Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Lexus IS
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Lexus IS has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 101 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #11V029000 FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V388000 PEDAL ENTRAPMENT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V020000 FUEL DELIVERY PIPE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Unknown or Other 24 complaints
- Engine 22 complaints
- Structure 22 complaints
- Air Bags 20 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 11 complaints
- Electrical System 6 complaints
Of the 101 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 101 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Lexus IS shows an average reliability profile, with common issues in the engine and structure. Multiple complaints about airbags and visibility suggest recurring problems, though none are overwhelmingly serious.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,500–$2,500 | common |
| airbags | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,000–$2,000 | common |
| structure | 70,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
| visibility/wiper | 50,000–90,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
| electrical system | 90,000–130,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Change oil every 5,000 miles
- Replace air filter every 15,000 miles
- Inspect brakes every 10,000 miles
- Replace spark plugs every 60,000 miles
- Align wheels annually
- Flush coolant every 30,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Rough idle or engine noise
- Airbag warning light
- Water leaks into the cabin
- Window motors slowing
- Unusual vibrations at speed
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Lexus IS at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.