2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,762 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 IS 250 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Lexus IS 250:

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

2008 Lexus IS 250 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #34

Sep 012015

IS 250

  • miles

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

UPON STARTING VEHICLE, ENGINE LOUDLY RATTLES FOR APROX. ONE SECOND AS IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE. THIS INSTANCE IS DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH LEXUS TSB "L-SB-0155-08" (Engine - Brief Engine Knock/Rattle On Cold Start Up). FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWS THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AS THIS INVOLVES A FAULTY CAMSHAFT ASSEMBLY.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #33

Jan 012015

IS 250

  • miles
This vehicle has an oil consumption problem the same as other Toyota vehicles in the class action lawsuit relating to owners having to constantly spend money on oil due to a defect in the engine. This Toyota/Lexus engine defect consumes oil and this problem grows worst as the vehicles get older. Toyota knew of this issue but did not inform customers, and will not help in the repair or do a recall. This problem can cause the engine to fail and cause a host of other issues.

- Brookfield, IL, USA

problem #32

Jan 082020

IS 250

  • miles
The car has extremely high oil consumption. The cylinder walls have apparently prematurely worn down despite timely oil changes and maintenance. I am having to put 2 quarts of oil for every 1,000 miles at this point.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #31

Apr 042017

IS 250 6-cyl

  • 145,000 miles

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

2008 Lexus Is 250 exhibits a brief rattle noise (approximately 1-3 seconds) at start-up. The issue was diagnosed by a Lexus dealership which recommended replacing the cam gear assembly associated with the variable valve timing (vvt) system. The vvt gear housing and sprocket could separate and result in the engine stopping while the vehicle Is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash. The same symptoms, diagnosis, and recommended repair were subject of the Toyota safety recall 13V-395. The recall excluded the 2008 Lexus Is 250, however included the 2006-2011 Lexus Is 350, 2010-2011 Lexus Is 350C, and the 2006-2011 gs 350 models. The same diagnosis and recommended repair was determined to be a safety issue in the models above, but Is not in the 2008 Lexus Is 250?

- Biltmore, MD, USA

problem #30

Oct 102019

IS 250 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
Car shakes when stopped, hesitation when pressing gas pedal

- Skokie, IL, USA

problem #29

Dec 012019

IS 250 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Ever since I had this car, I always had the constant problem of a weird engine smell of rotten eggs, it overheats out of nowhere constantly after multiple repairs and maintenance paid out of pocket. It would shut off while driving anywhere. These are just some of the receipts.

- West Hills, CA, USA

problem #28

Jul 132019

IS 250

  • miles

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

Constant engine repairs out of pocket within a short period of time. I have more receipts other than the ones shown

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

problem #27

Apr 082020

IS 250

  • 139,000 miles
Valley plate leak

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #26

Apr 242020

IS 250

  • 50,000 miles
To whom it may concern. Within the Is-F(2008-2014). Members are experiencing cracked headers manifold. Members report smelling bad eggy pre-cat fumes odor. This seems to be an issue for people with mid to high mileage. The other issue every member Is experiencing are leaking valley plate seal. Pink coolant can be observed dripping in minor cases and leaking in major cases. Cases of a pool of coolant on owners driveway/garages. This can easily cause a fire.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #25

Jan 062020

IS 250 8-cyl

  • miles
Lexus isf, year models 2008-2014, are affected by a valley plate leak due to the fact that Toyota/Lexus utilized the improper sealant and used the improper amount, leading to the heat exchanger leaking coolant once the original, inadequate sealant begins to disintegrate. This could cause a condition where the engine could fail and someone could get hurt. This issue Is very prominent in the community (every Lexus facebook group and forum has documented this information) - most isfs develop this under 100K miles. Furthermore, all isfs will eventually have a cracked rh manifold on the #8 runner. This can cause a fire hazard in addition to carbon monoxide poisoning. My 2008 isf has been leaking coolant for about 15K miles, progressively getting worse (inspected every oil change). In addition, I have to start topping of the coolant every week. Lexus dealer quoted this repair at almost $2000.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #24

