Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Lexus IS F
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
853.3%
Median failure at 70,425 miles
Engine & Cooling
320.0%
Median failure at 160,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.7%
Median failure at 5 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
16.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 8,900 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
112.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
112.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
112.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
112.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
225.0%
150,000+ miles
225.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2010peak 2Apr 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Lexus IS F
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2008 Lexus IS F
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
Recall 2017007130,661 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Depending on the model, dealers will either replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator or airbag assembly. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.
Recall 201445818,949 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment may have been produced with particles from the anti-corrosion plating on the gasket seating surface where the fuel pressure sensor is installed. This could affect the sealing properties of the gasket seated between the pressure sensor and the pipe, potentially resulting in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the gasket and repair the gasket seating surface.
Recall 201303116,756 units in Canada
Visual System
On certain vehicles, the wiper arm securing nuts could have been insufficiently tightened during assembly. If the movement of the wipers is restricted by an external load, such as heavy snow on the windshield, the wiper arms could slip and one or both wipers could become inoperative. If this occurs, driver visibility could be reduced, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will clean the mating surface of the wiper arm and motor shaft and install improved wiper arm nuts.
Recall 2009290437,445 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, the accelerator pedal may become stuck in the wide open position due to an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death. Correction: Dealers will reconfigure the shape of the accelerator pedal. Certain models will also have the shape of the floor underneath the accelerator pedal modified and/or a brake override system installed.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 8,900 milesKaysville, UTCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS IS-F. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE DOOR AT A LOCAL SHOP. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS VEHICLE AND THEY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8900.
NHTSA complaint #10300319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Elkridge, MD
POWER TRAIN
PER THE FORUMS AND USED FB GROUPS, ALL ISFS YEAR MODELS 2008-2014 ARE AFFECTED THE VALLEY PLATE LEAK DUE TO THE FACT THAT TOYOTA/LEXUS UTILIZED THE IMPROPER SEALANT AND USED THE IMPROPER AMOUNT, LEADING TO THE HEAT EXCHANGER LEAKING COOLANT ONCE THE ORIGINAL, INADEQUATE SEALANT BEGINS TO DISINTEGRATE. THIS COULD CAUSE A CONDITION WHERE THE ENGINE COULD FAIL AND SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. FURTHERMORE, ALL ISFS WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A CRACKED RH MANIFOLD ON THE #8 RUNNER. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD IN ADDITION TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. I PERSONALLY HAD THIS ISSUE ON MY 2008 AND KNOW AT LEAST 100 OWNERS WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS ISSUE FIXED. I AM SURE MANY MORE ARE OUT THERE.
NHTSA complaint #11321393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkridge, MD
ENGINE
PER THE FORUMS AND USED FB GROUPS, ALL ISFS YEAR MODELS 2008-2014 ARE AFFECTED THE VALLEY PLATE LEAK DUE TO THE FACT THAT TOYOTA/LEXUS UTILIZED THE IMPROPER SEALANT AND USED THE IMPROPER AMOUNT, LEADING TO THE HEAT EXCHANGER LEAKING COOLANT ONCE THE ORIGINAL, INADEQUATE SEALANT BEGINS TO DISINTEGRATE. THIS COULD CAUSE A CONDITION WHERE THE ENGINE COULD FAIL AND SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. FURTHERMORE, ALL ISFS WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A CRACKED RH MANIFOLD ON THE #8 RUNNER. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD IN ADDITION TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. I PERSONALLY HAD THIS ISSUE ON MY 2008 AND KNOW AT LEAST 100 OWNERS WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS ISSUE FIXED. I AM SURE MANY MORE ARE OUT THERE.
NHTSA complaint #11321393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesRoseburg, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAN'T SEE OUT OF REAR VIEW MIRROR THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ALMOST BACKED UP INTO SOMETHING IN THE CITY AND ALMOST HIT A CAR ON HIGHWAY CHANGING LANES BECAUSE MIRROR IS CLOUDY.
NHTSA complaint #11209828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Petersburg, FL
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" - I RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM LEXUS IN EARLY 2017 STATING THAT MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF A RECALL DUE TO FAULTY TAKATA INFLATORS. THE STATEMENT SHOWED THAT MY VEHICLES AIRBAG REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE RECALL COULD BE DELAYED BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WERE PUT INTO CATEGORIES BASED ON THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND STATING THE CHANCE OF DEGRADATION BY WHERE YOU LIVED. THE INFO STATED THEY WOULD BE IN TOUCH WITH ME AT A LATER DATE WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE MORE AT RISK. THIS WAS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I NOW LIVE IN FLORIDA WHERE IT IS VERY HOT, AND SINCE MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AN TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT AND/OR REPAIR, I CANNOT REGISTER IT FOR THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #11016401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 237,000 milesNavarre, FL
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG RECALL IN INCOMPLETE AND ENGINE IS KNOCKING.
