner's knowledge.one consumer reported that their vehicle was delivered without the retaining devices installed.in a september 26, 2007 letter to nhtsa, toyota indicated that they would conduct a safety recall to replace the all weather mat with a redesigned mat.according to toyota, the new mat design will reduce the potential for mat interference with the throttle pedal.the population noted above represents the number of subject matsthat have been sold in the united states.since toyota cannot identify which vehicles may have the subject mats, they will send a letter to all registered owners of the subject vehicles (estimated 750K) advising them of the concern and remedy.a copy of that letter will be posted to nhtsa's web site under recall 07e-082; it contains a description of the condition and the actions an operator should take in the event throttle entrapment occurs while driving.the fatality incident noted above occurred in july 2007 and was investigated by nhtsa's special crash investigations office.it has not been reported on a vehicle owner questionnaire.the operator reportedly travelled at speeds in excess of 100 mph for an estimated eight miles on an interstate in california before it struck two other vehicles.one of the struck vehicles and the subject vehicle caught fire.the occupant of the struck vehicle did not evaculate and died at the scene.the subject vehicle driver suffered a broken bone.the california highway patrol IS investigating the incident also.odi did not issue an information request letter during this investigation.the toyota reports noted above were reported during preliminary evaluation pe07-016 and are current through april 2007 for my 2007 lexus es350 only.odi does not have field experience data from toyota for camry vehicles.throttle entrapment due to improperly installed floor mats could be a concern in all vehicles.therefore, drivers should always ensure their floor mats are properly and safely installed.this incl
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.