Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Lexus IS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2008 Lexus IS350. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel began to turn to the left independently and crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact's vehicle rolled over and landed on its roof before stopping. None of the air bags deploy upon impact. A bystander assisted the contact to exit the vehicle by breaking the front passenger side window with his foot. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact sustained bruising on her face and body. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the insurance company lot and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was serviced for the air bags recall however, the dealer only replaced the passenger's side air bag inflator and used masking tape for the engine hoses. …
The wiring harness for the front passenger airbag was recalled by lexus because it is too short and frequently becomes disconnected which disables the front passenger airbag and cause the air bag light to turn on on the instrument panel. Lexus sent a letter informing me of the recall, but it was sent to my parents house and I did not receive it in time. After finding the recall letter, the pandemic also prevented me from making it to the dealership in time. The letter they sent me also had no markings to indicate it was a recall or that the information inside was important in any way so the letter was easily ignored. I spoke with a lexus dealership and lexus corporate and they both refused to perform the safety repair because I was about 2 to 3 months past their deadline (June 2020?). …
Takata recall the local Lexus dealer and car maker, Lexus automobiles, are taking an unacceptably long time to remedy this life-threatening defect. This week I have received a letter from the car maker with a warning to not let anyone sit in the front passenger seat when the car IS being operated. This IS the second mailing I have received, and the problem IS described as more critical with each mailing. Since June of 2016 I have been on a waiting list with the local dealer to have the Takata device replaced. This delay IS not a reasonable period to wait. Furthermore the local dealer, Lexus of thousand oaks, IS not diligent in assigning people to the recall repair waiting list. My wife called the dealer twice in early 2016 and was assured that our car was assigned. I visited the dealer in summer of 2016 and found that our car was not on the dealer recall repair list. …
I received a letter about a recall after being told I will receive a call back. After a few weeks I contacted Lexus set a date of service was given a rent a car by Lexus was told for free but I paid a deposit. Lexus has refunded me my money after I pick up my car a loud noise was coming from the dash I contacted Lexus via email and scheduled a date was told that they forgot to close a lid and that what was making the noise that time they gave me a Lexus loaner not a rent a car. But it's still making that noise my car never made that noise I go in for a recall service and it feels like I should have never gone now I'm scared to drive to not break anything the noise happens when I turn the ac on ether parked or drive I have video of the noise
Takata recall I am in zone b and my car IS approaching its ten year mark. I took my car in today and asked the sales assistant if there were any updates about the airbag recall and he told me, "no". What IS supposed to save me in an accident can now kill me. I am very disappointed in the amount of time this has taken and the response to consumer concern. Please put pressure on Toyota and Takata to fix our airbags.
Airbag warning light came on. Dealer says faulty instrument panel wire harness which renders my airbags inoperable. Cost to repair IS $3,600 with Lexus of carlsbad. $2,000 for the part alone and $1,600 for labor. This seems like a safety related manufacturing defect that Lexus will not take responsibility for.
Received notice of recall with no remedy, telling me not to operate vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat, this IS impossible with 3 children and this IS only car. They need to provide me a loaner vehicle until they have a remedy. I need immediate solution
Takata recall. We were told by Lexus 8 months ago not to allow anyone to drive in the passengers seat. Since we always ride together we can no longer use the car. It does not make sense that we bought a car this expensive we can no longer use.
Got a airbag light on when I started my car this morning. Everything IS intact. Was reading forums about it. Says this problem IS very common. Please let me know I did not take a picture. But if needed I can take a picture and send it to you.
Airbag light keeps going on and off. Looked up on google. A lot of people are having this issue. I filed for a complaint before and got no response.
Airbag complaints in other IS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Lexus IS?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Lexus IS, 21% of the model year's 102 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Lexus IS airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Lexus IS, though it has 3 recalls for other components. 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 IS airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.