2008 Lexus RX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 21%of 70 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,366miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Lexus RX, 21% of the 70 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,366 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vvt-I rubber oil line ruptured leaking all 6 quarts of oil out of engine, causing catastrophic engine damage while driving in 2008 Lexus rx350 toyota should have never put a rubber hose on an oil line with 80psi and they should have issued a recall. The Lexus dealer has never advised me of potential problem. They should have to repair my engine. Furious at toyota for cutting costs!”
NHTSA complaint #11266912, filed 2019-10, 15 miles“On june 3rd, 2020 I got my 2008 Lexus RX 350 serviced for 115,000 mile service at johnson Lexus of raleigh. I have had my car serviced religiously at the same dealer since I bought it brand new in 2008. It cost about $250, on june 13th I noticed large amount of engine oil under the car. The car had not been driven more than 50 miles after service. The engine had a strange sound. I checked the oil level in the engine and there was no oil at all.there were no warning lights on the dash. I had the car towed to the dealer at my own expense. …”
NHTSA complaint #11329818, filed 2020-06, 114,366 miles“My oil line burst on my Lexus RX 350 SUV and caused severe engine damage as a result. This is a very large leak which covers the ground, engine, and undercarriage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11152275, filed 2018-11, 77,000 miles“I have regularly maintained my Lexus RX at an independent Lexus shop. While the car was parked/running, the engine suddenly, without any warning noise or dashboard alert, stopped. After the car failed to restart, I suspected it needed a battery jump. However after replacing the battery, the car still did not start. The car was towed to an independent Lexus shop-davenport, where it was discovered that valve springs had dropped and caused the engine to seize/lock. The shop notified me that I would need to either get a new engine or have it repaired, both options would cost >$8500usd. …”
NHTSA complaint #11112447, filed 2018-07, 120,000 miles“The oil cooler line developed a pin hole leak in it in which in a matter of minutes the car was completely out of oil in which the engine started making grinding noises until I stopped the car. This happened on my 2008 Lexus and looking into the issue, Lexus changed the design of the part in 2011 after concerns of failure of this part. There was a section of the part that was a rubber hose in between two metal lines. Lexus changed this part to make it one whole metal line in 2011. For some reason from 2007 to 2011 this part was not recalled and still has the rubber hose oil line on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11032751, filed 2017-10, 104,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10179601Aug 5, 2020TSB: Vehicles may display evidence of a fluid leak or fluid seep from powertrain components. This bulletin explains how to determine the differences between a fluid leak versus a…
- 10164328Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev1: G1668 Applicability has been updated to include 2019 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles. G2158 The Techstream Preparation and Process…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 4 | 18% |
| 2024 | 8 | 13% |
| 2023 | 11 | 18% |
| 2022 | 3 | 10% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 5 | 11% |
| 2019 | 7 | 21% |
| 2018 | 4 | 15% |
| 2017 | 10 | 21% |
| 2016 | 5 | 18% |
| 2015 | 5 | 25% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 3 | 25% |
| 2011 | 10 | 34% |
| 2010 | 21 | 27% |
| 2009 | 9 | 26% |
| 2008 | 15 | 21% |
| 2007 | 8 | 14% |
| 2006 | 8 | 25% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 8% |
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 Lexus RX
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Lexus RX
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology