Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2009 Lexus GS 350 with NHTSA between 2009 and 2019.
The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 20
Against the median year of the Lexus GS 350. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
45.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 95
56% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Lexus GS 350
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Acceleration & Cruise Control
327.3%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 2,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
218.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 42,125 mi
Engine & Cooling
218.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 42,125 mi
Tires
19.1%
Median failure at 6,224 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
19.1%
Median failure at 155,000 miles
Lights
19.1%
Median failure at 1,200 miles
Brakes
19.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 74,750 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
555.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
333.3%
150,000+ miles
111.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2009peak 3Jun 2019
Recalls on the 2009 Lexus GS 350
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
Recall 201445818,949 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment may have been produced with particles from the anti-corrosion plating on the gasket seating surface where the fuel pressure sensor is installed. This could affect the sealing properties of the gasket seated between the pressure sensor and the pipe, potentially resulting in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the gasket and repair the gasket seating surface.
Recall 20132973,922 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, the bolts used to secure the housing and sprocket of the intake-side Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) gear assembly could loosen. If this occurs, the VVT gear will not control the intake valves correctly. In some instances, the VVT gear housing and sprocket could separate, causing the engine to stall. Engine stalling would result in a loss of vehicle propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver’s reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the VVT unit with an improved version.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 74,750 milesNEW Hope, PACrash
POWER TRAIN
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I'M QUOTING AN EXCERPT FROM ANOTHER REPORT THAT I FOUND DOCUMENTED ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME HISTORY AS MINE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LAST AND MOST RECENT EPISODE RESULTED IN A MINOR CRASH. I WAS GOING TO WORK IN PHILA ON A TUES MORNING AT ABOUT 6:45 WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHEN I HAD MY FOOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED HAD ALREADY DECLINED TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AGAIN SURGED FORWARD TO HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME. BOTH DRIVERS GOT OUT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE AND FINDING NONE EXCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MINOR SCRATCH TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED NOT TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE WEATHER THAT MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD BUT THE RECENT SNOW FALL IN PHILA HAD BEEN CLEARED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO LEXUS AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO RECOVER THE EDR WHICH I HAVE ON A THUMB DRIVE AND IS BEING ANALYZED BY TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I'M REQUESTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DATA.
NHTSA complaint #10563539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,750 milesNEW Hope, PACrash
ENGINE
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I'M QUOTING AN EXCERPT FROM ANOTHER REPORT THAT I FOUND DOCUMENTED ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME HISTORY AS MINE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LAST AND MOST RECENT EPISODE RESULTED IN A MINOR CRASH. I WAS GOING TO WORK IN PHILA ON A TUES MORNING AT ABOUT 6:45 WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHEN I HAD MY FOOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED HAD ALREADY DECLINED TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AGAIN SURGED FORWARD TO HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME. BOTH DRIVERS GOT OUT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE AND FINDING NONE EXCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MINOR SCRATCH TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED NOT TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE WEATHER THAT MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD BUT THE RECENT SNOW FALL IN PHILA HAD BEEN CLEARED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO LEXUS AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO RECOVER THE EDR WHICH I HAVE ON A THUMB DRIVE AND IS BEING ANALYZED BY TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I'M REQUESTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DATA.
NHTSA complaint #10563539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,750 milesNEW Hope, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I'M QUOTING AN EXCERPT FROM ANOTHER REPORT THAT I FOUND DOCUMENTED ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME HISTORY AS MINE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LAST AND MOST RECENT EPISODE RESULTED IN A MINOR CRASH. I WAS GOING TO WORK IN PHILA ON A TUES MORNING AT ABOUT 6:45 WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHEN I HAD MY FOOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED HAD ALREADY DECLINED TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AGAIN SURGED FORWARD TO HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME. BOTH DRIVERS GOT OUT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE AND FINDING NONE EXCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MINOR SCRATCH TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED NOT TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE WEATHER THAT MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD BUT THE RECENT SNOW FALL IN PHILA HAD BEEN CLEARED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO LEXUS AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO RECOVER THE EDR WHICH I HAVE ON A THUMB DRIVE AND IS BEING ANALYZED BY TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I'M REQUESTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DATA.
NHTSA complaint #10563539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Washington, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE TIME OR ADEQUATE SPACE AND CONSEQUENTLY, HE STRUCK A BIKE RACK AND SEVERAL BICYCLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE THIRD EVENT HAPPENED LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER WAS BRAKING TO SLOW DOWN AS HE WAS COMING OFF A BRIDGE RAMP. ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE WAY DOWN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE ONCE MORE. HE INADVERTENTLY STUCK THE SIDE OF AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED TRUCK TO AVOID REAR-ENDING A CAR WAITING THE TURN OF A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PAID AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OF $3,000 AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO LEXUS. *JB UPDATED 01/05/12.
NHTSA complaint #10440732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesBakersfield, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS GS 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 3/17/10 *CN UPDATED 06/14/10.
