2008 Lexus RX350

Routine

Owners filed 126 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the body and frame. No safety recall has been issued.

Avoid One of the Lexus RX350 years to avoid: 2.2× the complaints of a typical RX350 year. Which Lexus RX350 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
69,000 milesMedian miles at failure

101 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2008 Lexus RX350 problems

17 of the 126 complaints (13%) are about the body and frame.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other16
101
Steering15
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration13
807
Electrical System13
000
Engine10
010
Structure › Body · body and frame8
001
Structure · body and frame7
000
Exterior Lighting · headlights6
000
Service Brakes · brakes4
100
Power Train · transmission4
010

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body › Trunk Lid
Filed Dec 19, 2019109,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRUNK DOOR CLOSED DOWN ON A FAMILY MEMBER WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO INJURY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE TRUNK DOOR AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT AT LEXUS OF RICHMOND (703 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, RICHMOND, VA 23235, (804) 323-8000). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Oct 11, 2019103,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THREE TREES. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE/INOPERABLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, BUT A REPORT WAS FILED 3 DAYS LATER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED COMPONENTS WERE WORKING PROPERLY AND CONSUMER MADE NO ATTEMPT TO STOP OR STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. VEHICLE ALSO CRASHED INTO 1 CAR.*PM CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY STATED CAR WAS TOTALED. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 30, 201980,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF WICHITA (1555 N GREENWICH RD, WICHITA, KS 67206, (316) 779-2606) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COSMETIC; THEREFORE, IT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Structure
Filed Aug 16, 2019SC

2008 LEXUS RX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DETERIORATING DASH BOARD. *LD *JS

Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2019185,000 milesGA

MASSIVE CATASTROPHIC OIL LEAK. NOTICED HOT OIL SMELL. NO OIL ON DIPSTICK. OIL SPRAYING OUT AT BOTTOM OF ENGINE, RIGHT FRONT. CAR TOWED TO SHOP. OIL HOSE BETWEEN COOLER AND FILTER BURST. KNOWN PROBLEM. TOYOTA/LEXUS HAS MADE AN UPGRADED PART BUT NOT NOTIFIED MOST OWNERS AND WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL IT FAILS. WHEN IT FAILS CAR CAN CATCH FIRE AND SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE RESULTS. MANY VIDEOS AND REPORTS ON THE INTERNET AS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.

Steering
Filed Dec 27, 201889,000 milesWI

I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW RACK & PINON DUE TO LEAKAGE WITH LESS THAN 92,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED JUST 2 YEARS AGO AND HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE RECORDS FROM PREVIOUS OWNER & DEALER SERVICE. HAVE HAD REGULAR SERVICE SINCE PURCHASING IT - WHICH IS HOW ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED. WILL COST OVER $1500 TO REPAIR. UPON DOING SOME INVESTIGATION ON-LINE, I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER EXPERIENCING THIS IN UNDER 100,000 MILEAGES.

Engine
Filed Nov 29, 201880,000 milesNM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE OIL COOLER LINE BURST AND ALL THE OIL LEAKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME WHERE HE REPLACED THE OIL COOLER LINE HIMSELF. THE CONTACT FOUND THERE WAS INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE AND A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 23, 2018120,300 milesCA

THERE WAS A WINING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I STARTED MY SUV UP IN THE MORNING THERE WAS A LOUD WINING SOUND. THE SOUND LOWERED AS THE CAR WARMED UP, NUT WHEN I PUT THE CARE IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATED THE NOUS BECAME LOUDER. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT HAS THE POWER STEERING SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. BUT BEFORE THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE AND THAT I NOW NEEDED A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. AT 120,000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD CLEAN THE TRANSMISSION OIL MOTOR PAN AND THAT COULD STOP THE NOISE FOR NOW. THE DEALER CLEANED OIL PAN AND THE NOISE STOPPED. I AND TOLD THAT THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND THAT I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION SOON. I THINK IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION OF THE 2008 RX 350.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 18, 2018151,500 milesPA

