Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2008 Lexus RX Hybrid Electrical system Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
9%of 57 total for the year
Median mileage
20,050miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid, 9% of the 57 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,050 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“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

“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

“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

“The contact owns a 2008 Lexus rx400h. While driving 25 MPH and applying the brakes the lack of electricity in the battery caused the contact to apply excessive pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. Within minutes the brakes began to function normally since the battery recharged by pumping the brakes. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer twice for a diagnostic test and both times the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact is concerned that the failure could in the braking system could cause a crash to occur. The failure mileage was 22,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10305451, filed 2010-02, 22,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017440%
2016114%
2015360%
2011217%
2010225%
200859%
2007814%
20062919%

Other parts of the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid

Brakes
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid

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.

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