FaultScore

Lexus GS300 brake problems

44 of the 446 complaints filed about the Lexus GS300 are about the braking system — 10% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

44

Complaints

10%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

Brakes complaints by model year

1994 GS300 1 2.3%
1995 GS300 1 2.3%
1998 GS300 8 18.2%

Median failure at 111,000 miles

1999 GS300 10 22.7%

Median failure at 149,500 miles

2000 GS300 7 15.9%

Median failure at 78,000 miles

2001 GS300 2 4.5%
2002 GS300 1 2.3%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

2003 GS300 2 4.5%

Median failure at 147,000 miles

2004 GS300 1 2.3%

Median failure at 118,000 miles

2006 GS300 11 25.0%

Median failure at 57,000 miles

What owners said

2003 Lexus GS300 at 214,000 miles Faison, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LEXUS GS300. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE MADE AN UNUSUAL REVVING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THREE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND DID NOT TURN OFF. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL STIFFENED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

NHTSA complaint #11230207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Lexus GS300 Richmond, VA

SERVICE BRAKES

PURCHASED A 98 GS300 SIX MONTHS AGO AND MY VSC, ABS, BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING GAUGES CAME UP AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND THROTTLE POSITION ACTUATOR WERE THE PROBLEMS. WITH THESE FEW ITEMS GONE BAD MY CAR PRODUCES LITTLE TO NO POWER DURING ACCELERATION. THE CAR BARELY GETS UP TO 45 MPH WITH ACCELERATION PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. WITH THE VSC GONE BAD THERE IS AN ALARM THAT STRETCHES TO UNCOMFORTABLE HEARING LEVELS THAT' HURTS LIKE THE DEVIL. MY CAR WILL LITERALLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF CRUISING AND WON'T PICK UP ANY SPEED UNLESS I HAVE MY FOOT PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, WHICH ALSO OFTEN TIMES CAUSES IT TO TURN OFF ON HIGHWAYS, ALL TYPES OF STREETS AND OTHER AREAS. ALSO WITH THESE ITEMS GONE BAD MY CAR SHIFTS SO HARD TO THE POINT WHERE IT JUMPS WHENEVER I SHIFT INTO ANY POSITION. ALL IN ALL THE VEHICLE, I FEEL , IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME

NHTSA complaint #11034007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lexus GS300 at 108,000 miles Aurora, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE PEDAL FEEL HAS CHANGED OVER TIME. I HAVE TO PRACTICALLY SHOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO START TO WORK. SO WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THE CAR TO START TO SLOW DOWN. THE CAR WILL NOT BRAKE IF I ONLY SLIGHT PUSH THE PEDAL, IT HAS TO BE PUSHED FAR DOWN. THE BRAKES ARE NEW AS THEY WERE JUST DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11019982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Lexus GS300 Long Beach, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

I PURCHASED A VEHICLE OFF THE STREETS AND HAD NO CLUE ON HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS WHEN PURCHASING A SALVAGED VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN IN A AUCTION AFTER A WRECKLESS ACCIDENT. HAD A MASTER CYLINDER MALFUNCTION THAT GOT FIXED BY NOT A LEXUS PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC DUE TO BUDGET REASONS. RECEIVED A CHECK FOR AROUND $20.00 FOR THE RECALL ON THE GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK AROUND 3 YRS. AGO. NO LONGER HAVE POSSEION OF MY LICENSE # PLATE OR VEHICLE. I THINK VIN # WAS A SCAM.

NHTSA complaint #10970369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lexus GS300 at 168,000 miles Lawrenceville, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY A LARGE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA complaint #10938480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Lexus GS300 at 197,000 miles Smithfield, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS GS300. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ABS AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

NHTSA complaint #10926936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Lexus GS300 at 170 miles Clewiston, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

I GOT BRAKES PUT ON AT THE LEXUS OF PALM BEACHES OFF OF OKEECHOBEE BLVD LAST YEAR AND PAID OVER 475 DOLLARS FOR ALL PARTS. AS A RESULT 7 MONTHS LATER MY BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK SO I CALLED THEM AND I WAS NOT ASSISTED WITH NEW PARTS EXCEPT JUST BRAKE SPRAY WHICH IS NOT GOOD. THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND I HAVE A 1 YEAR WARRANTY WHICH ENDS IN ONE MONTH WHICH I FEEL THAT IS WHY THEY DONT WANT TO FIX IT UNTIL THE WAARANTY IS UP

