Owners have filed 60 complaints
about the 2006 Lexus GS with NHTSA between 2012 and 2025.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 5 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 — 100
Against the median year of the Lexus GS. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 60
11.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 10
6% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
13.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
13.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
39.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
26.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
26.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1957.6%
150,000+ miles
515.2%
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.
Mar 2012peak 6Feb 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2006 Lexus GS
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ10003Opened 16 Feb 2010Closed 1 Mar 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additiona...
Recalls on the 2006 Lexus GS
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.
United States — NHTSA
11V029000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 LEXUS IS AND MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 LEXUS GS VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTED TO AN ENGINE FUEL DELIVERY PIPE WITH NICKEL PHOSPHORUS PLATING, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT, OVER TIME, THE PRESSURE SENSOR COULD LOOSEN. IF LOOSENING OCCURS, FUEL COULD LEAK PAST A GASKET USED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE PIPE AND THROUGH THE THREADED PORTION OF THE SENSOR.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
10V499000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Risk: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
09V020000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 214,570 MY 2006-2008 LEXUS IS, MY 2006-2007 GS AND MY 2007-2008 LS PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM FUEL DELIVERY PIPES (FUEL RAILS). ETHANOL FUELS WITH A LOW MOISTURE CONTENT WILL CORRODE THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF THE FUEL RAILS. AS THIS CONDITION PROGRESSES, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE.
Risk: OVER TIME, THE CORROSION MAY CREATE A PINHOLE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
07V545000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, HIGH STRESS AREAS MAY HAVE BEEN CREATED IN TWO SPECIFIC FUEL PIPES LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COMBINED WITH OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS THE PRESENCE OF CORROSIVE AGENTS IN FUEL, A CRACK MAY FORM OVER TIME LEADING TO FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL LINE(S).
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
06V121000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS (BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER) BECOME LOCKED, THEY MAY NOT RELEASE DUE TO A COMPONENT OF THE EMERGENCY LOCKING SYSTEM. IF THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED IN THIS CONDITION, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY FASTEN THE SEAT BELT.
Risk: AN OCCUPANT NOT PROPERLY WEARING A SEAT BELT MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.
06V096000
AIR BAGS
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Risk: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Kent, WACrash1 injured1 killed
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6.The crash involved complex vehicle systems that may have been manipulated using advanced techniques. I have it documented as a PDF files, can email anytime...
NHTSA complaint #11644519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I was hit head on and all the other airbags went off except for my steering wheel airbag. I broke my nose and ripped of part of my lip and needed over 30 stitches. I also job have painful scaring on my face. I was wearing my seat belt as well. The insurance company has the vehicle now so I don't know if it's available for inspection I don't know if it's been inspected by anyone. I didn't see any specific warning lights connected to the steering wheel or airbag system Although there were lights for the tire sensors.
NHTSA complaint #11443376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, TXCrash1 injured
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was hit head on and all the other airbags went off except for my steering wheel airbag. I broke my nose and ripped of part of my lip and needed over 30 stitches. I also job have painful scaring on my face. I was wearing my seat belt as well. The insurance company has the vehicle now so I don't know if it's available for inspection I don't know if it's been inspected by anyone. I didn't see any specific warning lights connected to the steering wheel or airbag system Although there were lights for the tire sensors.
NHTSA complaint #11443376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Kent, WACrash1 injured1 killed
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6.The crash involved complex vehicle systems that may have been manipulated using advanced techniques. I have it documented as a PDF files, can email anytime...
NHTSA complaint #11644519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
POWER TRAIN
I have been facing transmission issues that require the vehicle to shift up to move even at low speeds, with the transmission shifting either hard or smoothly, and often unnecessarily to a higher gear. This issue is rare but occurs frequently. I think this is a factory defect because I have been seeing lots of YouTube videos where they mention that the transition in these cars feels jerky, sluggish, etc.
NHTSA complaint #11587753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakwood, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front windshield is loose and vibrates/flutters when driving. The car has not been in an accident and has no apparent rust. It has been garaged and is available for inspection. There are no warning indicators. My concern is that the windshield could unseat or break while driving. Self inspection shows the windshield is loose when gentle pressure is applied from both internal top sides of window. A possible related issue is damage to rearview mirror where mirror coating is damaged to the point where it is unusable.
