2008 Lexus GS Recalls & Complaints

Incident: March 2, 2020 · Filed: October 28, 2026

Formal safety defect filing regarding critical component fluid migration on the 2008 Lexus GS 460 platform. Severe engine or transmission oil capillary forces wick fluid directly through the sealed electrical wiring harness sheath, migrating past factory gaskets and pooling inside the main transmission wire connector plug housing. This structural capillary defect completely floods the physical connector pins with fluid, creating terminal resistance variances and sudden communication drops between the Engine Control Module (ECM) and Transmission Control Unit (TCU). This is an unpreventable factory design failure that creates immediate, unpredictable vehicle 'limp-mode' power drops during highway operation, entirely independent of normal vehicle maintenance. This vehicle loss of acceleration and propulsion in live traffic creates an immediate and severe highway safety hazard.

Incident: December 27, 2024 · Filed: December 27, 2024

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.

Incident: April 27, 2023 · Filed: May 23, 2023

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.

Incident: April 9, 2019 · Filed: May 17, 2021

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.

Incident: May 5, 2021 · Filed: May 7, 2021

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM,VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

Incident: September 21, 2020 · Filed: October 1, 2020

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.

Incident: February 1, 2017 · Filed: February 10, 2020

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.

Incident: January 1, 2018 · Filed: February 10, 2020

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.

Incident: January 1, 2011 · Filed: May 3, 2019

REAR VIEW MIRROR CLOUDY AND SHOWING BLACK SPOTS

Incident: January 1, 2018 · Filed: January 17, 2018

WHEN DRIVING AT LEAST 3 MIN THE FRONT HEAD LIGHTS GOES OUT.DONT MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU GET IT FIX