REAR LIFTGATE HANDLE MELTING WHEN CAR IS OPERATIONAL. HOT TO THE TOUCH. HAVE READ THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE LEXUS/TOYOTA MODELS.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 22, 2018OH

MY DASHBOARD HAS A SERIOUS CRACKING ISSUE. IT IS ALSO STICKING AND IS MELTING CAUSED BY HEAT. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT ON THE DASHBOARD. ONCE I RESEARCHED THE DASHBOARD ISSUE ONLINE I CONTACTED LEXUS ON JUNE 01, 2017. THE TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT WAS ONLY COSMETIC ISSUE THAT BY LAW THEY DID NOT HAVE TO NOTIFY ME. I THINK THIS IS VERY UNFAIR.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 14, 2018117,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND IMPAIRED THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE HEADLIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF CHERRY HILL (1230 ROUTE 73 SOUTH, MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054, (856) 393-4583) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 21, 2018CA

SEAT BELT IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE NOT WORKING. CRACKED DASH BOARD.

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 20, 201889,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. *DT UPDATED 12/18/18*JB

Steering
Filed Jun 26, 2018122,000 milesOK

I PURCHASED MY 2008 LEXUS RX 350 FROM A ONE OWNER. ONLY 122,000 MILES, GARAGED KEPT AND EXTREMELY CLEAN. UPON TAKING THE CAR OVER AND BRINGING IT HOME. I REMOVED THE ENGINE SPLASH GUARD TO GET A BETTER LOOK AT THE UNDERNEATH. REMOVED THE SPLASH GUARD AND WOUND THAT THE RACK/PINION WHICH IS COVERED BY THE SPLASH GUARD HAD ONE BOOT TOTALLY BUSTED AND THE OTHER (DRIVER SIDE) LEAKING. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS. I FIND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. LEXUS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. WE'VE DRIVEN TOYOTA FOR OVER 25 YEARS. THIS IS OUR FIRST UPGRADE TO THE TOYOTA BRAND. THIS LEXUS WAS "BABIED" AND THAT WAS MY MAIN REASON TO BUY IT. I TOO "BABY' ALL OUR CARS AS WE KEEP THEM FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS. I'VE TAKEN THE LEXUS TO MY ASE MECHANIC THAT I'VE USED FOR 30 YEARS. HE IS GOING TO REPLACE THE RACK. MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT I SOLD HAD 360.000 MILES. NEVER A STEERING OR "BOOT" ISSUE..... MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH LEXUS AND SO FAR....NOT GOOD. I WILL KEEP THIS CAR AND HAVE MY MECHANIC DO A FULL SERVICE ON IT (BELTS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, TRANS OIL, ETC) SOMETHING I DO WITH ALL MY VEHICLES. BUT I'M NOT USED TO HAVING LARGE SAFETY ITEMS LIKE THIS FROM TOYOTA. DOMESTIC CAR MAKERS, YES, BUT NOT TOYOTA.....NOT RIGHT BY LEXUS! THE PREVIOUS OWNER COULD NOT HAVE SEEN THIS. IT'S BEEN THIS WAY FOR SOMETIME.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jun 26, 2018144,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE ESP, OIL, AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (TOM WOOD LEXUS, 4610 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240, (317)-580-6880) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLING LINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 1, 2018149,700 milesOH

THE RUBBER HOSE IN THE OIL LINE TO THE OIL COOLER FAILED, ALLOWING ALL ENGINE OIL TO QUICKLY LEAK OUT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE SEIZED AND POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WOULD HAVE BEEN INSTANTLY LOST... CREATING AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ON SURFACE ROADS AT 25-35 MPH WHEN MINE FAILED LEXUS KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND ELIMINATED THE RUBBER HOSE IN ITS 2011 MODELS BUT DID NOTHING TO WARN OWNERS OF THAT VEHICLE. NHTSA WAS ALSO AWARE AND ADDRESSED IN NHTSA ID 10056509 (POSSIBLY INCORRECT ID). I'M REALLY PISSED THAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME $500 TO FIX THIS LEXUS DEFECT, BUT I'M THANKFUL I HADN'T DRIVEN TO MY OFFICE THAT DAY USING INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS! ALL LEXUS VEHICLES HAVING THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 201835,000 milesFL

