Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2008 Lexus GS450H — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.
Run a VIN →Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Lexus GS450H year.
NHTSA lists 1 recall for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.
Issue: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2008 LEXUS PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 26, 2005 THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2008. MICRO-FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE MATERIAL OF THE VALVE SPRING MAY DEGRADE THE STRENGTH OF THE VALVE SPRING, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE SPRING TO BREAK.
Risk: THE ENGINE COULD FAIL AND STOP SUDDENLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 10V309000
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model (naming may differ or it predates EPA records).
The parts named most often across 22 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”
1 crash
1 fire
1 crash
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus GS 350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the rearview mirror's reflective surface was fading, reducing rear-view visibility. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 115,000.
I am writing to file a complaint against Lexus Corporation regarding a significant safety issue with my vehicle. Despite NHTSA’s recall notice for defective engine valve springs installed in certain 2008 GS350 vehicles with a specified range of VIN numbers that includes my vehicle’s, Lexus still persevered my car is not applicable for the recall and refused to cover the necessary repair costs after identifying the root cause of my car’s engine failure to be a broken valve spring out of a total of 24, as was initially diagnosed by a local auto repair shop. Their negligence of timely contacting impacted vehicle’s owner and outright refusal to cover this critical recall repair cost is truly outrageous as my own life and public safety have been in danger during these years. My vehicle experienced a near-catastrophic sudden engine failure with violent shaking and stalling at around 7:30am on April 27 while traveling on Highway 101. Fortunately, I managed to exit the highway safely during the heavy traffic and pulled into a nearby parking lot. It was towed to a local auto repair shop for initial diagnosis and a few days later transported to the Stevens Creek Lexus repair facility as instructed by them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a recall (document link: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2010/RCMN-10V309-1264.pdf) encompassing the range of vehicles affected by the defective valve springs, which includes my vehicle. However, despite being within the recall range, Lexus Corporate still refused to cover the repair costs. I respectfully request your intervention in conducting a thorough investigation into this matter. It is crucial that Lexus Corporate be held accountable for their actions, and appropriate measures be taken to rectify this safety issue without delay. The safety of consumers must always be a top priority, and I trust that NHTSA will take decisive action to protect the public from further harm.
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus GS 450 Hybrid. The contact stated that after his vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle, the check engine light was illuminated and the vehicle was not able to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was not related to the collision but that the hybrid transmission cooling pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The contact's wife owns a 2008 Lexus GS 450H. The contact stated while attempting to park and depressing on the brake pedal but the vehicle accelerated independently and hit a lamp post. The contact stated the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. A police report was not filed. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated he experienced the failure for a second time on August 16, 2021. The contact stated while attempting to park and depressing the brake pedal to the floor but the vehicle accelerate independently and crashed into the wall. The contact stated the check stabilizer track and the check system warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. A police report was not filed. The contact took the vehicle to local dealer, where it was being serviced at the moment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available.
2008 GS350 - 129k miles - 1 owner Looking for input on whether/how to proceed as this is now a multi-year problem (2019- 2021). My 2008 Lexus GS350 had the following recalls (All fuel and engine related): NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 18V432000; NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V647000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 09V020000; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 10V309000 Before the last fuel assembly recall work was out of warranty 2019, I started experiencing an extreme fuel odor after a decline AND each time car was started (noticeable only with windows down). No warning lights, system reported no issues. Independent mechanic found a leaking fuel injector (port on that side is "clean".) (Lexus dealerships found no issues). Replaced fuel injector, no change in fuel smell, strong as ever. Neither Lexus or Independent mechanic can determine what is wrong. Pandemic happened and I only drive the car once a week to the grocery store, strong fuel smell on startup still happens. (Haven't been on any incline/declines). 5/9/21, filled gas tank, started car, made 2 stops before heading home, "Check engine, Check VSC" and a myriad of lights came up on dash. (Total of 3 startups after filling tank, lights came on after 3rd start). Code comes up - P0430 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 2 All the fuel related symptoms & issues can't be a coincidence. 2 Fuel assembly recalls, fuel smell, leaking fuel injector, continued fuel smell, now catalytic converter issue even though car is barely used in the last year.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM,VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
ALMOST 2 MONTHS STARTED TO EXPERIENCE WET DRIVERS FLOOR. I DRIED THE WATER PUDDLE UP. IN TWO DAYS PUDDLE BACK ALONE WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK FLOORS WET. I DRIED THE WATER UP AGAIN. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO LEXUS DEALERSHIP. TECHNICIAN UNCLOGGED THE SUNROOM HOSE DRAIN AT A COST $155.15 THE NXT COUPLE OF DAYS THE PUDDLES ARE BACK. SERVICE CONSULTED STATED THEY HOPE THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. IN 2014 LEXUS REPAIRED HVAC EVAPORATORS DRAIN HOSE ON 2007-2017 LEXUS VEHICLES EXCEPT THE LEXUS GS. I HAVE WIPE WET WINDOWS EVEN WHEN THE HVAC IS OFF. I CALLED LEXUS CLAIM WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP WITH THE PROBLEM. BUT, NEVERTHELESS MY COMPLAINT WOULD BE REVIEWED AND WAS TO RECEIVE AN ANSWER WITHIN 24 HRS. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP TO BRING BACK IF PROBLEM CONTINUED. I FEEL THAT WOULD BE A DIME AND NICKEL TRANSACTIONS. ON THE LEXUS BLOG MANY INDIVIDUALS HAVE SPENT UP TO $2500 AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST. TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEY SOLD THE CARS VOWING NEVER TO PURCHASE A LEXUS. THANK YOU.
