Head-to-head reliability
Lexus GS vs Toyota Camry
How the Lexus GS and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lexus GS vs Toyota Camry: The GS has 16 complaints over 10 years (1.6/year) and 5 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The GS's main issues are steering and fuel pump, while the Camry's are power train and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus GS or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus GS
The Lexus GS is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint volume: 16 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1.6 per year. Owners report issues with steering feel, interior materials, and fuel system components, but the overall pattern suggests fewer chronic problems than mainstream vehicles. However, the GS has 5 recalls, all for the fuel pump, indicating a known defect that can cause stalling.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging 205.6 per year. The most common areas are power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and brake noise. The Camry also has 31 recalls covering seats, air bag sensors, and wheels, showing a broader range of safety-related issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus GS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 16 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.6 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lexus GS
- 01STEERING7
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
- 04LANE DEPARTURE2
- 05VISIBILITY1
Owners of 2016-2017 GS models report a 'sticky' or 'notchy' steering feel at highway speeds, and lane keeping assistance that fails on curves about half the time. These issues can make the car feel unpredictable and require constant correction.
Complaints describe the engine roaring and the car lunging forward without acceleration, and a low-pressure fuel pump that cuts off while driving, requiring a battery reset. This can lead to sudden loss of power or unintended acceleration.
Owners report interior trim delamination and a melting, sticky dashboard, especially in hot climates. While not safety-critical, these defects are unsightly and expensive to fix.
The lane keeping assistance intermittently fails on curved highways, and the steering wheel can stiffen and lock at speed. This reduces driver confidence and may require forceful intervention.
“The system which has intermittent failure on my 2017 Lexus GS350 is the lane keeping assistance safety option. The system seems to work almost perfectly on straight highways. But highways with curves seem to fail at about a 50% rate and human intervention is…”
“I am experiencing a persistent and potentially hazardous steering issue with my 2016 Lexus GS 350 AWD (Luxury Package). At highway speeds (typically 60 mph and above), the steering exhibits a distinct "sticky" or "notchy" sensation around the center position.…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and hesitation/shuddering with check engine lights. These issues can leave you stranded or cause delayed acceleration.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and repeated hesitation and shuddering. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common. Brake problems affect stopping reliability and can be costly to diagnose.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This suggests electrical or software glitches that are hard to pinpoint and fix.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lexus GS — 5 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Lexus GS or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus GS has far fewer complaints per year (1.6 vs. 205.6) and fewer recalls (5 vs. 31), indicating a lower rate of reported problems. In practice, this means a GS buyer is less likely to encounter frequent or widespread issues, though the GS still has notable fuel pump and steering concerns.
Key differences
- The Lexus GS has 16 complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- The GS's top complaint is steering (7 reports), often about sticky feel or lane keeping failures; the Camry's top complaint is power train (385 reports), including key stuck and hesitation.
- The GS has 5 recalls, all for the fuel pump, which can cause stalling; the Camry has 31 recalls covering seats, air bags, and wheels, indicating a wider variety of safety defects.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, compared to 1 crash and 1 injury for the GS, suggesting more severe outcomes in reported incidents.
- Check for a sticky or notchy steering feel at highway speeds, especially around the center position, as owners report this on 2016-2017 GS models.
- Inspect the dashboard and interior trim for melting, stickiness, or delamination, particularly on 2016-2018 models, as this is a common complaint.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it may require battery disconnection, a reported issue on 2023 Camrys.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake disengages properly, as these are common brake complaints.
Before you buy
- Confirm that all open recalls, especially the fuel pump recall on the Lexus GS, have been completed by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
- During a test drive, pay attention to steering feel at highway speeds and any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Inspect the interior for dashboard melting or trim delamination, especially on the Lexus GS, and check the Camry's brake pedal for unusual noises.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model to check for fuel pump issues, brake problems, and electronic glitches.
- Review the vehicle's complaint history on NHTSA using the VIN to see if it has been involved in any crash or injury reports.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lexus GS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
| 2019 | 1 | 395 |
| 2018 | 3 | 744 |
| 2017 | 1 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lexus GS or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus GS vs Toyota Camry
- Lexus GS total complaints
- 16
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lexus GS total recalls
- 5
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus GS avg complaints/year
- 1.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lexus GS
- Lexus GS top complaint area
- STEERING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN