2008 Lexus RX Lexus RX 2008

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2008 Lexus RX repairs by problem area

Engine (28%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (12%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (32%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (12%)

Other (7%)

Chart based on 169 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Lexus RX.

2008 Lexus RX engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (13%)

$500 - $999 (20%)

$100 - $499 (24%)

< $100 (39%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 46 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Lexus RX 4dr SUV

270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

129000 mi

US $40
Exhaust gasket and bolt assembly where manifold and main pipe meet.Heat shield reattached 

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2008 Lexus RX 4dr SUV

270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

52000 mi

US $475
Oil coolant line leak. Lost 5 pints of oil. 
144000 mi (Very detailed TSB on this issue.) High pressure oil cooling line routed next to exhaust manifold blew. Vehicle did not signal a problem although empty of oil. Driven 20+ miles eating bearings. Lexus replaced cheap lines, not ruined engine. Lexus of Lansing / Spartan Toyota apparently has a service manager looking for a Lexus promotion, and Lexus Regional Rep. with significant hearing problem as they cannot hear engine knocking as a result of running the vehicle with no oil. Lexus of Lansing / Spartan Toyota was paid by Lexus to inspect oil. They refused to hear the obvious engine knock reported & recorded "Cold Start Knocking" of the engine due to bearing failure from TSB paid repair. 
12000 mi Fuel sensor malfunction 

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2008 Lexus RX 4dr SUV

270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD

201000 mi

US $1300
Did the 200K service and change the Intake Manifold Gasket, SparkPlugs, Valve Cover Gasket & O-ring, PCV valve, Oil and Filter, Air + Cabin filters and front and rear break pads and rotors including drum shoes for footbrake. 
206000 mi

US $350
Engine Oil Cooler Pipe broke and cause a massive oil leak and smoke. Thankfully my wife stop right away. I called a towtruck and took the car to the mechanic who replace faulty Engine Oil Cooler Pipe. This is a lexus design flaw. 
209000 mi

US $104
Engine light came on showing error code P0015. Check it my self could not find anything and also the mechanic agree. Put a quart of oil and reset. 
73400 mi

US $100
Heat shield for converter loose and very noisy. fixed with screws 

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2008 Lexus RX 4dr SUV

270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic AWD

92000 mi

US $500
Oil cooler lines rotted out. Replaced with Lexus updated metal lines 
99000 mi

US $650
Leaking water pump 
110000 mi

US $1500
Failure of emissions control system including evaporation canister and related control systems 
126000 mi

US $625
Fuel system sensor A/F ration sensor 
127000 mi

US $700
Fuel system hoses, gas cap and accessory drive tensioner 
7000 mi Oxygen sensor failed. Replaced 
45000 mi exhaust replacement - noisy 
58000 mi Ignition lock cylinder failed, could not turn key. cylinder replaced. 
21000 mi Replaced Mass Air Flow sensor 
190000 mi

US $1300
Replace leaking radiator 
60000 mi gas cap gasket allowing pressure leak, causing engine light warnings. replaced gasket (or whole gas cap?) 
80000 mi

US $155
loose gas cap resulted in warning lights (VSC OFF blinking). dealer insisted on full diagnostics, showed no problems. cost not covered by pre-owned warranty or extended warranty. 
141000 mi

US $280
flexible oil hose under engine broke, was replaced with superior all-metal part. 
199775 mi

US $308
Broken hose nipple on radiator. Dealer wanted to replace the entire radiator but I found replacement for just the nipple, together with the bleeding procedure after refill. 
81200 mi

US $9
Gasket on oil drain plug was bad. 
82000 mi

US $2780
Oil leak. Front gasket on engine. Repair included the drive belt. 
115000 mi

US $125
Leaking water pump. Replaced prior to full failure. Replaced thermostat 
69000 mi Head gasket leaking and needs to be replaced. Also replaced water pump 
69000 mi Oil pump bearing noise. Timing gears were manufactured defectively. Gears needed to be replaced, oil pump, oil cooler needed to be replaced. 
69000 mi Both O2 sensors needed to be replaced 
80000 mi ALL oil leaked out within 2 minutes. Oil cooling pipe burst. 
80300 mi

US $350
Radiator was leaking, needed to be replaced 
137000 mi

US $900
Replaced slow leaking water pump Replaced slow leaking water pump 

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2008 Lexus RX 4dr SUV

209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT FWD

51000 mi Dealer reported car needed new water pump. Car has no coolant leakage or overheat so repair denied. Dealer supplied photo of slight coolant leakage near water pump or temperature sensor. I will an eye on cooling system. 
61000 mi

US $1150
Replaced leaking water pump, as well as timing belt. 
88000 mi

US $300
Water pump leaking, replace 
119000 mi

US $800
Cracked radiator, had to be replaced 

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2008 Lexus RX 4dr SUV

209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD

148642 mi

C $687
Radiator was leaking and needed to be replaced along with coolant 
103000 mi

US $500
New Radiator 
48000 mi Main hybrid battery failed and needed to be replaced 
77000 mi

US $700
Radiator leak, side plastic tank split and lost fluid. Did not overheat and was still drivable but leaving anti-freeze drops on the floor. 
58280 mi oxygen sensor 
181000 mi

US $2500
Inverter 
68200 mi

£431
Oxygen sensor faulty - bank 1 sensor 2 (P0136 & P0138). Sensor replaced 
96000 mi Water pump was leaking coolant - replaced @ no charge from seller 
121000 mi

US $850
Radiator was leaking coolant (replaced, along with both radiator hoses) Also drained and refilled the hybrid system coolant in this repair trip 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Lexus models.

2008 Lexus RX Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Lexus RX problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.