2008 Lexus IS 250
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Lexus › IS 250 › 2008
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2008 Lexus IS 250. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
5 recalls name the 2008 Lexus IS 250. Newest first.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350…
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas…
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles…
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating…
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10, 2009, through October 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 Lexus IS-F vehicles manufactured December 14, 2007, through July 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms…
Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
TL* the contact owns a 2008 lexus is250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated prior to responding. The contact stated that the failure was most evident after stopping at a traffic light and then attempting to drive from being stationary. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Engine consumes about a quart of oil every thousand miles. Tail pipes full of carbon. sometimes runs rough
Door panels are melting. Lexus corporate will not fix the issue of all door panels melting inside the car. Lexus did however fix the dashboard but does not want to fix the door panels. Door panels feel like play dough sticky and its shape IS being destroyed gradually as being used daily.
Takata recall. My car had the airbag recall but it seems like during the recall they didn't replace the airbag wiring harness, causing the airbag dash light.
I have bought this car 3 weeks ago and it was 75K mile and originally had 151K miles according to the report off the lexus website.
Strong gas smell inside car.driving idiling at a stand stilland while car IS then turned off after running also another problem related or not but showing up at the same time was a bad odor not the smell of gas but the smell of rotten eggs IS present after the car excellerates the smell IS strong and pungent inside vehicle also
As inspected by lexus dealership in woodland hills ca, my car has airbag light on/off intermittently. Error code b1861 was found that IS tied to knee airbag on the driver side. There IS a problem with the squib circuit in the instrument cluster I believe. Car has around 99K miles but this safety concern IS serious. This airbag IS something that never gets used unless you're in an accident. I've never been in one. It IS just bad workmanship on lexus to install such a wiring harness and squib circuit that'll go bad before 100,000 miles. As a customer this IS not something that IS visible to me nor something I would attempt to touch. It IS hidden behind the instrument cluster and dashboard. Dealership quoted $3000+ to fix something that wasn't caused due to customer negligence. It IS just bad workmanship from lexus. There IS a great risk involved with driving lexus is250's considering this light could turn on anytime and if one gets into an accident, then airbag would not deploy resulting in a possible casualty or serious injuries. This should be a recall on all lexus affected by this. Customer shouldn't be responsible for these workmanship problems.
Dash airbag light randomly turned on. Car was parked. As soon as car was turned on the light lit up. Light was not on day before. Took to local lexus dealership and had code scanned. Dealership informed me that my car needs a new dash harness and repair would cost +$3,000 plus tax for part and labor which IS half of what the car costs. Also told me that when the light IS on none of my airbags will deploy in the event of a collision which makes me worried to drive the car, especially this time of year. Looked up the issue online and saw it IS a common issue with these cars, but there IS no type of recall for the issue which IS unusual for something that IS common and puts lives at risk.
TL* the contact owns a 2008 lexus IS 250. The contact stated that the door panel and dashboard started to melt, crack, and become sticky. The dealer (lexus of tampa bay, 5852 n dale mabry hwy., tampa, fl 33614) stated that the vehicle was included in an unknown recall; however, they stopped doing repairs in november of 2017. The manufacturer was also contacted and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 93,800.
2008 lexus IS 250. Consumer writes in regard to airbag recall and airbag light remaining on. *as *js
Takata recall. Was unaware of fuel system recall. The dealership never informed me that this was ever an issue. Started smelling a weird smell coming from the exhaust when I accelerate.
I have been experiencing this issue since I bought the car, lexus keeps telling me that my engine IS fine and they have tested it etc, however it comes to a dead stop and won't go I keep pressing the gas but it hesitates really bad close to be hit by oncoming cars on a daily basis.
Takata airbag. Passenger airbag trouble light comes on dash intermittently when stationary and while in motion on street/highway. When I recently had the takata airbag recall done, the dealership quoted me $2,100 to replace the wiring harness. I researched on-line and found this to be universally occurring problem with lexus is250 models and others 2006 and later. The defective part IS the connector from the wiring harness coming loose at the plug into the airbag. Since this a universal safety issue and related to a defective part (rather than a mechanical part subject to wear/tear) shouldn't this be a recall? See following link for more details, but it IS pretty common lore in lexus circles that IS happening at low miles as well as high miles. Not sure why consumers are paying for this flaw when out of warranty. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-2nd-gen-2006-2013/542134-airbag-light-on-with-resolution-tsb.html
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 taken to lexus of new orleans (8811 veterans memorial blvd, metairie, la 70003, (504) 207-3100) where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 95,000. **tr consumer stated recall on dashboard's warranty expired after 10years of first use. Updated 11/7/18*jb
The "vsc" warning light has been coming on and staying on since november 2017. I have read that many lexus IS 250 cars are having the same issue. The car seems to be driving fine for now but there has to be a reason for the warning light. If so many other cars have this issue, I'm wondering if it's a manufacture error?? The warning lights comes on as soon as the engine starts and it does not go out.
I purchased 4 brand new tires from firestone complete auto care on 12/27/2015. I have had several incidents with the tires including frequent bubble formation and a tire blow out on the highway. I believe the frequency of these incidents warrant investigation as to possible defects in this brand and line of tire that could be life threatening. I had a tire blowout of the left drivers side tire while on the highway on my way to work in rush hour traffic on 3/30/17. Fortunately, I was able to get the car in control and get off of the next exit. I had the tire replaced later that morning. Next, I was at the lexus dealership in november of 11/2017 for an alignment and a bubble was found in the sidewall tire. This tire was replaced at the lexus dealership. On 4/15/18, I was driving on the highway and my car felt unbalanced and the check tire light came on. I attempted to put air in the right front passenger tire but was unable to get air in. I brought the car to firestone and was told I needed a new tire. On 6/2/18, I brought the car to midas for an emissions system check and the technician showed me a bubble on the sidewall of the left drivers side tire. I brought the car to firestone and this was verified. I was charged and the tire replaced. Having purchased these 50,000 mile tires in december of 2015 with 93,000 miles on my vehicle this IS an excessive amount of issues at 126,000 miles. I have both safety and financial concerns about this product. I have attempted to speak with firestone directly at the store, they deny any issue with the tires. I received discount pricing for replacing 2 tires but no other accountability by firestone. I believe this would have to occur at a higher level. The tires are bridgestone driveguard bl with run flat 225/45r17 91W 50,000 mile.
Rear brake calipers seizing within months keep having to replace caliper screws or entire caliper
Dash cracking, sticky trunk button, door pan els discolored . First owner purchased new. Garage keep entire period since purchase in 08. I always wanted to have a lexus and on my 50TH bithday and purchased a new one. I wanted a lexus because it meant quality. I understand toyota /lexus issued a notice to dealers but not a recall notice. I never recieved any notice from my local dealer or lexus regarding this defect until the replacement plan had expired. Class action suit was dropped when toyota/lexus agreed to replace dash and door panels back 10 years and no milage cap on certain vehicles, mine included. I would like this replaced in a timely fashion at no charge. I can't even trade or sell my vehicle for real,value of a garage kept vehicle with these issues. why IS it lexus can't do better for its customers and not leave me in limbo? I wouldn't purchase another lexus or toyota in the future if the manufacture won't stand it's product. this could effect up 3.5 million toyota and lexus vehicles. can the dept of,transportation contact the manufacture and put a fire under their tails? I would appreciate any help and guidance on this isuue. thankyou for your help.
The dashboard and side panels are melting and very sticky. had to buy a cover for dashboard to prevent the shiny part from hitting the windshield.
A latent defect in the dashboard and side door panels melt or degrade upon prolonged exposure resulting in a sticky, reflective goo that reduces visibility. The increased glare has become a safety issue. Lexus has refused my claim and will not repair my vehicle.
Wiring harness that IS too short.
TL* the contact owns a 2008 lexus IS 250. The contact observed sticky residue associated with the dashboard and the front driver and passenger side handles were not functioning properly. The dealer (lexus of palm beach, 5700 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33417, (561) 291-6004) failed to provide the appropriate oem dashboard. In addition, the contact waited years for the handles to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was not available.
After having the car I started getting the feel as if the car wanted to cut off each time I came to a stop. there was vibration with in the motor as it seemed. I contacted the dealership and they advise there was a issue with my model with the motor system with the vibration. They fixed the issue so I thought but as of today there IS still vibrations at time when I come to a complete stop. later on I received a recall on the dashboard and door panels. I later received another recall for my airbags, now my airbag light keeps coming on and I'm having to take the car back and forth to the dealership. These items has happen on number of occasions
I purchased my lexus in nov. 2012 for approx. $18000 cash from a private person. By early 2013, the srs airbag warning light stayed to come on, stay on for 1-2 days, then goes off. Then, few months later, it came on and stayed on. So, I took it to a lexus dealer to check it. They immediately informed me that the cause was a defective srs wire harness, as per the fault code b1861, which lexus was well aware of and had issued tsp, and the fix was to replace the srs wire harness with an upgraded replacement which would cost me $3500-$4000. Not being aware of this issue before I purchased my lexus, I decided to research the problem to learn more before contacting lexus customer satisfaction center, as advised by the dealer. however, lexus customer satisfaction center, as well as lexus corporate office, refused to take responsibility and carry the entire cost, even so they acknowledged the defect. therefore, I'm left with a car with nonfunctional airbag system; it would cost me as much as 50% of the market value of the car; it could not be resold; and, it would not pass the dmv inspection. according to all lexus dealers who inspected the problem, this srs wire harness IS located under the dashboard and can not be damaged except due to an accident where damage reaches the dashboard area. Therefore, it's lexus responsibility to carry the cost of upgrading the defected wire harness. Moreover, they have informed that it's unsafe to drive the car in its current condition because the airbag system may not function properly in an accident. However, due to the high cost of fixing this problem, I am, like many other lexus owners, left with no choice but to drive it the way it it and pray I won't get in any accident.
TL* the contact owns a 2008 lexus IS 250. Within less than two days of owning the vehicle, there was a failure with the radiator cap and catastrophic engine failure. The temperature gauge fluctuated highly. The dealer replaced the radiator cap and provided no solution for the engine failure. The vehicle was excluded from nhtsa campaign numbers: 10v309000 (engine and engine cooling) and 09v020000 (engine and engine cooling). An independent mechanic replaced the engine assembly due to the failure. The manufacturer was aware that they issued two recalls, but they provided no solution to repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
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.