I NO LONGER HAVE THE CAR BUT WAS REPEATEDLY REPLACING THE BRAKES ROTORS, BRAKE PADS AND BRAKES THEMSELVES. LEXUS WAS TELLING ME THAT I WAS RIDING THE BRAKES TOO HARD AND ULTIMATELY I GOT RID OF THE CAR. I AM ONCE AGAIN SEEKING ANOTHER CAR BUT WOULD LOVE TO GET ANOTHER LEXUS SO I GOOGLED THE ISSUE, AND DISCOVERED MANY, MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE ON THIS AND OTHER MODELS AND RECEIVED THE SAME REPLY. I AM SHOCKED TO SEE THAT LEXUS CONTINUES NOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND/OR FIX THIS ISSUE. PERHAPS A GOVT AGENCY INVESTIGATION WOULD INSPIRE THEM TO RECTIFY IT ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 9, 201837,450 milesCA

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 LEXUS 350 IS CRACKING AND GETS STICKY WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE. THE LIFT TAB FOR THE BACK POWER DOOR IS TACKY LIKE TAR WHEN YOU TOUCH IT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 37,476 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR ESPECIALLY A LEXUS. I TOOK IT TO TUSTIN LEXUS ON SATURDAY 4/7/18 AND THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COULD NOT REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM LEXUS ADVISED ME OF THE ENHANCEMENT COVERAGE EVEN TO COVER CARS OUT WARRANTY. I BELIEVE LEXUS SHOULD REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. WE WERE LOOKING TO REPLACE OUR 2ND LEXUS GX460 WITH A NEW ONE BUT WE DECIDED WE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER LEXUS IF THEY CANNOT WARRANTY THE DEFECTS IN THEIR CARS.

Steering
Filed Mar 6, 201875,000 milesCA

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE AROUND AND NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME "LOOSE". THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. I FILLED IT BACK UP WITH ANTI-LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT A COUPLE MONTHS LATER I HAD IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE THE STEERING BECAME NOTICEABLY LOOSER. RACK AND PINION IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FROM BRAND NEW SINCE 2007 AND ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE (BASED UPON OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS). NORMAL CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 25, 2018115,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE BULBS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE STATUTE HAD EXPIRED TO RECEIVE A MANUFACTURER RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 9, 2018107,000 milesKS

INFORMED BY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF LEAK IN RACK AND PINION SYSTEM. NEEDS REPLACED. QUOTE APPROX 1800.00.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 6, 201730,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. TWO YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND REAR SEATS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED MOLD IN THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH AN ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF EDISON AT (732) 798-7948 (711 U.S. HIGHWAY 1, EDISON, NJ 08817) WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CARPET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO LEXUS OF EDISON WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Steering
Filed Nov 24, 201735,000 milesNY

MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING . THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING AND KEEPS DROPPING LOW. COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO LEXUS DEALER AT MASSEPUQUA, NY AND LATELY FARMINGDALE, NY NOW OVER PAST MANY YEARS .ON EVERY VISIT.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 5, 201720,000 milesAZ

MY DASH HAS SEVERAL MAJOR CRACKS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN CRACKS APPEARED. IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS I JUST BOUGHT THE LEXUS.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Nov 4, 201745,000 milesNV

I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN I FELT A QUICK ACCELERATION SURGING MY CAR FORWARD, LOCKING MY STEERING WHEEL CAUSING ME TO PLOW ONTO A PARKED TRUCK. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT.

Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2017150,621 milesNC

THE OIL COOLER PIPE ASSEMBLY ON THE ENGINE FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY CAUSING A SUDDEN LOST OF A LARGE VOLUME OF OIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET AND WAS ONLY NOTICED WHILE PARKING (A CO-WORKER SAW THE OIL POURING OUT OF THE CAR). THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 10/10/2017*JS

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Jul 20, 2017154,000 milesTN

SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUE. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 8 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE REVVED UP ON ITS OWN, JUMPED THE CURB, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT HURT OR HURT SOMEONE ELSE. THE EDR DOWNLOAD CLEARLY SHOWED MY RPMS JUMPED FROM 400 TO 2,000 IN NANOSECONDS AND THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS "OFF." TOYOTA'S RESPONSE TO ME WAS "WE FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF ANY TYPE OF DEFECT WITH THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKES." I AGREE IT IS NOT. IT IS NOT A BRAKE PEDAL OR ACCELERATOR ISSUE. IT IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE THAT CONTROLS THE FUEL TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER TOYOTA WAS FINED $1.2 BILLION (LARGEST EVER FINE TO AN AUTO MAKER), THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE SO THERE IS A BRAKE OVERRIDE IN CASE THIS HAPPENS. THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP NEVER MENTIONED THIS TO ME NOR HAVE I EVER RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF RECALL NOTICE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE SOFTWARE IN MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN UPDATED. TOYOTA IS "VERY SORRY ABOUT THIS UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT." PRETTY SAD WORDS FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED IN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 17, 2017FL

DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED NUMEROUS CRACKS, HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE FOGGED UP.

EngineFire
Filed May 16, 2017110,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND STATED THAT THE OIL COOLANT COIL CONTAINED A HOLE, WHICH CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER RECALL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 5, 201730,000 milesIN

POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD ON MANY OF THESE VEHICLES. THE REAR TAILGATE HANDLE HAS MELTED ON MANY OF THESE AND SHOULD NOT EXPIRE UNDER WARRANTY. A LEXUS FORUM HAS NUMEROUS COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY SOME DEALERSHIPS WOULD CHARGE UPWARDS OF $350+ TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE AND PERHAPS HAZARDOUS PART. I UNDERSTAND THE TOYOTA SIENNA HAS SIMILAR ISSUES WITH LIFTGATE. DO NOT NOT WHEN MELTING OF HANDLE BEGAN.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 10, 201750,000 milesNJ

HEAD LIGHT GOT MOISTURE IN SIDE BURNED OUT HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE HEAD LIGHT $2200.00 THIS HAD AN EXTENDED WARRENTY BUT I MISSED IT NEVER GOT NOTICE NOT MOVING

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 10, 201760,000 milesCA

THE RUBBER COVER OF THE LIFTGATE SENSOR MELTED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT CATCHING FIRE AND THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN WHEN THIS IS TOUCHED AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE BLACK RUBBER MELTS AND STICKS TO FINGERS AND IS HARD TO REMOVE. I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN WHO TRY AND OPEN THE DOOR AT TIMES. IT ALSO CAUSES THE SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION SINCE THE RUBBER PIECE INTERFERES WITH THE SENSOR. THIS VERY COMMON DEFECT SHOULD ELICIT A RECALL.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 22, 2017FL

I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM LEXUS IN 2014 REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF RX350 DASHBOARD DUE TO A COSMETIC MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN WHICH THE DASHBOARD BECOMES CRACKED AND MELTED/STICKY. IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 YEARS AND THE DASHBOARD HAS STILL NOT BEEN REPLACED DESPITE MANY ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT LEXUS, I AM TOLD THE PARTS ARE NOT IN YET AND THAT I AM SUPPOSEDLY ON THE LIST AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME AS SOON AS THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. MY CONCERN IS OVER TIME THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME WORSE, IT HAS BECOME EXTREMELY CRACKED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MAY AFFECT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.

Steering
Filed Feb 5, 201713,000 milesCA

RACK AND PINION LEAKS THAT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE LEXUS RX 350. THIS FAILURE IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE STEERING OIL COULD POTENTIALLY LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST AND CATCH FIRE AND SHOULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! LEXUS IS WELL AWARE THEY HAVE AN ONGOING SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEY NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL TO COVER THESE INSANE COSTS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 16, 2017FL

MELTING DASHBOARD RECALL NOTICE LAST YEAR ,FROM SCANLON FORT MYERS FLORIDA ,NO ACTION ON REPLACEMENT ,NO DATE OF REPLACEMENT SCANLON STATED NO INVENTORY FOR REPLACEMENT WE HAVE GLARE AND CONCERNED ABOUT AIR BAG AND WARNING LIGHTS EFFECTED WHAT DO WE DO MY EMAIL IS [XXX] TEL [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX] HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED KIND REGARDS IM RETIRED AGED 69. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 15, 2016IL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. THE NOISE WAS ONLY PRESENT FOR A FEW SECONDS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/09/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAM GEARS. POSSIBLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. UPDATED 7/6/18*JB *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 22, 2016AR

THE REAR DOOR HATCHBACK RUBBER HANDLE HAS MELTED & DRIPPED ON THE BUMPER. IF I TRY TO OPEN THE DOOR USING THE HANDLE, BLACK TARRY GOOP GETS ON MY HAND & VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OFF. THIS VEHICLE IS KEPT IN MY GARAGE IN ARKANSAS.

Engine
Filed Sep 12, 2016120,000 milesWI

WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET IN MADISON WI,SEVERE OIL LOSS DUE TO HOSE TO OIL COOLER. PART WAS CHANGED BY MANUFACTURER FROM RUBBER HOSE TO METAL. THIS TELLS ME THEY KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP IN MADISON WI SAYS THEY GET THIS REPAIR WEEKLY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 11, 2016140,000 milesAL

RADIO DOESN'T HAVE ANY SOUND / VOLUME. LIGHT IS ON, STATIONS ARE LISTED AND CD TRACKS APPEAR. CANNOT ADJUST BASE, TREBLE, OR ANY OTHER SETTINGS ALTHOUGH THEY APPEAR WITH "0". CHECKED ALL FUSES RELATED TO THE AUDIO SYSTEM, NONE BLOWN. JUST HAPPENED LAST WEEK WHETHER CAR IS MOVING ON STATIONARY.

Steering
Filed Aug 25, 201691,296 milesMT

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH LEXUS FOR NOT ADDRESSING THE RACK AND PINION LEAKS THAT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE RX 350 MODELS. I AM NOT ALONE IN REPORTING THIS FAILURE OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM TO NHTSA. THE LEXUS DEALER THAT I TAKE MY CAR FOR SERVICE FOUND THESE LEAKS AT AROUND 91,000 MILES. THE DEALER COULD NOT PROCEED WITH THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT AFTER DISCOVERING THE RACK AND PINION LEAKS. THE REPAIR COSTS THE DEALER ESTIMATED WAS $1320. I DO HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 23, 201674,400 milesFL

SUMMARY: THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND GETTING STICKY. WHILE READING ABOUT SOME OF THE LEXUS COMPLAINTS I SAW SEVERAL COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LIFT-GATE CONTROL ON THE BACK OF THE CAR MELTING. I CHECKED AND SURE ENOUGH SO IS MINE. I WENT TO USE IT AND MY FINGERS WENT RIGHT THROUGH. NOW IT IS TOTALLY USELESS. I WILL CALL LEXUS BUT DON'T EXPECT ANY ASSISTANCE. MY CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 75K MILES. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 1, 201615,000 milesFL

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND GETTING STICKY. WHILE READING ABOUT SOME OF THE LEXUS COMPLAINTS I SAW SEVERAL COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LIFTGATE CONTROL ON THE BACK OF THE CAR MELTING. I CHECKED AND SURE ENOUGH SO IS MINE. I WENT TO USE IT AND MY FINGERS WENT RIGHT THROUGH. NOW IT IS TOTALLY USELESS. I WILL CALL LEXUS BUT DON'T EXPECT ANY ASSISTANCE. MY CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 15K MILES.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jun 6, 201689,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 08/05/16*LJ *CN