NHTSA complaint #10925572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lexus GS300 SAN Diego, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

LEXUS GS300 2006 ALL HAVE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FAILURES. IT'S REALLY DANGEROUS, ALREADY FOUND OVER 10 CASE OF THE SAME PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10919232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Lexus GS300 at 136,500 miles Montgomery, AL

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING, RAN OVER A POT HOLE FILLED WITH WATER AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHICH ULTIMATELY AFFECTED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. TOOK TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED THE SYSTEM REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST OVER 3500 DOLLARS. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THIS MATTER!!!!! IT HAPPENED NOV. 2015

NHTSA complaint #10908434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Lexus GS300 at 118,000 miles Dublin, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE HOME WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE VCS ON AND OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND AN ALARM TYPE NOISE STARTED,AS I PULLED INTO MY PARKING SPACE I FOUND I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL, INCLUDING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD TO LET MY CAR HIT THE PARKING CURB TO STOP IT, AND THROW MY CAR INTO PARK. HAD THIS HAPPENED SECONDS BEFORE COMING DOWN THE MAIN ROAD, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED I HAD FULL BRAKE FLUID, BUT THE ACTUATOR FAILED. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM. I RESEARCHED ON FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS EVENT, JUST NOT FOR MY MODEL. I CONTACTED LEXUS AND WAS TOLD I COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER (AND PAY THOUSANDS MORE THAN I AM ALREADY WITH MY MECHANIC) AND THEY WOULD SUBMIT THE BILL TO LEXUS TO SEE IF THEY "WANTED" TO "CONSIDER" A REIMBURSEMENT. NOT THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE THE CAR, NO CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVING PUBLIC AT ALL. I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER LEXUS DRIVERS POSTING SIMILAR INCIDENTS FOR OTHER MODELS ALSO NOT INVOLVED IN LEXUS' BRAKE ACTUATOR RECALL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC AND LEXUS NEEDS TO ACT ON IT!!!

NHTSA complaint #10782870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Lexus GS300 at 201,000 miles Clarksville, TN

SERVICE BRAKES

PREPARING TO STOP WHILE ENTERING ACCESS GATE SLOWING TO AROUND 10 - 15 MPH, AFTER APPLYING BRAKE CAR ACCELERATED FORCING ME TO REAPPLY BRAKE AGAIN AND SHIFTING TO PARK. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HIGH LEVEL ACCELERATION HAS HAPPENED ALTHOUGH BEFORE I HAVE NOTICED OCCASIONALLY A LOW LEVEL ACCELERATION WHEN PREPARING TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #10692948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Lexus GS300 at 169,000 miles Birmingham, AL

SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ACCELERATION WHEN I BRAKE,GOING FROM 10MPH TO 60MPH IN SECONDS.

NHTSA complaint #10661897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Lexus GS300 Birmingham, AL

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS GS 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, SO THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 010915*LJ UPDATED 02/02/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. A REPRESENTATIVE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT IT OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. UPDATED 06/3/2015 *JS UPDATED 9/7/2017

NHTSA complaint #10661881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lexus GS300 at 57,000 miles Atlanta, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CALIPER PIN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA complaint #10622122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Lexus GS300 at 114,000 miles Owasso, OK

SERVICE BRAKES

REGARDING MY 2000 GS 300 LEXUS. BRAKE, ABS, VSC, VSC OFF LIGHTS ALONG WITH LOUD ALARM DISPLAYED. ALSO HAS HAD AN ANNOYING ON AND OFF CHIRPING NOISE BEFORE THIS ALARM SOUNDED. THE BREAKS APPEAR TO BE WORKING WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE CHIRPING NOISE IS HEARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHETHER CAR IS MOVING OR DRIVING AND SOMETIMES IS NOT HEARD AT ALL AND THE CAR DRIVES FINE WITHOUT ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. BUT WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON IT WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH A SHRILL ALARM THAT SOUNDED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND WENT OFF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP AND WOULD COST $3700 TO FIX. THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY AND I AM AFRAID THE BRAKES WILL GO OUT AND AFRAID TO DRIVE IT SINCE MY BRAKES MAY SUDDENLY GO OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10556126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Lexus GS300 at 130,000 miles Bellerose Manor, NY

