10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,920 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Lexus ES 350 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Lexus ES 350:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Lexus ES 350 Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 192022

ES 350

  • 49,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light showed that the tire pressure was low. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired. While attempting to reverse out of a parking lot, the vehicle independently accelerated forward at 60 MPH. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle out of the parking lot to avoid a crash. The vehicle decelerated independently. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After waiting for a while, the contact drove the vehicle home at slow speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #9

Jul 182010

ES 350 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
S10 appropriate handling-letter from regarding Toyota complaint 2008 Lexus ES350 the consumer stated as his wife turned into a parking space in a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The consumer stated the recall was performed prior to the crash. Updated 09/20/10

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #8

May 112010

(reported on)

ES 350 6-cyl

  • miles
2008 Lexus ES 350. Consumer writes to advise of a recent experience with the mandated recall to correct the supposed acceleration problem. The consumer stated he had never experienced any problems with his vehicle before the recall work. After the recall work was performed, the consumer was very unhappy with the position of the pedal and the loud noise that was plainly audible when driving. Upon his insistence, the service was performed again. The pedal problem was corrected, but the road noise persists. The consumer discovered without his knowledge, the dealership had replaced the original insulation with styrofoam. Styrofoam instead of sound-proofing material does not seem to be an appropriate solution, since it magnifies sound.

- Westwood, MA, USA

problem #7

Apr 272010

(reported on)

ES 350 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2008 Lexus ES350. Acceleration issues the consumer is requesting an official, written response from Lexus detailing the exact modification intended to be performed under the recall and a detailed account of how the system installed will perform including specific detail of the certain speeds and driving conditions referred to in the aforementioned recall letter. The consumer stated he does not intend to have any recall related modifications performed on his vehicle until such time, he receives a satisfactory written response to his query.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #6

Nov 282009

ES 350

  • miles
2008 Lexus ES 350. Consumer asserts that accelerator problems are caused by computer issues. The consumer stated when the air bag deployed after crashing into a tree due to the vehicle suddenly accelerating, the air bag injured his leg. The battery died and had to be replaced, the vsc and trac lights illuminated. The vehicle went dead again, but it wasn't because of the battery. The consumer stated he has had 4 loaner cars in a matter of 4 weeks, due to all the problems he has experienced with his vehicle. Updated 04/06/10.

- Greenwich, CT, USA

problem #5

Oct 092009

ES 350

  • 21,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus ES350. While sitting idle at a stop light with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle abnormally surged forward and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact did not sustain any injuries; however the occupant of the second vehicle involved sustained unknown injuries. The police arrived to the scene and a report was filed accordingly. The contact was held liable for the crash and all repairs were handled through her insurance company. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer was informed the vehicle abnormally accelerated. Later, the contact received a recall notification (NHTSA campaign id number: 09V38800, vehicle speed control: Accelerator pedal) pertaining to possible unintended acceleration. The vehicle was taken in for recall repairs and has not experienced any failures since. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000 and the current was 26, 000.

- Dyer, IN, USA

problem #4

Jan 172008

ES 350

  • 37,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact previously leased a 2008 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that within one year of leasing the vehicle, she was driving at approximately 40 mph when the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate because the pedal was stuck. She was able to release the pedal and avoid a crash. She called the dealer and was told that the mats were the cause so she took them out of the vehicle. On 01/22/2010, while driving, the vehicle suddenly accelerated from 60 mph up to almost 100 mph. She kicked the pedal until it released. She then returned the vehicle to the dealership and refused to drive it. She was waiting for the dealer to terminate the lease. The current and failure mileages were approximately 37,000.

- Sharon, MA, USA

problem #3

Jan 012010

ES 350

  • miles
2008 Lexus ES350 owner Lexus accelerated without warning. Would like to be kept informed about the ongoing progress for this issue.

- Unkown, CA, USA

problem #2

Oct 052009

ES 350 6-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 ES350 Lexus. While driving 60 mph all of a sudden the vehicle accelerated without touching the accelerator pedal. The consumer applied the brakes; however, the vehicle would not stop. The consumer was forced to shift gears into neutral to stop the vehicle; although, the vehicle stopped the engine was still revving. The contact had to engage the accelerator pedal a couple of times since it was stuck in place. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. Within the last three to four weeks the failure has happens 3 to 4 times and has become progressively worse. The dealer will make another attempt to diagnose the failure and the manufacturer was notified of the acceleration problem. The failure and current mileage was 6000. Updated 11/10/09 while driving, the accelerator pedal became stuck and would not return to its position. The consumer had to place the vehicle in neutral to stop it. Updated 11/10/09 updated 11/10/09 updated 11/13/09. The consumer stated the floor mats were not the cause, because they were in the trunk of the car. Updated 11/17/09.

- Hillsboro Beach, FL, USA

problem #1

May 102009

ES 350 6-cyl

  • 6,200 miles
I was driving South on interstate 5 in California near oceanside on May 10, 2009 from orange county towards carlsbad, ca. When approaching highway 78, I felt the vehicle increasing in speed to about 90 mph, without depressing the accelerator. I had been on cruise control at about 73 mph (probably 68-69 mph actual speed). I had two passengers in my car. The female passenger screamed at me to slow down. I was unable to do so even after stepping forcefully on the brakes. Also disengaged the cruise control, by pushing the button on the end of a stem, so that the green cruise indicator light disappeared, since I noticed the cruise control still on even after touching the brakes ( I assumed from previous experience that speed controls are ignored when stepping on the brake) my commands to slow the car down were inactive, but I continued pumping the brakes and the other passenger suggested to turn the engine off; so I pushed the start/kill button on the dashboard briefly, but did not hear or noticed the engine stopping. Somehow, a few seconds later the car finally slowed down and I steered the car to side of the road and stopped the car to get my breath back. After a few minutes I started the engine and she (the vehicle) responded normal. And proceeded on I-5 to my home in carlsbad (about 3-4 miles) from where I finally got control of the vehicle. So far this incidence only occurred once. Took the car to the dealer, after hearing about a fatal accident caused by a similar event ( stuck accelerator) was told that the car checked out ok and could not repeat this problem. Preliminary cause for the fatal crash in this area was explained by a mat that was not properly anchored. I did have non-standard mats in the car, but could not have caused a stuck accelerator during my incident in my opinion, however I have removed the driver's seat mat. The consumer sent in pictures. Updated 11/16/09

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?