Power Train
Filed May 26, 2016136,000 milesTN

AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE BRAKE CALIPERS, A BROKEN KEY, AND THE ENGINE OIL COOLING PIPE (WARRANTY) IN THE LAST YEAR, MY RX 350 IS HAVING TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WITH 136K MILES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR WITH THE LEXUS NAME AND PRICE. THE CAR IS HESITATING DURING SHIFTING CAUSING ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION YET, BUT WITH THE REVIEWS FOR SOME OLDER MODELS, I FEAR THIS IS COMING SOON. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED TO PAY THIS MUCH MONEY FOR A QUALITY CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST 250K+ MILES, AND HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH JUST 136K MILES ON IT. IT DOES NOT LIVE UP TO THE LEXUS QUALITY REPUTATION!

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 18, 201678,000 milesOH

THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT, HAS CONSISTENTLY FILLED UP WITH WATER, VIA WASHING THE CAR, RAINING, ETC., CAUSING IT TO FOG UP. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, AND TO GO GET IT FIXED, THEY WANT AN ARM AND A LET, THE CAR IS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION, WHY NOT HONOR THIS BY FIXING IT, YOU'VE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS! MY DAUGHTER JUST PURCHASED A 2015, THIS IS OUR 3RD LEXUS, WE LOVE THE CARS, NOW WHY DON'T YOU FIX WHAT IS WRONG, I CAN'T GO AROUND WITH A HEADLIGHT THAT IS NOT DAMAGED AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY LEXUS, "AH YES, WE'VE HAD COMPLAINTS BUT THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES?", KEEP IT UP, I'LL BUY A DIFFERENT CAR NEXT TIME! AND SO WILL FAMILY MEMBERS!

Electrical System
Filed Mar 5, 2016MD

SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WHITE GRANULES EMITTING FROM EVAPORATOR CORE THROUGH AIR VENTS WHEN HEAT/AC IS ON. CONCERN ABOUT HEALTH HAZARDS TO FAMILY FROM BREATHING PARTICLES.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 21, 201665,000 milesAZ

HATCH HANDLE FOR REAR DOOR MELTED. REAR INTERIOR MODULE BUCKLING.

Structure › Body1 injured
Filed Nov 30, 2015110,000 milesFL

RUBBER ON TAILGATE HANDLE MELTED. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS MAY BE A FIRE HAZARD. NOW THE TAILGATE GOES UP, AND THEN AUTOMATICALLY COMES RIGHT DOWN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE HEAVY TAILGATE HIT ME ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF PAIN AND SOME BLEEDING. I HAVE READ THAT THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. IT TENDS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOLER OUT.

Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed Oct 30, 201550,000 milesFL

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BEING LOADED THRU REAR DOOR. I USED CAR REMOTE TO OPEN REAR DOOR AND LOADED ITEMS INTO TRUNK. WITHOUT WARNING REAR DOOR STARTED CLOSING. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTEN AND HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. ON THIS OCCASION DOOR CAME SLAMMING DOWN ON MY HEAD CAUSING A BLOODY INJURY. I HAVE PHOTOS OF MY INJURY. LEXUS HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THIS PROBLEM IF NOT CORRECTED CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. THE REAR DOOR COMES DOWN QUICKLY AND IS VERY HEAVY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 29, 2015135,000 milesMD

THE REAR RUBBER COVER FOR THE LIFT GATE HAS MELTED.

Complaints 1-50 of 126, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20234100Routine
202210010Routine
20211100Routine
20207100Routine
201931300Routine
201818100Routine
201746301Fatalities reported
201658310Routine
201542120Routine
201415000Routine
201359131Fatalities reported
201233120Routine
201130120Routine
201094161Fatalities reported
200997010Routine
2008 — this page126040Routine
2007167110Routine
20060100Routine
20050100Routine
20040100Routine

Compare every RX350 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.