Lexus GS300 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lexus GS300 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2013 drew the fewest (1) and the 2006 the most (124).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Structure | — | — |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | — |
| 1996 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 1 | Exterior lighting | — | 18 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | Power train | — | — |
| 1994 | 6 | 1 | Suspension | — | 18 |
| 2004 | 6 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | — |
| 1993 | 7 | 1 | Fuel system | — | 18 |
| 1995 | 9 | 1 | Suspension | — | 18 |
| 2003 | 12 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | — |
| 2002 | 13 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | — |
| 2001 | 17 | 0 | Power train | — | — |
| 2000 | 35 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | — |
| 1999 Among the most complaints |
38 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | — |
| 1998 Among the most complaints |
60 | 1 | Vehicle speed control | — | — |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
124 | 2 | Exterior lighting | — | 21 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lexus GS300 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2006 Lexus GS300: 124 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 35 (28%); Engine 18 (15%); Power train 13 (10%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,500 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
1998 Lexus GS300: 60 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 25 (42%); Suspension 10 (17%); Service brakes 7 (12%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 135,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
1999 Lexus GS300: 38 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 12 (32%); Service brakes 10 (26%); Suspension 7 (18%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 98,099 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Lexus GS300 years with the fewest complaints
2013 Lexus GS300: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 1 (100%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Lexus GS300: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 1 (100%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
1996 Lexus GS300: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 1 (50%); Vehicle speed control 1 (50%).
Reports mention 3 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lexus GS300 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 124 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 75,500 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2002 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2001 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 121,000 |
| 2000 | 35 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 96,000 |
| 1999 | 38 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 98,099 |
| 1998 | 60 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 135,000 |
| 1996 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Lexus GS300 recalls
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2018–2019 model years; 1,830,752 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V012000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2019 model year; 1,525,742 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2020; 20V682000)
- Fuel Leak at Fuel Pressure Sensor/Fuel Pipe (2006 model year; 422,509 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2014; 14V647000)
- SUSPENSION:INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM:LOWER:BAL (1993–1994 model years; 27,604 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 1995; 95V072000)
- FLOOR CARPET PAD (2006–2007 model years; 19,647 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2011; 11V115000)
All 7 Lexus GS300 recall campaigns · Lexus GS300 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Lexus GS300 years FAQ
Which Lexus GS300 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2013 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Lexus GS300 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2006, 1998 and 1999 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the vehicle speed control. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Lexus GS300 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the vehicle speed control (81 of 333 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lexus GS300 have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns covering the Lexus GS300. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lexus GS300 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.