Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Lexus ES owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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.
My driver side door was hit by someone going approximately 40 MPH as I turned a corner going 5 MPH. The impact threw me approximately 100 feet into a block wall and not one single airbag deployed. My head broke the driver door window....updated 07/30/15
Takata recall - I was contacted by the car dealership on May 23, 2016, that our car had defective air bags and would be notified when a remedy was available. After seven months of waiting to hear when the remedy would be available, I called the dealership on nov.01,2016, to inquire when the problem would be fixed. The answer was "we don't know, but we think parts will be available in late December 2016. I have read that some 90% of Honda cars with the same airbag problem,have been repaired. Seven months of having to drive an unsafe Lexus product seems totally excessive and irresponsible. More accurate fix dates and alternatives should be provided to the vehicle owner by the dealership.
I was informed by state farm insurance that my 2008 Lexus es350 does not qualify for an airbag discount because they have determined that the airbags are unsafe on this model. I have checked the NHTSA recall database and there are no recalls on this model. What does state farm know that you do not. I do not want to drive an unsafe automobile. Please respond.
Takata recall I received a letter dated May 23, 2016 indicating that the front passenger airbag inflator on my 2008 Lexus ES 350 needs to be replaced. I live in zone a, the highest risk area. I have called three times over the past 10 months to my local Lexus dealers, and their response has been "we have received only a few parts so far." "you will be notified when there are more parts in." my wife and I have just this one car, and having one of us sitting in the back seat each time we drive the car for the last 10 months has been very difficult. We are both seniors. Is there anything you can do to have one of the local dealers in san diego county replace the airbag very soon. Thanks for your help on this.
Takata recall: I contacted the dealer I purchased the car from 2 times in the past 4 months, most recently on October 25, 2017 and was told that they have still have not received the parts. I believe this May be the case because Takata and its affiliates are now in chapter 11. No one there can tell me anything about the timeframe for the parts being delivered to the service department at the Lexus of rockville centre in rockville centre, ny. The recall notice was issued in January 2017. Hundreds if not thousands of consumers like myself are driving with air bags that can explode and potential kill the car's occupants.
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?
There is still no remedy available for my car. I live in zone 1! My car is nine years old and still Lexus has not made an airbag replacement for any of the ES models! Why? Other car manufacturers have fixed their cars. Not acceptable. Nhsta needs to get on Lexus/Toyota to get this done. This is beyond ridiculous. This is my teenagers car. How many more deaths do we need in order to get this done? Until Lexus is forced to comply in a reasonable time, they will not. We are getting close to a year now. Unacceptable!!!!
Airbag complaints in other ES years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Lexus ES?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Lexus ES, 54% of the model year's 68 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Lexus ES airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Lexus ES. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Lexus ES airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.