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Lexus RX HybridModel year report

2008 Lexus RX Hybrid Problems

Complaints
57filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
56,000miles, 49 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden acceleration while parking or pulling in, and some tie the surges to the switch between battery and gasoline power. Brake and ABS problems are the next most common theme, including braking that is interrupted over bumps, and a smaller group reports hybrid system stalls while driving. Complaint volume for this model year is trending down, and reported mileage ranges from the low thousands to over 200,000 miles.

  1. Vehicle speed control

    Sudden acceleration, often while parking

    • 15 complaints (26%)
    • median 30,358 mi at 2.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
    • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2008–2016

    Owners describe the car suddenly accelerating when pulling into a parking space, backing up, or turning at low speed, even with the foot on the brake. Many say the car jumped a curb or hit a wall, and some describe braking that did not slow the car. Some dealers could not reproduce the problem, and some complaints tie surges to the switch between battery and gasoline power. Where mileage is listed, it ranges from about 2,000 to 99,000 miles, and the complaints were filed between 2008 and 2016.

    What to check: During a test drive in an empty lot, brake firmly at low speed and confirm the car slows fully and the throttle returns to idle when the pedal is released. Ask the dealer to scan for stored throttle and hybrid codes.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “It was friday morning about 10am. I had a pulled slowly into quest diagnostic laboratory parking space. I had my foot on the brake. I was stopped I was putting the car into the park position when the car suddenly accelerated forward at the high rate of speed. The car went over the cement block and pavement and thru the double doors and inside the building finally stopping when I hit the receptionist counter.”

    NHTSA complaint #10840420, filed 2016-03, 99,000 miles

    “While attempting to back into a parking space, accelerator stuck in down position, brakes locked up, engine accelerated to very fast rate, steering would not respond resulting in my car slamming into front end of car parked behind me at a high rate of speed. My car then accelerated forward continuing at a very high rate of speed across parking lot and hitting another car broadside which finally stopped my car. My car was a total loss as deemed by my insurance company.”

    NHTSA complaint #10825201, filed 2016-02, 56,000 miles
  2. Brakes

    ABS warnings and brakes that do not stop as expected

    • 29 complaints (51%)
    • median 56,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
    • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2022

    Owners describe ABS or brake warning lights, grinding or vibration in the pedal, and brakes that need extra pressure or do not respond as expected. Some complaints say a brake actuator or accumulator pump was diagnosed as faulty and needed replacement, and a few describe a crash after the brakes did not slow the car. In some cases the car stalled with warning lights on, and the dealer could not repeat the problem. Where mileage is listed, it ranges from about 16,900 to 239,995 miles, and complaints were filed between 2010 and 2022.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask the dealer to scan for stored brake and ABS codes and to review the brake actuator service history. On a test drive, watch for ABS, brake, or traction warning lights and for any grinding or vibration when the pedal is pressed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was coming back from my first oil change from crown Lexus dealer. I was pulling into a parking space and the car would not stop even when my foot is on the brake. I tried to steer away from the concrete wall in front but the front left side still hit the wall. The car was damaged and the wall is damaged. The cost of the damaged is 9,000-10,000. Right now is being fixed by my insurance company. The model of the car is Lexus rx400h year 2008.”

    NHTSA complaint #10298735, filed 2010-01, 27,120 miles

    “My vehicle was in motion and failed to properly break which therefore ended hitting an older model bmw at approx 45mph. The airbags inflated sending some type of metal shards to my right lower abdomen that resulted in massive bleeding.”

    NHTSA complaint #11082305, filed 2018-03, 87,000 miles
  3. Brakes

    Brakes surge, cut out, or lose effect over bumps

    • 15 complaints (26%)
    • median 20,500 mi at 2.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2010–2019

    Owners describe braking that is interrupted over bumps, potholes, or uneven pavement, so the car lurches, surges, or seems to speed up for a moment before the brakes take hold again. The problem is described on wet roads and at moderate speeds, and some report it since they first bought the car. Some dealers found nothing wrong or said the car was operating as designed. Where mileage is listed, it ranges from about 3,000 to 87,000 miles, and complaints were filed between 2010 and 2015.

    What to check: On a test drive over a rough or wet stretch, brake gently and watch for any lurch, surge, or pulsing. Ask the dealer to check for stored brake codes and to confirm the brake service history.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have noticed this issue a couple of times over the 7 years I have had the car (since it was new), most recently yesterday: when I am traveling at medium speeds, say 30-45 MPH, and I hit a bump it feels like I get a little push in the butt . Sort of like a forward skid. So then I apply the brakes a bit. Don't know how else to describe this. My husband says that he can't feel it when he is a passenger.”

