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1997 Lexus GS300: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1997 Lexus GS300, most recently filed May 1999. Owners have filed 0 complaints with NHTSA.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 1campaign 1 suspension Source: NHTSA Complaints 0filed Owner reports, 1993–2003 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 18mpg combined $3,628/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 3 L 6-cyl· 5-speed automatic EPA-listed configuration Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1997 Lexus GS300. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1997 Lexus GS300. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 99V125000 Filed May 19, 1999

TOYOTA/LOWER BALL JOINTS

Suspension · front · control arm · lower ball joint
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE INSIDE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, EXCESSIVE WEAR CAN OCCUR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. SEPARATION OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE ARMS COULD OCCUR.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS.
Repair progress not yet reported2,737 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V125000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which GS300 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Lexus GS300All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (0)

0 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings).

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

NHTSA has no component data for this model year.

How 1997 compares with other GS300 years

Best and worst GS300 years →
7 6 9 2 60 38 35 17 13 12
1993199419951996199819992000200120022003
This year (1997)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
16
city
22
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,550
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1997 Lexus GS300 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18$4,550494

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1997 GS300 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All GS300 years

Where to next

Which GS300 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1997 Lexus GS300 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1997 Lexus GS300 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 99V125000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What mpg does the 1997 Lexus GS300 get?

EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg.

How does the 1997 GS300 compare with other years?

Among the 1993–2003 Lexus GS300 model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1998 the most (60). The 1997 drew 0. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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