THIS CAR BURNS AN INSANE AMOUNT OF OIL AND TURNS BLACK IN COLOR. I HAVE NO OIL LEAK BUT HAVE TO PUT ABOUT A QUART IN WEEKLY.
SPEAKERS - I'VE HAD 2 "BLOW" BUT THEY WEREN'T BLOWN, THE SPEAKER GLUE HAD JUST DISSOLVED AND THE TOP OF THE SPEAKERS WERE RATTLING. I CAN'T EVEN GET TO THE REAR BLOWN SPEAKER BECAUSE THE ENTIRE BACK SEAT HAS TO BE REMOVED TO ACCESS IT. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT IN ALL OF THE FORUMS I'VE VISITED THAT THESE SPEAKERS FALL APART.
REAR VIEW MIRROR CLOUDY AND SHOWING BLACK SPOTS
I AM THE OWNER OF A LEXUS 2008 GS450H AND TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE. ON JUNE 10, 2017, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LEXUS OF ROSEVILLE DEALERSHIP IN ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA FOR THE 80K MILE SERVICING.. NO OTHER WORK WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE BETWEEN JUNE 10 - AUGUST 29, 2017 AND NO ONE WAS EVEN UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. LEXUS OF ROSEVILLE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE, SUBSEQUENT EXPENSES TO REPAIR AND RELATED EXPENSES. AS I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE, PART OF THE LEXUS MULTIPOINT INSPECTIONS REQUIRES SERVICE PERSONNEL TO PERIODICALLY INSPECT AND ADJUST THE ENGINE COOLANT (RADIATOR) AND RADIATOR CAP TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR. THE ATTACHED SERVICE HISTORY REFLECTS THAT THIS SIMPLE INSPECTION WAS NEVER COMPLETED DURING THIS JUNE 10, 2017 SERVICING. ON AUGUST 29, 2017, WHILE DRIVING TO ARIZONA FROM CALIFORNIA, THE RADIATOR CAP FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I WAS STRANDED 90 MILES NORTH OF THE NEAREST TOWN IN 110-DEGREE HEAT WITH SUBSTANDARD CELL PHONE SERVICE. THIS OVERHEATING CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL ENGINE DAMAGE WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO BELL LEXUS NORTH SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA. IT WAS DAYS BEFORE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO ME IN AN OPERABLE CONDITION. THE NEGLIGENCE OF LEXUS OF ROSEVILLE IN SERVICING MY LEXUS CAUSED THE DAMAGE BY FAILING TO CONDUCT THE SIMPLE INSPECTION WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS DAMAGE FROM OCCURRING. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY BELL LEXUS NORTH SCOTTSDALE. I WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND TO STAY IN A HOTEL DURING THE REPAIR. THESE WERE EXPENSES I WOULD NOT HAVE INCURRED IF THIS INCIDENT HAD NOT HAPPENED. DEMAND IS MADE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE ABOVE EXPENSES IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,685.38. I AM VERY HOPEFUL TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER IN A RESPECTABLE AND AMICABLE FASHION.
I OWN A 2008 LEXUS GS 450H. I RECENTLY (MARCH 2018) HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR THAT I NEED TO SHARE WITH THE NHTSA. WHEN STARTING MY CAR, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS OBVIOUSLY WRONG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NEAREST AUTO SHOP WHERE THEY TROUBLESHOT THE GASOLINE LEAK TO A FUEL PRESSURE PULSATION DAMPER ON THE FUEL RAIL OF THE ENGINE. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE RECALLS FOR GASOLINE LEAKS IN THE ENGINE BAYS OF LEXUS VEHICLES. I DID BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE "ELF" RECALL IN 2015 WHICH COVERS THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. WHEN READING ABOUT THE "9LA" AND THE "BLA" RECALLS, IT SEEMS THAT MY CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE AFFECTED VEHICLES OF THESE RESPECTIVE RECALLS. SO WE HAVE A PROBLEM. I DID HAVE THE "LEAKY FUEL" RECALL FOR MY CAR PERFORMED BY THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP (3 YEARS AGO) BUT I STILL ENDED UP WITH AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL CONDITION WITH GASOLINE LEAKING ON THE TOP OF MY ENGINE. AN ENGINE'S FUEL RAIL (AND THE FUEL RAIL COMPONENTS) IS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAST THE LIFE OF AN ENGINE WITHOUT LEAKS. I HAVE ATTACHED 2 PICTURES OF MY DEFECTIVE PART AS WELL AS THE INVOICE FOR THE REPAIR. I CURRENTLY HAVE POSSESSION OF THE DEFECTIVE PART AND WOULD LIKE TO HELP IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE WITH A NHTSA INVESTIGATION SO THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION CAN BE ADDRESSED WITH A SOLUTION.
Showing 12 of 22 complaints.
1 open NHTSA investigation into this model. Investigations come before recalls, so these are potential defects not yet covered by one.
Rated configuration: 2008 Lexus GS450h w/SAB