NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,462 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Lexus LS 460 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Lexus LS 460 Owner Comments

problem #8

Sep 012021

LS 460

  • 94,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Lexus LS460. The contact stated that the vehicle would erroneously start without anyone being near the vehicle with the starter button not being pressed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the starter however, the failure persisted. The contact indicated that the starter had been replaced on four separate occasions for the same failure. In addition, while driving approximately 40 MPH, a message to "Turn Off Vehicle and Contact Dealer" was displayed and the brake pedal became difficult to depress causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake actuator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The actuator was replaced and the failure was corrected. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- Natchitoches, LA, USA

problem #7

Feb 082019

LS 460

  • 132,000 miles
My Lexus LS460 spontaneously started on fire in a public parking lot. No warning lights, no known car problems. I had parked my car to run into a store. When I turned it off it made a loud repetitive clacking sound. I turned it back on and turned it off again. Same thing. I turned it back on and tried to back up but it stalled. Started to smell... something was burning and smoke was coming from the engine under the hood. Became very clear that the engine was on fire. I called 911 and the fire department responded. Afterwards, I asked them if they could tell how it started...they said no but it was electrical. I will have a report from the fire department in a week.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #6

Jan 012018

LS 460

  • miles
Horn works sometime and the navigation system same as well. Fuses good, and the horns are too. Possibly that it's the clockspring and should be a safety recall.

- St. Robert, MO, USA

problem #5

May 142015

LS 460

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had remarked to the local dealer that it made a clunk noise when starting the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal. This was at 63K mi when I purchased it. I was told it was normal. Approximately 1 year and 10K mi. After I started to experience squealing when braking. I was told by the dealer that no issues were found and that it was most likely caused by cheap aftermarket brakes. I brought the vehicle in for the brakes again and was told that they found nothing wrong, probably just cheap pads. Approximately 3K mi. Later when driving at approx. 35mph. Warning lights illuminated, and stated to take immediately to the dealer. When I took it I was informed there were codes regarding an electrical malfunction and leak, but they found no evidence of the problem. They reset the car and attempted to re-illuminate the warning lights, which they were unable to do. Approx. 1K mi. Later the warning light re-illuminated. When I spoke to the dealer they asked if I had any driveability, or braking issues, which I did not, the car drove and braked normally. I was told they could look at the codes again and reset them, but they would most likely come back on again if it was some other type of malfunction. I was planning on putting the car away for the winter and addressing the issue then, the dealer agreed that it was most likely the best to bring it in prior to taking it off the road for winter. Once again approx. 1K mi. Later a constant beeping started while driving shortly after a hard braking incident. It stopped, but started again 2 wks later while driving home as I approached an exit ramp. I depressed the brake pedal to find I had no braking ability. Pedal to the floor. I entered the 1/16th of a mile ramp at 65mph. I swiftly downshifted enough that I made the turn at the end T on to my street with only minimal fishtail and found that the vsc was still functioning.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #4

Apr 102014

LS 460

  • 61,000 miles
I was advised that the water in the wheel well had compromised the electrical components of the vehicle and may have caused electrical fire damage if this deficiency had not been found. Please provide a copy of the inspection report which was performed at the harvey Lexus of shreveport bossier dealership on 4/14/15, with regard to the 2008 Lexus ls 460 (6/10 inches of water in wheel well, brake actuator/control module knocking sound, sensor and personal property damages) which I purchased at Lexus of new orleans on 3/15/15. Per our conversation on yesterday, April 15, 2015 (1800hrs).we discussed the inspection of the vehicle which is being performed at Lexus of shreveport bossier. The vehicle was found to have water in the wheel well on Friday, April 10, 2015 at 1830hrs. I entered the trunk removed my camera for use to find mildew/mold on the case. I immediately reported this issue to [xxx]. via text message with pictures. I took the vehicle to Lexus of S/B Saturday, April 11, 2008 at 0800hrs. [xxx] did the intake inspection, which [xxx]. and the lead service technician witnessed the 6/10 inches of water in the whether is a problem with the brake actuator/brake control module clicking/knocking sound. He mentioned that there is a recall for a sensor on the 2008 ls 460 model. As of this date, 4/16/15 (0406hrs) the vehicle is at the dealership note: I am a loyal Lexus consumer since 1998. I purchased my first gs 300 Lexus on the island of guam. I have found that Lexus is an extremely well made vehicle and provide quality service. I presently own a 2003 gx 470, 2006 gs 300, 2007 SC 430 and 2008 ls 460, which I purchased two(2) from Lexus of shreveport bossier and two(2) from Lexus of new orleans. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bossier City, LA, USA

problem #3

Apr 022011

LS 460

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus LS460. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, she started smelling wires burning and smoke was emitting from the hood. The fire department was contacted who threw water on the engine and disconnected the battery. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the starter was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted who filed a complaint and stated that they would be contacting her back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 30, 000. Updated 2/8/12

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #2

Dec 012010

LS 460 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2008 Lexus LS400. Consumer states vehicle does not always accelerate properly and has been unable to start on two occasions after long trips. The consumer stated he received a recall notice in the mail, but was informed the parts would not be available for several weeks.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #1

Sep 072008

LS 460 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,700 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus LS460. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start unless the vehicle was jump-started. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the battery was replaced twice; however, the problem still occurred. The dealer performed a diagnostic test but could not find the cause for failure. The contact called the manufacturer but was told that no failure could be found. The failure mileage was approximately 5,700. Updated 11/22/10 the battery failed several times. Updated 11/12/10

- New York City, NY, USA

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