2008 Lexus RX350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about two wear-and-age patterns: a power steering rack that develops leaks (usually found during routine service) and interior plastic parts — dashboard pad and rear liftgate handle — that crack or turn sticky and gooey over time. Engine oil cooler line failures and headlights that take on moisture also come up, and several complaints describe unintended acceleration events.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering rack and pinion leak

   • 19 complaints (15%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,600 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2018

   Complaints describe power steering fluid leaking from the rack and pinion, often first noticed by a dealer during routine maintenance or an alignment, with quotes for replacement commonly in the $1,300-$1,800 range. Several owners say a torn boot or low fluid level was the visible sign, and some report noise while driving. Owners frequently note they found many similar reports online and ask why no campaign covers it. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 105,000 miles, with several in the 50,000-90,000 range.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the steering rack boots for tears and check power steering fluid level and color before purchase; ask for service records showing whether the rack has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There was a torn power steering boot on the rack. The torn should be there for a while. I purchased a 100k miles warranty when I bought the car but the Lexus dealers never mentioned or pointed out about the damage until the 100k miles warranty ran out. As soon as the warranty ran out, I got informed that the power steering boot on the rack got torn and it will cost me $1600.”

   NHTSA complaint #10702277, filed 2015-03, 104,542 miles

   “I was told I need a new rack & pinon due to leakage with less than 92,000 miles on the vehicle. I bought the car used just 2 years ago and had all regular maintenance records from previous owner & dealer service. Have had regular service since purchasing it - which is how issue was discovered. Will cost over $1500 to repair. Upon doing some investigation on-line, I see I am not the only owner experiencing this in under 100,000 mileages.”

   NHTSA complaint #11163703, filed 2018-12, 89,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Sticky or melting rear liftgate handle

   • 22 complaints (17%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2018

   Owners describe the rubberized cover on the rear hatch/liftgate opener turning soft, sticky and tar-like, sometimes to the point that it comes off on fingers or the switch no longer works. Some say the part became unusable and that opening the tailgate now requires pushing through the remains. Complaints often note the vehicle was garaged or kept in moderate conditions, and some owners say they were quoted a charge to replace the switch assembly. Reported from roughly 43,000 to 150,000 miles, often after several years in service.

   What to check: Press the rear liftgate handle and check for tackiness, residue or a non-working switch; ask whether the handle assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I noticed my back door opener switch was starting to melt. At first we thought its from the heat of the summer but then after careful consideration we thought that we've had the car for 4 previous summers with no issues with said button. We thought that there must be some electrical component inside the automatic button that must be getting too hot that's causing the hard plastic to melt.”

   NHTSA complaint #10537098, filed 2013-08, 50,250 miles

   “The rubber cover of the liftgate sensor melted. I am concerned about it catching fire. I have read multiple complaints online from owners with the same issue. The black rubber melts and sticks to fingers. I also causes the sensor to malfunction since the rubber piece interferes with the sensor.”

   NHTSA complaint #10664822, filed 2014-12, 104,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine oil cooler line failure and oil loss

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2019

   Complaints describe the rubber oil cooler hose or pipe failing and releasing engine oil quickly, sometimes with warning lights and an abnormal noise, and in some cases internal engine damage afterward. Owners describe the loss being noticed only after stopping, when oil was seen pouring out or a trail followed the car. Some mention a warranty enhancement letter about the tube and reimbursement requests. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 151,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the oil cooler line has been replaced with the updated part, and check for oil residue around the cooler lines and under the engine at inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I approach a red light, I noticed the car was smoking. I pulled into the nearest automotive facility and I notice a trail of oil was following me. I look under the my hood and I saw and oil leak. I looked under the car and there was a puddle of oil.”

   NHTSA complaint #10714550, filed 2015-05, 150 miles

   “The oil cooler pipe assembly on the engine failed catastrophically causing a sudden lost of a large volume of oil. The failure occurred while driving on a street and was only noticed while parking (a co-worker saw the oil pouring out of the car). The consumer stated he was not made aware of the warranty enhancement program. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repairs. Updated 10/10/2017”

   NHTSA complaint #11018815, filed 2017-08, 150,621 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Cracked or sticky dashboard pad

   • 17 complaints (13%)
   • median 71,322 mi at 7.5 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2019

   Complaints describe the instrument panel pad developing cracks — often starting on the passenger side and spreading toward the driver's side and around the gauges — and becoming shiny or sticky when hot. Some owners report small foam fragments landing on the floor. Owners who contacted the manufacturer describe being told the car was out of warranty, with partial parts coverage offered in some cases. Reported from about 20,000 to 93,000 miles, typically on cars several years old and often in hot or humid climates.

   21 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dash in daylight for cracks, a glossy sheen, or sticky areas, and ask whether the warranty enhancement for the dashboard was ever applied to this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Summary: the dashboard is cracking and getting sticky. While reading about some of the Lexus complaints I saw several complaining about the lift-gate control on the back of the car melting. I checked and sure enough so is mine. I went to use it and my fingers went right through. Now it is totally useless. I will call Lexus but don't expect any assistance. My car is always garaged and only has about 75k miles. The cause is unknown.”

   NHTSA complaint #10898069, filed 2016-08, 74,400 miles

   “I just recently noticed that my dashboard had cracks and was sticky/shiny when hot. I also found small foam fragments on the floor coming from the dashboard. I consider this a serious quality problem that may cause an accident because of the reflective dashboard. It also could become a fire hazard when small foam particles collect around electrical parts under the dashboard. I have contacted toyota customer service and was told that they do not have to do anything since the car is out of warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10632932, filed 2014-09, 93,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight moisture and dim or failing lights

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2018

   Owners report water or condensation inside the headlight housing, causing the lens to fog up and the light output to become dim or intermittent, with some describing a headlight going out while driving. Dealers reportedly told owners the assembly needed replacement and that it was not covered as warranty. Some owners describe the lens looking clouded or aged well beyond the vehicle's age. Reported from about 41,000 to 117,000 miles.

   What to check: Look inside both headlight housings for fogging or water droplets and check that low beams work, and ask whether either assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My headlights kept going of and on at certain points, now at night I have no low beam, it appears to have moisture inside the lens and the lens on all of the headlights are very foggy looking. They look like they are 20 years old. When taken to the dealer ira Lexus in bedord nh, they said it is not under warranty even though I have a letter from Lexus describing exactly how my lights are working or should I say not working. I realized the problem when I was stopped and issued a warning for having a headlight burned out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10629906, filed 2014-09, 96,000 miles

   “The drivers side headlight, has consistently filled up with water, via washing the car, raining, etc., causing it to fog up. This is ridiculous, and to go get it fixed, they want an arm and a let, the car is in beautiful condition, why not honor this by fixing it, you've had other complaints! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10850395, filed 2016-03, 78,000 miles

Buying note. These are older vehicles, so condition and service history matter more than the complaint list: have the steering rack, oil cooler lines and headlight housings checked before buying, and confirm whether any dashboard or oil-line warranty enhancement work was already done.

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.