Most common 2008 Lexus LS problems
Share of the 43 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus LS complaints by model year
Best LS years: 2013, 2012, 2011. Years to avoid: 2018, 2006. Compare all years →
2008 Lexus LS recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota is recalling 214,570 my 2006-2008 Lexus is, my 2006-2007 gs and my 2007-2008 ls passenger vehicles equipped with aluminum fuel delivery pipes (fuel rails). Ethanol fuels with a low moisture content will corrode the internal surface of the fuel rails.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during February 2009. Owners May contact Toyota/Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
What 2008 Lexus LS owners say
Brakes all 21 →
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus LS460. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle off the roadway onto a grassy shoulder to slow the vehicle to prevent a crash. The contact then called the dealer and was advised to enter a code in the vehicle and drive slowly to the dealer. After arriving at the dealer and having the vehicle diagnosed, the contact was informed that the brake actuator and assembly needed to be replaced; however, the repair would be an out of pocket expense. The manufacturer was contacted and provided her with a loaner vehicle however, it was stated that she still had to pay for the vehicle to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus LS460. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, there was a knocking and ticking sound coming from the brakes. Additionally, the brake light, traction control light, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The ABS, Brakes, and VSC messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the brake actuator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Body & structure
This problem is a known issue and is commonly referred to "melting dash" or "stick interior panels". There is a TSB l-sb-0144-11. The problem is that the interior vinyl panels start disintegrating or melting in hot climates. This includes the door panels and the dash. The surface of these panels becomes sticky and soft. This is a known problem on many Toyota vehicles between the years 2007-2012. However, Toyota/Lexus has extended the warranty to fix this problem only for the 2007 vehicles and vehicles from following years are not covered, even though they have the same exact problem. The complaint is that the extended warranty does not cover cars from years 2008-2012. Use of vehicles with this condition under hot/sunny weather conditions becomes difficult and messy, particularly in areas such as florida. …
Interior door panels and glove compartment become sticky and shiny when the car is in the sun for any period of time. Lexus used inferior materials and is not standing behind their defect. This reflects poorly, especially for a presumably luxury brand.
Speed control & acceleration
My 2008 Lexus ls600hl has a defective brake actuator. Lexus is aware of the issue on these cars and put out a warranty enhancement on the actuator but only for certain LS that fall within a certain VIN# range. My vehicle VIN did not make it into the warranty enhancement but is experiencing the issues stated in the enhancement letter down to the t. All started yesterday when I almost totaled out because the brakes completely failed when I was driving on the highway at 50mph. Lights came on the dash and I could not stop the vehicle. I was able to run onto the shoulder of the road while downshifting the car to slow it down eventually getting it to a stop with minimal damage to my car. Found out later after getting it towed it needs a brake actuator. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lexus ls460. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the vsc (vehicle stability control) warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on several occasions the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was unresponsive while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact then depressed the accelerator to the floorboard and the vehicle responded and exceeded safe driving speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics where the cause of the failure was not determined. Herrin-gear Lexus located at (1685 high st, jackson, ms 39202) was contacted and informed of the failure. …
2008 Lexus LS engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8-cyl hybrid | 8-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 22 / 21 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Lexus LS a good car?
Based on 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 LS rates average: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the LS at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Lexus LS?
The brakes — 21 complaints, 49% of all complaints for this model year, most often about power assist › electric › solenoid/actuator. Next are the body & structure (5) and speed control & acceleration (5).
How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus LS have?
There is 1 recall for the 2008 Lexus LS, the most recent from January 16, 2009 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lexus LS?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2012 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018 and 2006. See the full Lexus LS years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Lexus LS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 27% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.