NHTSA complaint #10992960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 237,000 milesNavarre, FL
ENGINE
AIRBAG RECALL IN INCOMPLETE AND ENGINE IS KNOCKING.
NHTSA complaint #10992960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. WE RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THIS AIRBAG ON MAY 2016. FAST FORWARD TO MARCH 2017 AND A REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL IS FINALLY AVAILABLE!! WHEN I CALLED MY AUTHORIZED LEXUS DEALER IN CONCORD, CA I WAS TOLD THAT I'LL BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I WAS TOLD IT COULD TAKE 2-3 WEEKS. WHAT'S THE POINT OF ADVISING THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT A REMEDY IS AVAILABLE IF THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT PREPARED TO FIX THE ISSUE WHEN WE'VE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A YEAR FOR A RESOLUTION!!
NHTSA complaint #10965897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piscataway, NJ
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - IT IS TAKING TOO LONG FOR A REMEDY. I HAVE HAD TO USE ANOTHER CAR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. A FIX WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AVAILABLE THIS MONTH. HOW WILL I BE COMPENSATED FOR EXPENSES, MILEAGE, AND/OR WEAR & TEAR ON THE OTHER VEHICLE?
NHTSA complaint #10946481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,850 milesFayetteville, GA
AIR BAGS
PLUG FOR KNEE AIRBAG BECOMES LOOSE AND TRIGGERS AIRBAG LIGHT. BASED ON DEALER FEEDBACK THIS IS A WIRE HARNESS PLUG ISSUE AND WILL CAUSE THE KNEE AIRBAG TO NOT INFLATE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN CAUSE BY A POSSIBLE DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10908213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesPalos Verdes Peninsula, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS IS F. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MAY 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ UPDATED 08/15/2017
NHTSA complaint #10897057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Victoryville, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS IS F. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10883577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,888 milesFairburn, GA
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG DASH LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10870041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesCulver City, CA
ENGINE
COOLANT LEAK FROM WATER PUMP. STEAM SHOW UP TOWARDS ENGINE BAY'S FIRE WALL. LEAK IS EXTREMELY CLOSE TO ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT. FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE WITH MODELS BASE DON THIS CHASSIS: HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS/IS-F/570931-WATER-PUMP-LEAKING.HTML PLEASE INVESTIGATE WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR THIS ISSUE, AND INITIATE A RECALL SO THAT OTHERS WHO HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET CAN BE REIMBURSED.
NHTSA complaint #10592947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Destin, FL
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I RECEIVED 2 RECALLS IN THE MAIL ONE WAS FOR FRONT WIPER NUT AND THE OTHER WAS TRUNK RELEASE LEVER. I CALLED LEXUS OF MOBILE TO SET UP APT TO HAVE THE RECALLS FIXED. I LIVE IN DESTIN, FL AND MOBILE IS THE CLOSEST LEXUS DEALERSHIP. I HAVE HAD ANOTHER RECALL ON MY LEXUS ISF AND THEY PICKED IT UP AND LEFT ANOTHER LEXUS UNTIL THEY WERE ABLE TO HAVE IT DONE. THIS LEXUS DEALERSHIP JUST DOESN'T MEET STANDARDS OF THE LEXUS EXPERIENCE I ACTUALLY FLEW TO LEXUS IN KNOXVILLE IN 2008 TO GET MY LEXUS ISF BECAUSE THE MOBILE LEXUS IS HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. WITH ALL THIS SAID THE LADY I TALKED TO TODAY[XXX] WAS ONE OF THE WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE. I ASKED IF THEY COULD PICK UP MY CAR 1. BECAUSE IT IS A 2HR DRIVE 2. I DO WORK LAND 3. I DIDN'T CAUSE THIS RECALL THE LETTER WAS SENT TO ME. SHE TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING DANGEROUS (THE NUT ON THE WIPER) IT WAS ONLY IF YOU WERE DEALING WITH SNOW. THIS MAY BE TRUE I DON'T KNOW BUT I WOULD HATE TO BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT FALL OFF BECAUSE SHE SAYS IT IS NOTHING. THIS BEING SAID SHE SAID NO THEY WOULD NOT PICK UP THE CAR OF COURSE SHE WAS RUDE THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE USUALLY ARE. I FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULD STILL EXPERIENCE THE LEXUS EXPERIENCE I HAVE LOVED MY CAR AND WOULD LIKE TO BUY ANOTHER BUT NOT WITH THIS TYPE OF SERVICE. THE CONVERSATION ENDED WITH HER SAYING SHE WOULD CALL ME TOMORROW BECAUSE IT'S EXPENSIVE FOR THEM TO PAY DRIVERS TO COME HERE. REALLY? WOW! I THOUGHT THAT'S WHY YOU BUY EXPENSIVE CARS TO GET A LITTLE SERVICE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10564071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,900 milesKaysville, UTCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS IS-F. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE DOOR AT A LOCAL SHOP. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS VEHICLE AND THEY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8900.
NHTSA complaint #10300319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.