Feb 202020

IS 250

  • 110,200 miles

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

My Lexus isf has a cracked passenger side manifold which Is very audible on startup and beginning signs of a valley plate coolant leak, which will eventuallylead to engine failure. These cars were made in very low numbers, however our car enthusiast community Is experiencing these failures in a higher than acceptable numbers of this rare vehicle. Each repair Is many thousands of dollars and (valley plate 2K-5K) (manifold quoted at 22 hours labor and 1400 for the part from Lexus) taken into account the low production number and high rate of failure, this must be addressed. Lexus has failed to work with me sharing the bill.

- Chelsea, AL, USA

problem #23

Apr 062020

IS 250

  • 86,500 miles
Isfs year models 2008-2014 are affected the valley plate leak due to the fact that Toyota/Lexus utilized the improper sealant and used the improper amount, leading to the heat exchanger leaking coolant once the original, inadequate sealant begins to disentegrate. This could cause a condition where the engine could fail and someone could get hurt. Furthermore, all isfs will eventually have a cracked rh manifold on the #8 runner. This can cause a fire hazard in addition to carbon monoxide poisoning.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #22

Sep 182019

IS 250

  • 100,021 miles
It Is known as the valley plate leak. And it's radiator fluid leaking out which causes damage to the compression and also causes the vehicle to over heat easily. It happened when I let the car sit and started it and I noticed the valley plate started leaking.

- Heber, UT, USA

problem #21

Nov 202019

IS 250

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS250/350. While driving 60 mph the vehicle shuddered and shut off with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

problem #20

Jul 282016

IS 250

  • miles
2008 Lexus Is 250 exhibits a brief rattle noise (approximately 1-3 seconds) at start-up. The issue was diagnosed by a Lexus dealership which recommended replacing the cam gear assembly associated with the variable valve timing (vvt) system. The vvt gear housing and sprocket could separate and result in the engine stopping while the vehicle Is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash. The same symptoms, diagnosis, and recommended repair were subject of the Toyota safety recall 13V-395. The recall excluded the 2008 Lexus Is 250, however included the 2006-2011 Lexus Is 350, 2010-2011 Lexus Is 350C, and the 2006-2011 gs 350 models. The same diagnosis and recommended repair was determined to be a safety issue in the models above, but Is not in the 2008 Lexus Is 250?

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #19

Nov 012018

IS 250

  • 70,000 miles
Engine consumes about a quart of oil every thousand miles. Tail pipes full of carbon. Sometimes runs rough

- West Milford, NJ, USA

problem #18

Mar 122019

IS 250

  • miles
Why Is there a recall for the IS350 vvt cam gears and not the IS250 "?"

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #17

Apr 042018

IS 250

  • miles
The driver seat makes a loud noise when moving back and forth to adjust the position. Vibratation Is strong when you come to a stop and it feels like the car will die out. And dangerous to drive on a sunny day because of the glare from the dashboard. I have called dealership with no luck

- Waianae, HI, USA

problem #16

Oct 012017

IS 250

  • 104,000 miles
I took my car to the local dealer for the carbon buildup recall in the motor. They rebuilt parts of the internal motor. After they rebuilt the motor for carbon build up, my engine light started to light up for bad catalytic converter. I told them that the light never showed up before and could've went bad from all of the miles of carbon build up that damaged the catalytic converter. They couldn't repair the catalytic converter because I was out of the warranty period.

- Rosedale, NY, USA

problem #15

May 012017

IS 250

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus Is 250. Within less than two days of owning the vehicle, there was a failure with the radiator cap and catastrophic engine failure. The temperature gauge fluctuated highly. The dealer replaced the radiator cap and provided no solution for the engine failure. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign numbers: 10V309000 (engine and engine cooling) and 09V020000 (engine and engine cooling). An independent mechanic replaced the engine assembly due to the failure. The manufacturer was aware that they issued two recalls, but they provided no solution to repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

- Jennings, LA, USA

Read the next 14 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?