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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2008 Lexus ES350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
1%of 255 total for the year
Median mileage
49,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Lexus ES350, 1% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,500 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was making a right turn onto a busy street and accelerated hard with my 2008 es 350 Lexus. After accelerating to 45mph I stopped applying pressure to the accelerator pedal but the car continued to accelerate up to 80mph while going up hill and my foot was completely off the accelerator pedal. I tried to see if the pedal was stuck by lifting the accelerator pedal with my foot but the car continued to accelerate. I was approaching an intersection and used both feet to apply firm pressure to the brake pedal. …”

NHTSA complaint #10303333, filed 2010-01, 7,000 miles

“We currently have allstate for insurance and they have this item called the drivewise. This device fits in the obd ii port under the steering column. This device created multiple communications errors within the computers for the car. After reading up on this, it seems that many people are having this issue in many makes/models. The vehicle shifted funny into another gear on its own. The instrument cluster was not working and would not light up. The radio would not work at all and the sunroof was making a funny noise. The speakers were making a crackling sound and the A/C wasn't working. …”

NHTSA complaint #10598044, filed 2014-06, 92,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201516%
201314%
200911%
200821%
2007336%

Other parts of the 2008 Lexus ES350

Air bags
170 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Lexus ES350

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology