Most common 2008 Lexus SC problems
Share of the 1 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lexus SC complaints by model year
Best SC years: 2003, 2004, 2006. Compare all years →
2008 Lexus SC recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Lexus SC:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
2008 Lexus SC engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Lexus SC a good car?
Based on 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA, the 2008 SC rates few complaints: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the SC 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 SC?
The body & structure — 1 complaint, 100% of all complaints for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2008 Lexus SC have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2008 Lexus SC, the most recent from March 3, 2016 (inflator module). 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 SC?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003, 2004 and 2006. See the full Lexus SC years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Lexus SC problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 30,000 miles; 100% 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.