NHTSA complaint #11585744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bonita Springs, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ECM is not functioning properly it is a safety as the car when downshifting jumps and it can be easy to lose control of the vehicle. I’ve taken it to a few people and there was a service bulletin and recall for the ECM but not on my VIN number it has not been inspected there are no check engine lights on the vehicle but ir continues to very hard shift from 2nd to 1st.
NHTSA complaint #11556240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Burnie, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My Lexus GS430 has a fuel rail leak that is leaking into the engine bay and has a strong smell of fuel into the cabin of the car. It is especially strong in the cabin when the heat or air conditioning is utilized. It is extremely dangerous and after researching I have found that it a problem with several of the Lexus lines of cars built around the 2006-2008 models.
NHTSA complaint #11451620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattlw, WA
ENGINE
Car is consuming excessive amounts of oil. A quart every 200 miles or so. Also even after doing an oil change the car is not leaking the oil but burning it. Please enforce The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (originally enacted in 1966 and now recodified as 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301). Contacted lexus but the car is out of warranty. The car is burning too much oil leading to more pollutants.
NHTSA complaint #11443937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car wouldn’t start. Had it diagnosed and found out my fuel pressure sensor had melted and was leaking fuel had it replaced bug still smell gas in and around car. Car was under recalm for same issue years back and was serviced at the dealership. So I don’t see how im liable for repairs if it was a problem when the car came off the assembly line
NHTSA complaint #11443431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
ENGINE
Car wouldn’t start. Had it diagnosed and found out my fuel pressure sensor had melted and was leaking fuel had it replaced bug still smell gas in and around car. Car was under recalm for same issue years back and was serviced at the dealership. So I don’t see how im liable for repairs if it was a problem when the car came off the assembly line
NHTSA complaint #11443431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car wouldn’t start. Had it diagnosed and found out my fuel pressure sensor had melted and was leaking fuel had it replaced bug still smell gas in and around car. Car was under recalm for same issue years back and was serviced at the dealership. So I don’t see how im liable for repairs if it was a problem when the car came off the assembly line
NHTSA complaint #11443431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I was hit head on and all the other airbags went off except for my steering wheel airbag. I broke my nose and ripped of part of my lip and needed over 30 stitches. I also job have painful scaring on my face. I was wearing my seat belt as well. The insurance company has the vehicle now so I don't know if it's available for inspection I don't know if it's been inspected by anyone. I didn't see any specific warning lights connected to the steering wheel or airbag system Although there were lights for the tire sensors.
NHTSA complaint #11443376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, TXCrash1 injured
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was hit head on and all the other airbags went off except for my steering wheel airbag. I broke my nose and ripped of part of my lip and needed over 30 stitches. I also job have painful scaring on my face. I was wearing my seat belt as well. The insurance company has the vehicle now so I don't know if it's available for inspection I don't know if it's been inspected by anyone. I didn't see any specific warning lights connected to the steering wheel or airbag system Although there were lights for the tire sensors.
NHTSA complaint #11443376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesFresno, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ALONG WITH ECU PROBLEMS. CAR HAS ROUGH DOWN SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHEN IN MOTION . AFTER DOING RESEARCH MANY LEXUS GS MODELS HAVE THOSE COMMON ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11399541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesFresno, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ALONG WITH ECU PROBLEMS. CAR HAS ROUGH DOWN SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHEN IN MOTION . AFTER DOING RESEARCH MANY LEXUS GS MODELS HAVE THOSE COMMON ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11399541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,000 milesFlorissant, MO
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE STEERING WHEEL IS STILL LOCKED THIS DAY. I CAN'T TURN IT LEFT OR RIGHT. I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A ACCIDENT WITH THE SUDDEN LOST OF POWER STEERING TO MY VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11351924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,000 milesFlorissant, MO
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE STEERING WHEEL IS STILL LOCKED THIS DAY. I CAN'T TURN IT LEFT OR RIGHT. I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A ACCIDENT WITH THE SUDDEN LOST OF POWER STEERING TO MY VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11351924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 177,000 milesEaton Rapids, MI
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NOT SHIFTING OUT OF THIRD AND JERKING
NHTSA complaint #11340943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miramar, FL
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE BACKING ON THE GLASS OF THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR HAS DISINTEGRATED ENCUMBERING VISIBILITY AND DIMINISHING THE MIRROR'S PURPOSE AND FUNCTION. LEXUS HAS A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE GLASS BUT THE DEALERS ARE NOT MAKING IT AVAILABLE. INSTEAD, THE DEALERS ARE FORCING US TO PURCHASE A NEW MIRROR AT A COST OF $1400 PLUS TAX AND THE COST OF INSTALLATION. MIRRORS ARE A BASIC COMPONENT OF ALL VEHICLES AND PROPER VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING IS A MUST. I DON'T THINK IT IS UNREASONABLE TO BELIEVE THAT THE MIRRORS SHOULD LAST THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ON A LUXURY VEHICLE. LEXUS SHOULD BE REPLACING THE GLASS AT NO COST.
NHTSA complaint #11327332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
VISIBILITY/WIPER
INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR HAS PROGRESSIVELY DEVELOPED BLACK MARKINGS OVER PAST SEVERAL YEARS THROUGHOUT THE MIRROR OBSTRUCTING MY REARVIEW VISION IN BOTH DAYLIGHT AND AFTER DARK. VERY WELL DOCUMENTED BY OTHER LEXUS OWNERS. LEXUS HAS NOT AND IS NOT PLANNING ON ANY RECALLS BUT THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY RISK AND HAS CAUSED SEVERAL CLOSE ENCOUNTERS AS I HAD MY VISION OBSTRUCTED AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DUE TO OBSTRUCTED VIEW. HAVE PRESENTED THIS CONCERN TO LEXUS NUMEROUS TIMES BUT WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BUT THE REPLACEMENT MIRROR IS $1000. I AM THE SOLE OWNER SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 2005, GARAGED HOME AND WORK, EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED AT LEXUS DEALERSHIP SINCE NEW AND WITH EACH SERVICE, IT IS DISCUSSED BUT WITHOUT SUPPORT FOR REPLACEMENT. CLEARLY IS MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN PRODUCTION AND INCREASING SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #11320649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesHollywood, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS DEVELOPED BLACK SPOTS WITHIN THE GLASS AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF IT. THERE IS TSB (L-SB-0043-16} BUT NOT A RECALL... THE LEXUS BELONGED TO MY FATHER THAT PASSED AWAY AND NEVER REALLY DROVE THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #11319595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBaltimore, MD
ENGINE
VSC/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
NHTSA complaint #11318906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBaltimore, MD
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
VSC/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
NHTSA complaint #11318906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBaltimore, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VSC/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
NHTSA complaint #11318906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,125 milesMiami, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS MODULE UNIT FAILURE DOES NOT PROVIDED PROPER PRESSURE TO BRAKE ON TIME ..VERY SLOW RESPONSE TIME TO BRAKE ...
NHTSA complaint #11316686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
VISIBILITY/WIPER
INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR DEVELOPED BLACK MARKINGS THROUGHOUT MIRROR MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO VISUALIZE REARVIEW TRAFFIC. THE RESPONSE FROM LEXUS IS THAT THE GLASS ITSELF OR THE MATERIALS BEHIND THE GLASS ARE BREAKING DOWN RESULTING IN THE FUNCTIONAL LOSS OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR WHICH NOW HAS BECOME DANGEROUS FOR DRIVING. HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE OVER PAST SEVERAL YEARS. LEXUS IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND OCCURS IN A NUMBER OF THEIR OLDER MODELS BUT IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING OR REPLACING MIRROR WHICH COSTS THE CONSUMER ALMOST $2000 FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT WHICH IS FINANCIALLY UNOBTAINABLE FOR MANY OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #11296926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesRichmond, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
HELLO EVERYONE -- I HAVE 06 LEXUS GS300. I HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, NEW VALVE SIX SOLENOIDS. BECAUSE I HAD HARSH ON THE 2 TO 1 DOWNSHIFT. THAT DIDN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM, AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE ECU THE NEW COMPUTER WILL COST ME $1550 ON TOP OF THE $2200 I HAD TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND LABOR TOO. THEIR SHOULD BE A RECALL NOTICE. HOW CAN WE ALERT LEXUS OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHIFT THE COST TO THEM FOR THEIR REPAIRS?
NHTSA complaint #11292464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.