Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Lexus RX400H problems

Owners filed 127 complaints about the 2008 Lexus RX400H with NHTSA between Nov 2007 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is vehicle speed control (23).

Complaints
127
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
23
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Vehicle speed control23
  2. Service brakes23
  3. Engine17
  4. Electrical system10
  5. Structure10
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic10
  7. Steering10
  8. Air bags9
  9. Power train6
  10. Exterior lighting6
  11. Visibility/wiper4
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  13. Fuel/propulsion system3
  14. Service brakes, electric3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20071
20082
20091
201020
20114
20124
20136
20146
20157
20165
20174
20186
201913
202011
202110
202211
20234
20244
20255
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Vehicle speed control

23 reports18 crashes
“Dear Sir or Madam. My name is [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] living in [XXX]. I bought my 2008 Lexus RX400h car, used, in 2014 at a non-Lexus dealership in the [XXX] where I used to live. My Lexus VIN is: [XXX]. I've been satisfied with the car..until today. The car had been running smoothly forever, and this morning while I was driving I came to a stop (red light) and the car suddenly shut down completely, including the loss of lights, and the whole dashboard went dark. Other cars behind me were honking their horns. I could not even turn on the hazard lights. After 1-2 minutes, all of the lights/warnings started coming on one after the other. I started the car again and run around three different errands without having further issues. I checked online to see if other owners had experienced a similar situation, which is the case. One person said that there had been two recalls in 2011 and 2013, both related to the inverter module inside the hybrid system. Although, I called today a Lexus dealership, [XXX], located in [XXX], and I was told there are no recalls for the VIN number that I provided. Another owner said she/he went to a Lexus dealer in [XXX] and she was told it…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11743901

Service brakes

23 reports3 crashes
“While trying to leave my driveway my brakes went out almost causing me to go through a pasture fence. On the dash board popped up ABS and VSC warning. Now the module and regulator is making a horrible sound. And clicks”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2026Service brakesODI 11731465

Engine

17 reports1 fire
“Vvt-I oil line failure. Limited service campaign ended in Dec 2021. No notice sent, no repairs suggested at the dealership within the eligible period. Vvt-I failed and engine lost all oil in minutes while driving, coating the front passenger brake caliper and rendering the breaking dangerously difficult on the passenger side on the highway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2025EngineODI 11635792

Electrical system

10 reports1 crash1 fire
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Lexus RX 350. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 114,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Owner’s Title was 265,000 based on a Carfax Report. After speaking to the son of the former owner, the contact was informed that the last known mileage was 278,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2025Electrical systemODI 11682165

Structure

10 reports1 crash
“I HAVE HAD TO CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE I BECAME THE OWNER OF IT. #1 THE HEADLAMP GETS VERY FOGGY. EVERY 2-3 MONTHS I TAKE IT TO THE CAR WASH, THEY POP IT OUT AND CLEAN IT. I GET THIS DONE BECAUSE THE LAMP LOOKS VERY DIM WHILE I AM DRIVING IT AT NIGHT AND IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THAT THE DASHBOARD IS HEAVILY CRACKED TO THE POINT WHERE MY SON IS ABLE TO PICK OFF PIECES AND TRIES TO PUT IT IN HIS MOUTH. I AM AFRAID OF WHAT TOXIC CHEMICALS THE CRACKED DASHBOARD IS EXPOSING ME AND MY CHILD TO. I CALLED LEXUS TO GET THESE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BOTH OF THESE ARE NOW 1 YEAR PAST THE WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF THIS CAR SINCE 2017 AND I NEVER GOT NOTICE OF EITHER OF THESE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENTS. BEFORE THAT MY DAD OWNED IT AND HE ALSO NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE. I HAVE FILED A CASE # WITH LEXUS [XXX]. THEY NOW TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN EXISTING FOR THE LAST 4-5 YEARS! *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 8, 2019Exterior lighting, StructureODI 11279057

Service brakes, hydraulic

10 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2022Service brakes, hydraulic, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11468955
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.