CarRecordBook

Model year record

2008 Lexus Rx Hybrid recalls & problems

The 2008 Lexus Rx Hybrid has 1 safety recall and 57 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (19 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints57filed by owners
Crashes · fires18 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths10 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Hybrid propulsion systemSep 4, 2013

Inverter

Recall 13V396000133,081 vehicles

Problem
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
Risk
The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Vehicle speed control19150932,318 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module1120020,000 mi
Service brakes830280,000 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery510020,050 mi
Steering510043,325 mi
Service brakes, electric3000—
StructureBody310056,380 mi
Exterior lighting300089,000 mi
Air bags330180,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield; Defroster/defogger/hvac system2000—
Fuel/propulsion system2000—
Engine2000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations