DecodedCars2008 Lexus GS
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 350 4dr Sedan RWD, 450h 4dr Sedan RWD, 460 4dr Sedan RWD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 22 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 190.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,704–4,134 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 30 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Lexus GS is a compact car offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 4.6L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 190 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,704 lb (350 4dr Sedan RWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (22 city / 27 highway), 5% better than the 2008 compact car average of 21.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2008
- Engine added: 4.6L 8-cyl
- Engine dropped: 4.3L 8-cyl
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 GS →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350 4dr Sedan RWD | 190.2 in | 71.7 in | 56.3 in | 111.8 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,704 lb | 53/47 |
| 450h 4dr Sedan RWD | 190.2 in | 71.7 in | 56.3 in | 112.2 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 4,134 lb | 53/47 |
| 460 4dr Sedan RWD | 190.2 in | 71.7 in | 56.3 in | 111.8 in | 61 / 61 in | 3,836 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS 450h Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 / 25 / 23 | +5% | $3,550 | 386 |
| GS 350 | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | +4% | $3,750 | 404 |
| GS 350 AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | -5% | $4,100 | 444 |
| GS 460 | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -5% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Lexus GS under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Lexus GS (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2008 BMW 5 Series | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2008 Audi A4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Audi A6 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Jun 26, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V432000 · 114,998 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 and GS450h, 2006-2013 Lexus IS350 and 2010-2014 Lexus IS350C vehicles, equipped with 3.5L V6 2GR-FSE gasoline engines. The diaphragms in the fuel pulsation dampers may harden over time and develop cracks, possibly causing a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new pipe that has improved pulsation dampers, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is JLF.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Oct 15, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V647000 · 422,509 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Lexus LS vehicles manufactured May 9, 2006, to July 20, 2010, 2006-2011 Lexus GS vehicles manufactured January 6, 2005, to September 10, 2010, and 2006-2011 Lexus IS vehicles manufactured August 30, 2005, to September 10, 2010. Due to anti-corrosion plating remnants, fuel may leak from where the fuel pressure sensor is attached to the fuel delivery pipe.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will clean and reseal the fuel pressure sensor mounting area, free of charge. The recall began March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Engine · Sep 4, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V395000 · 101,584 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Lexus GS350 vehicles manufactured June 19, 2006, through July 12, 2011; and model year 2006-2011 Lexus IS350 vehicles manufactured May 27, 2005, through July 13, 2011; and model year 2010-2011 Lexus IS350c vehicles manufactured November 25, 2009, through July 19, 2011. These vehicles, equipped with the 2GR-FSE engine, use bolts to secure the housing and sprocket of the Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) system gear assembly. These bolts could become loose due to abnormal impacts generated within the gear assembly immediately after a cold start-up.
- Risk
- The loose bolts could cause the VVT gear housing and sprocket to separate and result in the engine stopping while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the VVT unit free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine · Jul 6, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V309000 · 138,874 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2008 LEXUS PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 26, 2005 THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2008. MICRO-FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE MATERIAL OF THE VALVE SPRING MAY DEGRADE THE STRENGTH OF THE VALVE SPRING, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE SPRING TO BREAK.
- Risk
- THE ENGINE COULD FAIL AND STOP SUDDENLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Not every 2008 Lexus GS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Lexus GS buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 12 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 5 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Service Brakes — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Lexus GS. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other GS years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 GS | 23 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 GS | 26 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 1 |
| 2018 GS | 31 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 4 |
| 2017 GS | 31 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 6 |
| 2016 GS | 31 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 10 |
| 2015 GS | 31 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2014 GS | 31 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2013 GS | 31 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 37 |
| 2011 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2010 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 15 |
| 2009 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 3 |
| 2007 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 55 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →