Avoid: 2013, 2008, 2007, 2006 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2012 (few owner reports) · Best recent: 2019
20 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 22 model years, the Lexus GS has 848 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 26 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are vehicle speed control and service brakes. 2006 drew the most complaints (180), 2019 the fewest (1).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Lexus GS vehicles (US, public record).
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2013 | 59 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 67 |
| 2007 | 131 |
| 2006 | 180 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2001 | 24 |
| 2000 | 44 |
| 1999 | 62 |
| 1998 | 105 |
| 1996 | 5 |
Highest: 2006 (180 complaints). Lowest: 2019 (1).
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, build quality, and overall ownership experience.
Lack of Apple CarPlay, slow and unresponsive screen, missing features like birds-eye view camera and massaging seats compared to rivals.
Requires premium fuel, expensive tires (especially F-Sport run-flats), and generally higher costs for parts and maintenance compared to non-luxury brands.
Naturally aspirated V6 (2GR-FKS) perceived as not fast, especially compared to turbocharged German competitors; 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) times around 5.9 seconds noted.
Noted for slightly worse MPG than key competitors in city, highway, and combined cycles despite lower performance output.
Isolated mention of the V6 engine having a reputation for a costly oil leak, though not elaborated as a widespread failure.
Owner insights cover all generations of the GS. Individual model years are broken down above.
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