2008 Lexus RX engine problems
15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2008 Lexus RX — 21% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Jun 13, 2026
“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…”
filed Jan 14, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine problems in other RX years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 RX | 6 | 11% |
| 2023 RX | 11 | 18% |
| 2022 RX | 3 | 10% |
| 2021 RX | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 RX | 5 | 11% |
| 2019 RX | 7 | 21% |
| 2018 RX | 3 | 12% |
| 2017 RX | 10 | 21% |
| 2016 RX | 5 | 18% |
| 2015 RX | 5 | 25% |
| 2011 RX | 10 | 34% |
| 2010 RX | 20 | 26% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2008 Lexus RX
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.