NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Lexus RX400H Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2008 Lexus RX400H right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 57 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Lexus RX400H, plus NCAP crash-test ratings.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2008 Lexus RX400H owner complaints

Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Lexus RX400H, describing incidents dated March 13, 2008 to June 13, 2022.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 22 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 19 complaints
Electrical System 5 complaints
Steering 5 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Air Bags 3 complaints

Of the 57 complaints on file, 18 report a crash; across all 57 complaints, owners report 10 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11468955 · Filed June 13, 2022
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…
ODI #11455880 · Filed March 9, 2022
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…
ODI #11439047 · Filed November 2, 2021
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…

Read all 57 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2008 Lexus RX400H right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

2008 Lexus RX400h 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

57 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Lexus RX400H.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11468955

Incident: June 13, 2022 · Filed: June 13, 2022

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.

Engine; Hybrid Propulsion System

ODI #11455880

Incident: February 28, 2022 · Filed: March 9, 2022

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.

Service Brakes, Air

ODI #11439047

Incident: September 1, 2021 · Filed: November 2, 2021

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.

Hybrid Propulsion System

ODI #11430096

Incident: August 19, 2021 · Filed: August 23, 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while reversing out a parking space at a low rate of speed, the vehicle stalled as the hybrid system warning message illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to walk to an automotive parts store and purchased a new battery which he replaced in his vehicle. The contact was able to drive to a gas station and soon after leaving the gas station, the vehicle stalled again as the same warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after multiple attempts and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V396000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) and referred him to a local dealer. The contact called a dealer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 268,000

Service Brakes

ODI #11209029

Incident: May 18, 2019 · Filed: May 21, 2019

STARTED NOTICING "BURPING" NOISE WHEN I PRESSED ON BRAKES FROM ENGINE BAY, THEN LATER I NOTICED CONTINUOUS CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT PASSENGER ENGINE BAY AFTER I WOULD TURN OFF ENGINE COMPLETELY. AS LATER TIME WENT BY THE CLICKING SOUND WOULD GET LONGER AND CONSISTENT. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD "LUNGE" FORWARD WHEN I WOULD START THE ENGINE AND INITIALLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE POSITION AND HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TO COMPLETELY STOP. THATS WHEN UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND A "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT" FROM TOYOTA REGARDING BRAKE ACTUATOR BEING REPLACED. BUT TOYOTA PUT A 10-YEAR EXPIRATION ON THE WARRANTY SO MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY BY 6 MONTHS! TOYOTA NEVER MADE AWARE OR REACHED OUT TO THEIR REGISTERED CLIENTS OF THIS DANGEROUS RECALL THAT IS $3,000.00 TO REPLACE. I WAS INFORMED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE ACTUATOR COMPLETELY GOES BAD THAT STOPPING THE CAR WILL BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP FOR THE AVERAGE DRIVER AS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR APPLIES NEEDED BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE TO ALL FOUR BRAKE CALIPERS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN.

Service Brakes

ODI #11197208

Incident: April 10, 2019 · Filed: April 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE CONTACT FELT AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND ADDITIONAL DISTANCE WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK TOYOTA SANDY SPRINGS (LOCATED AT 6475 ROSWELL RD, ATLANTA, GA 30328, (404) 476-3921) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE ABS, BUT IT EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

Power Train; Service Brakes

ODI #11133120

Incident: October 3, 2018 · Filed: October 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ABS, BRAKE SYSTEM, AND SLIP WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARMAX (3100 SPUR 482, IRVING, TX 75062, (972) 721-0500) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO IGNORE THE FAILURE AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,068.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #11082305

Crash 1 injury

Incident: March 21, 2018 · Filed: March 31, 2018

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND FAILED TO PROPERLY BREAK WHICH THEREFORE ENDED HITTING AN OLDER MODEL BMW AT APPROX 45MPH. THE AIRBAGS INFLATED SENDING SOME TYPE OF METAL SHARDS TO MY RIGHT LOWER ABDOMEN THAT RESULTED IN MASSIVE BLEEDING. *TT *JS

Service Brakes

ODI #11067251

Incident: August 1, 2017 · Filed: February 6, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO FULLY DEPRESS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 239,995.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #10992307

Incident: May 25, 2017 · Filed: May 30, 2017

WHILE DRIVING I GOT A MESSAGE TO CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM - THEN THE CAR DIED

Check your 2008 Lexus RX400H VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lexus RX400H at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Lexus VIN