NHTSA complaint #10311437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 155,000 milesHayward, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS GS 350. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL ODOR ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V432000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AT THE END OF AUGUST 2018, BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLISEUM LEXUS OF OAKLAND (LOCATED AT 7273 OAKPORT ST, OAKLAND, CA 94621, (510) 858-2658), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
NHTSA complaint #11222900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,750 milesNEW Hope, PACrash
POWER TRAIN
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I'M QUOTING AN EXCERPT FROM ANOTHER REPORT THAT I FOUND DOCUMENTED ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME HISTORY AS MINE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LAST AND MOST RECENT EPISODE RESULTED IN A MINOR CRASH. I WAS GOING TO WORK IN PHILA ON A TUES MORNING AT ABOUT 6:45 WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHEN I HAD MY FOOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED HAD ALREADY DECLINED TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AGAIN SURGED FORWARD TO HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME. BOTH DRIVERS GOT OUT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE AND FINDING NONE EXCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MINOR SCRATCH TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED NOT TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE WEATHER THAT MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD BUT THE RECENT SNOW FALL IN PHILA HAD BEEN CLEARED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO LEXUS AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO RECOVER THE EDR WHICH I HAVE ON A THUMB DRIVE AND IS BEING ANALYZED BY TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I'M REQUESTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DATA.
NHTSA complaint #10563539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,750 milesNEW Hope, PACrash
ENGINE
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I'M QUOTING AN EXCERPT FROM ANOTHER REPORT THAT I FOUND DOCUMENTED ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME HISTORY AS MINE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LAST AND MOST RECENT EPISODE RESULTED IN A MINOR CRASH. I WAS GOING TO WORK IN PHILA ON A TUES MORNING AT ABOUT 6:45 WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHEN I HAD MY FOOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED HAD ALREADY DECLINED TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AGAIN SURGED FORWARD TO HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME. BOTH DRIVERS GOT OUT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE AND FINDING NONE EXCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MINOR SCRATCH TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED NOT TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE WEATHER THAT MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD BUT THE RECENT SNOW FALL IN PHILA HAD BEEN CLEARED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO LEXUS AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO RECOVER THE EDR WHICH I HAVE ON A THUMB DRIVE AND IS BEING ANALYZED BY TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I'M REQUESTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DATA.
NHTSA complaint #10563539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,750 milesNEW Hope, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I'M QUOTING AN EXCERPT FROM ANOTHER REPORT THAT I FOUND DOCUMENTED ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME HISTORY AS MINE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LAST AND MOST RECENT EPISODE RESULTED IN A MINOR CRASH. I WAS GOING TO WORK IN PHILA ON A TUES MORNING AT ABOUT 6:45 WHEN I SAW THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR LURCH FORWARD WHEN I HAD MY FOOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED HAD ALREADY DECLINED TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AGAIN SURGED FORWARD TO HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME. BOTH DRIVERS GOT OUT TO EXAMINE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE AND FINDING NONE EXCEPT FOR A POSSIBLE MINOR SCRATCH TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED NOT TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE WEATHER THAT MORNING WAS BITTERLY COLD BUT THE RECENT SNOW FALL IN PHILA HAD BEEN CLEARED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO LEXUS AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED WITH TOYOTA WHO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO RECOVER THE EDR WHICH I HAVE ON A THUMB DRIVE AND IS BEING ANALYZED BY TOYOTA. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT ASSURED ME THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I'M REQUESTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DATA.
NHTSA complaint #10563539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Washington, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2009 LEXUS GS 350. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS ADEQUATE SPACE AND TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND EVENT TOOK PLACE NEARLY A YEAR LATER, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE TIME OR ADEQUATE SPACE AND CONSEQUENTLY, HE STRUCK A BIKE RACK AND SEVERAL BICYCLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE THIRD EVENT HAPPENED LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER WAS BRAKING TO SLOW DOWN AS HE WAS COMING OFF A BRIDGE RAMP. ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE WAY DOWN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE ONCE MORE. HE INADVERTENTLY STUCK THE SIDE OF AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED TRUCK TO AVOID REAR-ENDING A CAR WAITING THE TURN OF A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PAID AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OF $3,000 AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO LEXUS. *JB UPDATED 01/05/12.
NHTSA complaint #10440732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laguna Beach, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2009 LEXUS GS350. CONSUMER STATES THAT CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN A HILL OR INCLINE. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WAS THE WAY THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED ON THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT WORK WHILE GOING UP OR DOWN A HILL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE DEPENDING UPON WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING UP OR DOWN AN INCLINE. THE CONSUMER STATED ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BEFORE CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE GAS PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10380608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,500 milesArcadia, CA
POWER TRAIN
LEXUS GS350: EXPERIENCING ONGOING ENGINE KNOCKING NOISES DURING STARTUP, IDLE, AND STOP LIGHT SITUATIONS. DEALER SERVICE ASSURED THAT IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION, HOWEVER THE NOISES DID NOT COME UNTIL ABOUT 9500 MILES. IT DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10375908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,500 milesArcadia, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LEXUS GS350: EXPERIENCING ONGOING ENGINE KNOCKING NOISES DURING STARTUP, IDLE, AND STOP LIGHT SITUATIONS. DEALER SERVICE ASSURED THAT IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION, HOWEVER THE NOISES DID NOT COME UNTIL ABOUT 9500 MILES. IT DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10375908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,224 milesFreehold, NJ
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS GS350 EQUIPPED WITH DUNLOP SPORT P225/50/R17 TIRES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRES DISPLAYED BLISTERS ON THE SIDEWALLS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 6,224. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBERS WERE UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED.
NHTSA complaint #10321736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesBakersfield, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS GS 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 3/17/10 *CN UPDATED 06/14/10.
NHTSA complaint #10311437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,200 milesBranford, CT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS GS350. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SHINING TOO LOW TO THE GROUND. THE FARTHEST THEY SHINE IS 15 FEET IN FRONT HIM WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AS FAR AS THEY CAN WITHIN THE NHTSA SPECIFICATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF UPDATED 02/19/10.
NHTSA complaint #10293360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.