    NHTSA complaint #10788154, filed 2015-11, 87,160 miles

    “I own a 2008 Lexus 400h hybrid purchased as new last year. Almost immediately we noticed a problem with the brakes when stopping over bumpy surfaces -- it was almost as if the brake disengaged while trying to stop. We brought it back to the dealer, who assured us everything was working properly. They even brought in a national expert to evaluate and we again were told the car was working as it should. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10306241, filed 2010-02, 3,000 miles
  4. Electrical system

    Hybrid system stalls or loses power while driving

    • 8 complaints (14%)
    • median 89,985 mi at 9.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2009–2022

    Owners describe the hybrid system or engine stalling while driving or reversing, often with hybrid, check engine, or brake warning lights on. Some say the car would not restart and had to be towed, and a complaint believes a hybrid module failure matches an earlier recall. In another complaint, the dealer replaced an electronic control unit after power steering and propulsion were lost. Where mileage is listed, it ranges from about 18,100 to 268,000 miles, and most of the listed figures are above 78,000 miles.

    Recall 13V396000

    What to check: Ask the dealer to scan for stored hybrid and powertrain codes and to check whether the inverter recall 13V396000 has been completed. On a test drive, watch for any hybrid or check engine warning that appears during acceleration or reversing.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was driving at 70 MPH on us290. Without warning, the engine suddenly shut down and the dashboard display went blank (except for the navigation system). I was unable to restart the car. There was a message to check the acv system. I tightened the gas tank cap and was able to restart. A complete shutdown without warning is very dangerous.”

    NHTSA complaint #10293889, filed 2009-11, 18,100 miles

    “A moment of terror in my Lexus 2008 rx400h on may 01 I was driving home from work. On busy route 111 in nh. In heavy traffic I lost all power. All the lights on the instrument panel went on. It was almost a multicar pileup. With screeching tires and cars making panic stops it was a wonder that nobody was hurt.”

    NHTSA complaint #10523446, filed 2013-07, 89,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to test braking and throttle response at low speed in an empty lot before buying, and ask for brake and hybrid service records. A pre-purchase inspection that checks for stored brake, ABS, and hybrid codes is a practical step.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 51 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 57 consumer complaints for the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid. 49 of the complaints include a mileage, and 49% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,000 miles. Of all complaints, 18 involved a crash, 10 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 148 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: Fuel system (2), Hybrid propulsion system (2), Other or unknown (2), Wheels (2), Engine cooling (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I recently purchased (07/17/12) a 2008 used rx400h, I quickly noticed that while braking if the road has any bumps or unevenness the vehicle surges forward during the braking process and then resumes braking after the surge. This happens consistently when there are any bumps in the pavement. This is very frightening as it could easily cause an accident since the braking is interrupted and the car actually accelerates when it should be slowing down! …”

NHTSA complaint #10471404, filed 2012-08, 49,246 miles

Vehicle speed control: “I was driving a Lexus rx 400h in a parking lot. When I turned left into the parking spot and engaged the brakes while pulling into the parking spot. At that time, I felt the car continue to accelerate and ended up hitting and going over the parking cement curb and the car stopped between the curb and the sidewalk after I slammed on the brakes as hard as I could. I contacted the dealership, they looked at the vehicle and said they could not repeat the incident and found nothing wrong with the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10302442, filed 2010-01, 23,200 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2008 Lexus rx400. While the contact was driving into a parking space the vehicle suddenly surged forward without warning causing the vehicle to crash into a wall. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the failure could not be reproduced. There were no prior warnings. The consumer stated when she exited the vehicle and walked around it, suddenly the windows and moonroof opened. Updated 04/05/10. Updated 4/30/10 updated 07/09/10.”

NHTSA complaint #10315189, filed 2010-03, 16,128 miles

Steering: “While driving on a city street, I lost power steering completely. P/s and brake dash lights came on along with service hybrid system and service awd system . After a few more miles the vehicle lost complete propulsion power and I was forced to pull out of traffic. I turned off the vehicle and it started fine with no power steering. I made the next mile to the dealership. They replaced the ecu that had shorted out due to a bad steering rack. I am not sure why the electronic steering mechanism would cause complete loss of power from the engine/hybrid system?”

NHTSA complaint #10808077, filed 2015-12, 90,650 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

49% of the 49 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,900 and 87,160 miles.

10%0–1027%10–2512%25–5014%50–7522%75–1008%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (49 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 56,000 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.

’0920’11’13’15’17’19’22
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.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid → · 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. 148 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 148 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lexus RX Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20171018,0000———Not enough data
2016733,5002———Not enough data
2015514,6930———Not enough data
20131248,0230———Not enough data
20111288,9000———Not enough data
2010861,0001———Not enough data
20085756,0001——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20075958,0003——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200615475,0005——Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lexus RX Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid?

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden acceleration while parking or pulling in, and some tie the surges to the switch between battery and gasoline power. The issues reported most often: Sudden acceleration, often while parking; ABS warnings and brakes that do not stop as expected; Brakes surge, cut out, or lose effect over bumps.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 57 consumer complaints for the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 22 complaints (39% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 19.

Has the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid reported?

Among the 49 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,000 miles and the middle half falls between 16,900 and 87,160 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 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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.