Makes›Lexus›SC›2008

2008 Lexus SC

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Class
Minicompact Cars
Body styles
430 2dr Convertible
Engines
4.3L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 16 city / 23 hwy
Length
177.6 in
Curb weight
3,840 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Lexus SC is a minicompact car offered with a 4.3L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 178 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,840 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 6% worse than the 2008 minicompact car average of 20.2 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 SC — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 SC →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
430 2dr Convertible177.6 in72 in53.1 in103.1 in60.2 / 61.4 in3,840 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
SC 4304.3L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-6%$4,350468
Spend $9,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.2 MPG2008 Minicompact Cars average

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 SC under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 minicompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Lexus SC (this car)19 MPGNot rated3
2008 Porsche 91119 MPGNot rated0
2008 Audi R815 MPGNot rated0
2008 Porsche Boxster23 MPGNot rated0
2008 Porsche Cayman23 MPGNot rated0
2008 Cadillac XLR18 MPGNot rated0
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR13 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 17, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Mar 3, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V127000 · 147,242 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Mar 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V128000 · 71,163 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-286.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Lexus SC is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

4Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
Air Bags4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/05: 216/07: 116/10: 116/0516/0716/10max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Lexus SC buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. 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 SC. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other SC years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2010 SC19177.6 inNot rated30
2009 SC19177.6 inNot rated30
2007 SC19177.6 inNot rated318
2006 SC19177.6 inNot rated36
2005 SC18177.6 inNot rated47

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →