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Lexus LS460Model year report

2008 Lexus LS460 Problems

Complaints
79filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
52,475miles, 68 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Lexus LS460 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Most 2008 LS 460 complaints in this sample center on the brake system, particularly the brake actuator assembly, which owners describe through clicking or knocking noises, warning lights, and in some cases a firmer pedal or longer stopping distance. A second recurring theme is interior trim — sticky or melting dashboard and door panel surfaces — and a smaller number describe hesitation or delayed acceleration and fuel odor. Reported mileages vary widely, from under 20,000 to well over 100,000 miles.

  1. Brakes

    Brake actuator noise and warning lights

    • 29 complaints (37%)
    • median 75,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (26 state mileage)
    • filed 2010–2023

    Owners describe a click, series of clicks, or a knocking/clunking sound when the brake pedal is pressed and released, sometimes with the car stationary. Many report multiple brake, ABS, TRAC, and VSC warning messages appearing, occasionally with instructions to stop and contact a dealer, and some describe a pedal that feels firm or requires more effort to stop. Complaints say dealers diagnosed the brake actuator assembly and that a warranty enhancement program covering it existed but had expired for their vehicle. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 130,000 miles, with several under 60,000 miles.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the brake actuator assembly has been replaced or covered under the extended warranty program, and request any related service records. During a test drive, listen for clicking or knocking when pressing and releasing the pedal and confirm no ABS/VSC warning lights appear.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When driving on a highway, warning lights check ABS check vsc system check brake system brake malfunction stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately. Contact a dealer suddenly came on and a 5 other lights also came up. It was scary me so much. I had to pull over and stop. After checking to sure the brake still function, I slowly drive home with the emergency light on. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10863509, filed 2016-05, 114,830 miles

    “I am experiencing a click or series of clicks when I depress the brake pedal. Based on accounts and research of other owners, this is a common problem with faulty brake actuators. It appears that Lexus is aware of the situation and I wanted to report this to the NHTSA database to potentially steer this towards a recall.”

    NHTSA complaint #10654335, filed 2014-11, 53,950 miles
  2. Body and structure

    Sticky, melting dashboard and interior trim

    • 8 complaints (10%)
    • median 115,000 mi at 10.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2015–2021

    Owners report that the dashboard surface and door trim panels become sticky and shiny, and in some cases crack or emit a tar-like residue, with the glare off the dashboard making it hard to see through the windshield in direct sun. Some mention a foul odor and concern about fumes. Complaints say dealers attributed it to a chemical reaction in the material and that a customer support program for the dashboard had expired for their vehicle. Reported from about 30,000 miles upward, often in hot, humid, sunny climates.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Inspect the dashboard and door panels in daylight for shine, stickiness, or cracking, and ask whether the dashboard customer support program was applied or has expired.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My dash panel and door handles are melting in the sun. The dash panel is especially problematic as it is extruding a shiny clear tar like substance that causes a significant glare visibility problem while driving into the sun, causing me to nearly miss another vehicle turning in front of me at an intersection.”

    NHTSA complaint #11191971, filed 2019-03, 205,000 miles

    “My car has a sticky dashboard and door panels as well as the black button that opens the trunk when the weather is hot or humid. Anything that is made of that material is sticky and gets this weird black stuff everywhere. The shiny reflective surface that the dashboard is a safety hazard for myself and other drivers. Every time I get in my car I cough, so I am afraid that harmful chemicals may be emitted. Please help investigate!”

    NHTSA complaint #11048326, filed 2017-11, 36,000 miles
  3. Brakes

    Brake pedal pulsation or lurching at low speed

    • 11 complaints (14%)
    • median 61,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2010–2019

    Owners describe the car pulsing or lurching while braking gently to a stop, as though the pedal is being pressed and released even though pressure is steady, sometimes with a skidding sound and a hard final stop. Others report vibration or pulsation through the pedal or steering wheel when braking lightly at highway speeds. Some say the dealer found no problem or attributed it to aftermarket pads. Typically reported between about 40,000 and 90,000 miles during low-speed stops or light braking at highway speed.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Test the brakes at both low speed and around 65-75 mph with light pedal pressure, and ask whether any brake vibration or pulsation service bulletin procedure was performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I noticed that when I push the brakes I hear clicking noise and brakes acts heavily. I did a research on this issue and I found many complaints from Lexus owners. Some owners were lucky to have Lexus dealer replace the ABS actuator for them and other not. Lexus dealers told some LS460 owners that they changed the vendor of the ABS actuator due a malfunction error. Currently I'm concerned to drive the car on the highway as a fear to loose braking power. I tried to contact Lexus but they don't care. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10691294, filed 2015-02, 87,000 miles

    “I had remarked to the local dealer that it made a clunk noise when starting the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal. This was at 63k mi when I purchased it. I was told it was normal. Approximately 1 year and 10k mi. After I started to experience squealing when braking. I was told by the dealer that no issues were found and that it was most likely caused by cheap aftermarket brakes. I brought the vehicle in for the brakes again and was told that they found nothing wrong, probably just cheap pads. Approximately 3k mi. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10764616, filed 2015-09, 65,000 miles
  4. Other or unknown

    Hesitation or delayed acceleration after oil changes

    • 5 complaints (6%)
    • median 30,400 mi at 3.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2010–2014

    Owners describe intermittent hesitation when accelerating: the engine revs but the car does not pick up speed for several seconds before engaging, which they say is most noticeable when merging or pulling into traffic. Some link it to the period after an oil change and report the dealer could not find a cause or advised that behavior was normal. Reported from as low as a few thousand miles up to roughly 45,000 miles, often shortly after an oil change.

