Lexus GS Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Lexus GS options? We analyzed 10 model years (2011–2020) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Lexus GS has 15 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls across model years 2011–2020. The most reported issue area is STEERING. 2016 drew the most complaints; 2015 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Lexus
- Model
- GS
- Model years analyzed
- 2011–2020 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 15
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2016 (5 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2015 (3 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STEERING
- Reliability signal
- Good
By model year
Lexus GS: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
GoodThe LEXUS GS has 15 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 15 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 5 federal recall campaigns
- 1 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
5 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2011–2020. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 15 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
15 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Car keeps pulling to the right at high speed, above 40 mph. Car has been to alignment service and all tires inflated properly. This happens on every trip. Cannot diagnostic the root cause. Suspecting the Steering Rack is the issue.
Car parked in driveway; started engine, shifted into gear, and before I even accelerated, the engine roared and the car lunged forward. Lexus traveled approximmately 50 feet and crashed into the neighbor's concrete wall across the street. I was injured (broken ribs, etc.) and the car was totaled.When reporting accident to insurance company (USAA) I asked representative to have car inspected due to accident circumstances. I do not know if they did an inspection as I was in hospital and at home recuperating. NO prior issue of this type.
You can feel the steering wheel stiffen and lock into place at highway speeds requiring some force to unbind it and turn.
The contact owns a 2018 Lexus GS350. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to a defect in the windshield being glued on one side. The windshield had been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
While A/C is on, passenger side AC vent is blowing warm air while driver side and back seat AC vents are blowing cold air. Lowering the cabin air temperature controls do not correct the issue. It makes the car temperature get hot and uncomfortable, which becomes distracting when driving.
When driving at highway speeds (65mph-75mph) the steering rack in Lexus gs350 (4th generation models) will seem “sticky” on “swooping turns”. A slight jerk is the only way to get out of this sticky feeling. The steering racks have been a major issue with these cars and seem fairly frequent to malfunction. I personally think, considering safety standpoint, the steering rack should be recalled. This issue is very prevalent in many Lexus/toyota models with electronic steering racks (not just the gs350 model) This is my 3rd GS350 (2nd one with this same issue all 4th gen’s)
Read 9 more owner reports
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 quickly required. The car is available for inspection and demonstration of the system failure on a nearby winding road. My safety and my wife's safety were put at risk when I realized that my car was heading for a curb and not making ANY correction. I have not taken it to a dealer or any other kind of diagnostic facility. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance company or anyone else. The system only has an amber warning on the dash when it detects no human inputs to the steering wheel or (I think) pressure on the steering wheel rim. There is also a dash warning when the system detects left/right lane marking swerves and it flashes "Stop for a Rest". I bought the car as a Lexus Certified Used Car just after hurricane Ian here in southwest Florida after my previous Lexus got flooded. Early on I noticed the lane departure and the lane assist on some rare instances did not respond properly. Since the car did not come with any owner manuals I could not determine whether I had not set the systems properly or not. And since the hurricane, I have not traveled long distances frequently with the car to determine a failure pattern. My son has a Lexus with similar features too but does not trust them. He said to have the dealer disable them.
During highway driving speeds low pressure fuel pump is showing symptoms of issues. Car will cut off while driving and requires 12V battery reset. Low pressure fuel pump will make noise similar to a “ humming “ noise from underneath rear seats of the vehicle. Lexus corporate is refusing to perform and include my 2016 Lexus GS-F for the open recall. Lexus manufacturer recall ID : 26LB05 ; NHTSA recall ID : 26V222.
I own a 2016 Lexus GS 350 and noticed in 2018 that the dashboard had a sticky substance not realizing the dashboard of my car was indeed melting! It looks terrible! People get in my car and ask, "What happen to your dashboard?" I live in Houston, Texas where temperatures reach upper 90s even 100s which affects my visibility while driving due to the glare reflected on windshield with melting dashboard. With research it's unfortunate Lexus has not sent out recall notice on this matter. I am all too familiar with a melting dashboard of vehicle as my 2008 Toyota Camry LE had this issue. With time Toyota issued recall notices to owners and promptly resolved by dealership. I express my concern with this issue and I am very surprised that this has not become a recall for Lexus owners. This is not at all safe! It should not take a traffic accident, injury, or death (Lord, forbid) before something is to be done. I can't afford to replace a whole dashboard that should be taken care of by Lexus due to poor manufacturing. This is very much a vehicle safety hazard and appreciate attention to the matter.
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. Specifically, the steering wheel resists small corrective inputs when driving straight and appears to "stick" in place before releasing and allowing directional change. This results in delayed response when attempting to maintain lane position and requires greater-than-normal force to overcome the initial resistance. The condition becomes most noticeable after continuous driving at highway speeds and compromises the vehicle’s ability to respond predictably in situations requiring quick or fine steering adjustments. The issue does not trigger any warning lights or diagnostic codes, and it persists despite the installation of new tires and a professional alignment. Due to the impact this issue has on steering precision and overall highway safety, I am requesting NHTSA review this concern as a potential defect. Lexus has not issued a recall for this problem, and it poses a risk to safe vehicle operation at high speeds.
Vehicle is 2016 lexus GS350 showing clear coat failure on the roof on the edges. Door handles and black pillar cover are not both showing discoloration. The head light cover under both headlights have lost its color. A vehicle of this age should not be having paint failure like this. I contacted the lexus customer service mentioning this is a defect with the paint application and they wouldn't help.
In October 2019 my engine upon start made a knocking/rattling sound. The engine noise continued even after the car was warm. The vacuum pump was diagnosed by the dealership and it was repaired under the manufacturer's warranty. From my understanding, the failure of the vacuum pump could cause the brakes to not respond. In December 2023 the vacuum pump displayed the same knocking/rattling sounds and the dealer diagnosed the vacuum pump as requiring replacement. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms, other than the noise.
1. Steering gear rack 2. The steering wheel feels like it slightly locks in place when changing lanes on the highway. This requires more force than usual to turn the steering wheel back straight, which could cause an accident. It feels like the steering wheel has to go over a notch to get the steering wheel back straight. 3. No. It is a known obvious issue. 4. No. It is a known obvious issue 5. No
The component issue is the dashboard. The dashboard has deteriorated and melted to a sticky, shiny tar with a major shine that is causing a glare and potential blind spot will driving. The problem with my vehicle has been a known issue with several models experiencing similar issues. The manufacture has a habit of not fixing the problem until many attempts made by the owner to rectify the problem or denies the claim that it meets a service bulletin that has expired as in my case.
The contact owns a 2014 Lexus GS450. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the electric power steering assist failed to operate as needed, causing the steering wheel to become stuck. The steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the alternator, but the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 141,000. The VIN was not available.
Showing 15 of 15 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Lexus GS
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Lexus GS, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Lexus GS has 15 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Lexus GS has 5 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 1 of the Lexus GS's 15 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Good) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Lexus GS vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Lexus GS vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Lexus GS has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Lexus GS reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Lexus GS reliable?
Good. The Lexus GS has 15 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STEERING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Lexus GS years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2016 (5 complaints), 2014 (3 complaints), 2015 (3 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Lexus GS problems?
Top reported issues: STEERING (7 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints); FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints).
Does the Lexus GS have recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Lexus GS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.