2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

78

Owner Complaints

28 Crashes

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

3

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID

The 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID has received a total of 78 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Control (19 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulic (10 complaints), and Service Brakes (8 complaints).

Recalls for the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID, potentially affecting up to 133,081 vehicles.

Recall 13V396000 — HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

| 133,081 vehicles affected

Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be...

Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.

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Owner Complaints for the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID

78 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11468955 | ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | | 138,140 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound with the VSC message displayed and the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle made the same abnormal sound for 15 minutes after the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS accumulator pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the extended warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,140. Consumer stated extended warranty program for the defective part but that program expired in 2018. When the ABS actuator pump fails, it stops regulating and maintaining hydraulic pressure in the brake lines which can lead to brake failure. No recall was ever issued despite the fact that a failure of the braking system.
#11468955 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | | 138,140 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound with the VSC message displayed and the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle made the same abnormal sound for 15 minutes after the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS accumulator pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the extended warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,140. Consumer stated extended warranty program for the defective part but that program expired in 2018. When the ABS actuator pump fails, it stops regulating and maintaining hydraulic pressure in the brake lines which can lead to brake failure. No recall was ever issued despite the fact that a failure of the braking system.
#11455880 | ENGINE | | 89,320 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the check engine and the Hybrid system maintenance warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and where the vehicle was being serviced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,320.
#11455880 | HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 89,320 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the check engine and the Hybrid system maintenance warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and where the vehicle was being serviced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,320.
#11439047 | SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT | | 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS warning light would illuminate, and a grinding noise was present while depressing the brake pedal. On multiple occasions while driving at very slow speeds the vehicle abruptly stopped. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the ABS actuator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

View all Vehicle Speed Control complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID

Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

LSB-0057-09 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

LEXUS: IG1 RELAY FREEZING. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES BECOMING INOPERATIVE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS COLD SOAKED IN SUB FREEZING (BELOW 14 %F [-10%C]) AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES. A NEW RELAY AND WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE...

L-SB-0016-08 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THE HV BATTERY COVER FOR THE 2008 MY RX 400H HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO INCLUDE A CONNECTOR COVER. *NJ

PG00405A — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

RX 400H Hybrid Emergency response Guide (ERG) Location

NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 LEXUS RX HYBRID

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the LEXUS RX HYBRID

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Other LEXUS Models

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