    Recall 10V309000

    What to check: During a test drive, try a firm acceleration from a rolling start and ask whether the vehicle had the valve spring recall performed and whether any drivability concerns were reported before.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After a manufacture recall for the valve spring replacement, I had my first oil change. Directly after the oil change, I noticed that around 35 MPH when I needed to pass a vehicle, I would step on the gas (most of the time pushing the accelerator pedal to the floor) the car was very sluggish and unresponsive. It would take about 10 seconds for the vehicle to slowly accelerate and then the car would take off with the rpms climbing near red line until I released my foot off the accelerator. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10506001, filed 2013-04, 68,000 miles

    “This has happened over 5 times since owning the vehicle. After oil changes and off/on throughout owning the car it will have a hesitation on the acceleration. It will have high RPM's, but it is not going anywhere (loud engine noise). This is very dangerous if it decides to do this when passing someone on the highway and this morning it did it while pulling out into traffic and almost got hit as the vehicle did not move.”

    NHTSA complaint #10610760, filed 2014-07, 43,500 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the brake system, including actuator function and warning lights, since that is where most complaints in this sample concentrate. Also check the dashboard and door trim condition and confirm which open recalls and extended-coverage programs have been completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 79 consumer complaints for the 2008 Lexus LS460. 68 of the complaints include a mileage, and 49% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,475 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 163 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (3), Air bags (2), Wheels (2), Seats (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “While in motion, brakes started pulsating and clicking , then brake pedal feel got very firm and had difficulty stopping, almost resulting in accident. Toyota has released warranty enhancement program for the brake actuator assembly, but my vehicle is just beyond the 10yr/150k mile period. I feel this is a serious safety matter and NHTSA should have worked with toyota on a safety recall remedy. If brakes fail, the consumers will be seriously injured or die. Vehicle only has 60k miles and this is a known defect!”

NHTSA complaint #11222213, filed 2019-06, 59,500 miles

Other or unknown: “This automobile many inside plastic panels are melting liquefying and we are very concerned that are releasing toxic fumes. It is my wife's car and she has a lot of cough this year, contacted Lexus/toyota and they say are not toxic, but we do not believe them, please find correspondence for the last several months. We ask you if you have a laboratory where this car can analyse the air interior, we found one but they want to charge $750 to do the test. …”

NHTSA complaint #11005567, filed 2017-07, 25,000 miles

Electrical system: “I was advised that the water in the wheel well had compromised the electrical components of the vehicle and may have caused electrical fire damage if this deficiency had not been found. Please provide a copy of the inspection report which was performed at the harvey Lexus of shreveport bossier dealership on 4/14/15, with regard to the 2008 Lexus ls 460 (6/10 inches of water in wheel well, brake actuator/control module knocking sound, sensor and personal property damages) which I purchased at Lexus of new orleans on 3/15/15. …”

NHTSA complaint #10706614, filed 2015-04, 61,000 miles

Body and structure: “As I was driving into my home garage, my car suddenly accelerated on its own and eventually crashed in the back wall of the garage. Depressing the brakes failed to stop the vehicle before crashing. Prior to the crashing incident, the unintended acceleration happened at least two other times but the vehicle eventually stopped before an impact. Around the end of march 2014, my brake lights came on and I then took the car to toyota for repairs. Thereafter, I reported the crash incident to Lexus who then had the vehicle inspected on april 9, 2014. …”

NHTSA complaint #10641793, filed 2014-10, 1 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

49% of the 68 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 87,000 miles.

13%0–107%10–2528%25–5018%50–7513%75–10013%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (68 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 52,475 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’08’1014’12’1414’16’18’21’23
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Lexus LS460 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
LS 460 RWD4.6L 8-cyl8-speed automatic162419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Lexus LS460 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 163 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 163 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus LS460

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2014830,3061—19—Not enough data
2013921,0001—19—Not enough data
2011548,0000—19—Not enough data
20101733,5002—19—Falling
20091081,2222—19—Not enough data
20087952,4752—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20077466,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus LS460 model years

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus LS460?

Most 2008 LS 460 complaints in this sample center on the brake system, particularly the brake actuator assembly, which owners describe through clicking or knocking noises, warning lights, and in some cases a firmer pedal or longer stopping distance. The issues reported most often: Brake actuator noise and warning lights; Sticky, melting dashboard and interior trim; Brake pedal pulsation or lurching at low speed.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Lexus LS460 have?

NHTSA recorded 79 consumer complaints for the 2008 Lexus LS460 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Lexus LS460 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 33 complaints (42% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 9.

Has the 2008 Lexus LS460 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Lexus LS460 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Lexus LS460 (LS 460, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Lexus LS460 reported?

Among the 68 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,475 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 87,000 miles; 49% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.