SERVICE BRAKES

THE ABS WILL ACTIVATE BELOW 5 MPH WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE CAR WILL HAVE LITTLE STOPPING ABILITY AND ABS WILL ACTIVATE. THE ROAD SURFACE IS DRY AND CLEAR OF DEBRIS.

NHTSA complaint #10550521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lexus GS300 at 100,249 miles Memphis, TN

SERVICE BRAKES

CAR MAX, INC. SOLD [XXX] A DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE. DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE; 2006 LEXUS GS 300 VIN# [XXX] MILEAGE 100,249 CARMAX STOCK # [XXX]. CARMAX REFUSE TO REPAIR THE AUTOMOBILE. MARCH 9, 2012; ABOUT 8:45 PM (NIGHT), HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED (CUT OFF/ON REPEATEDLY). MARCH 28, 2012; LEXUS OF MEMPHIS REPLACED COGGED AC FILTER. ENGINE FRONT COVER SEAL HAS NOTICEABLE OIL LEAK, AND LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR DOES NOT WORK. INVOICE # [XXX]. MILEAGE 100,952. APRIL 6, 2012; THE FOLLOWING INDICATORS/WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED: BRAKE WEAR, SKID CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK VSC. [XXX], ASE ADVANCE LEVEL SPECIALIST, LEXUS CERTIFIED MASTER DIAGNOSTIC SPECIALIST, ASE MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN, AND A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC COUNCIL, ORDER TECHNICIAN TO PERFORM SYSTEM CALIBRATION. NO ILLUMINATION OF INDICATORS/WARNING MESSAGES. MILEAGE 101,139. APRIL 11, 2012; THE FOLLOWING INDICATORS/WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED: BRAKE WEAR, SKID CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK VSC CAME BACK ON. MILEAGE 101,232. [XXX] PERFORMED AN HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE LEXUS GS 300 MAINTENANCE RECORD FROM Y2005 TO YTD AND PERFORMED AN IN-DEPTH DIAGNOSTIC. AS RECOMMENDED BY LEXUS TECHNICAL SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETINS DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES),[XXX] RECOMMENDED THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: 7.1 LB-SB-0087-08; DTCS P030# - CYLINDERS 1 ? 6 MISFIRE DETECTED 7.2 LB-SB-0092-09; DTCS P0172, P0175, AND P0037, REPLACE OXYGEN SENSORS AND COMPUTER 7.3 LB-SB-0069-11; DTCS P030# REPLACE, R & R PISTON RING SET 7.4 A960E ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION SYSTEM DTC P0761 SOLENOID; REPLACE AUTOMATIC TRANS ASSY, NOTE: THE MAINTENANCE HISTORY INDICATED THAT THE CYLINDERS MISFIRING OCCURRED ON AUGUST 25, 2009, AND NOVEMBER 30, 2011. TRANS SOLENOID DTC P0761 WAS DETECTED ON NOVEMBER 23, 2011 AND APRIL 9, 2012. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10483392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Lexus GS300 Athens, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR. I HEARD A LOUD BUZZING SOUND, MY BRAKE LIGHT, VSC ON AND OFF LIGHT CAME ON. I ALSO HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKING CAPABILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10456800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Lexus GS300 at 111,000 miles Dublin, OH Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 111,000.

NHTSA complaint #10398166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lexus GS300 at 79,000 miles Hialeah, FL Crash 3 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AS SHE APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE DID INTO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND AIR BAGS BUT DID NOT LOCATE A FAILURE WITH EITHER. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NOSE AND BACK AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THE BREAST DUE TO THE GRIP FROM THE SEAT BELTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 02/23/11

NHTSA complaint #10372661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Lexus GS300 problems